Reaching Across Illinois Library System Appoints Monica Harris as Executive Director

Unanimous Endorsement Follows Nationwide Search

RAILS Libraries

The Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS) Board appointed Monica Harris as RAILS Executive Director, effective immediately. Harris first joined RAILS as Associate Executive Director in January 2020. In this role, she provided strategic and functional oversight for several departments, including Consulting and Continuing Education, Delivery and Facilities, Human Resources, and Library Resources and Programs. She also led the development and implementation of the 2022-2025 RAILS Strategic Plan.

Harris succeeds Deirdre Brennan, who retired from RAILS in November. Harris has been serving as Interim Executive Director since that time. Her appointment comes after an extensive nationwide selection process by the board.

Prior to joining RAILS, Harris served as Deputy Director and Executive Director of Schaumburg Township District Library. She also worked as a Teen Librarian, Youth Services Manager, and Customer Service Manager in public libraries in Illinois and Michigan.

"The importance of our Executive Director's leadership in serving nearly 1,300 member libraries cannot be overstated," said RAILS Board President Alex Vancina. "The board conducted a thoughtful and thorough search to find the best candidate to continue to lead RAILS and our member libraries into the future. We are confident and thrilled to have Monica in this position."

Harris is involved with several statewide and national organizations, including the Association of Illinois School Library Educators (AISLE), the Illinois Library Association (ILA), the Public Library Association (PLA), and the American Library Association (ALA), where she currently serves as Councilor at Large. She also serves as Executive Committee Treasurer for the Libraries of Illinois Risk Agency (LIRA).

"Monica brings great enthusiasm and a passionate, future-focused attitude to our mission of connecting libraries. Her collaborative leadership style will guide the staff and members through upcoming projects and goals, and help navigate the various challenges libraries face today," said Vancina.

As executive director, Harris' immediate plans including building and strengthening relationships with RAILS' statewide partners, continuing RAILS' commitment to leadership in resource sharing and future-focused solutions, and developing initiatives and resources to support members' equity, diversity, accessibility, and inclusion practices.

About RAILS:

RAILS serves approximately 1,300 public, private, school, and university/college libraries across a 27,000 square mile area in northern and west-central Illinois.