RAILS Member Update
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Add to Calendar 2026-02-11 15:00:00 2026-02-11 16:00:00 RAILS Member Update Zoom See event details. Online (See Body Text) L2 donotreply@librarylearning.org America/Chicago public
About This Event
On Wednesday, February 11, 3-4 p.m., we will host a RAILS Member Update. This event will feature three short presentations. A full agenda is available in Files section of this page below.
- Dan Montgomery, Executive Director of the American Library Association, will present on the future of ALA. We anticipate many questions for Dan, so we’ve created a question submission form. Preference will be given to questions submitted in advance. Please submit your question by Monday, February 9, at 5 p.m.
- Jennifer Drinka, Executive Director, and Jennifer Norris, Assistant Director of Operations, from Antioch Public Library District, will present on Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II web accessibility and what libraries need to know about the upcoming April 2026 deadline.
- Bree Kirsch, Head of Learning and Engagement, Associate Librarian, at Miami (OH) University, will present on the Illinois Libraries AI Ambassador Program, which was created to help libraries explore generative AI fundamentals, tools, and library applications.
All levels of staff from RAILS member libraries are invited to join us for this event on Zoom. After the event, a recording will be available on the RAILS YouTube page.
Daniel J. Montgomery is the Executive Director of the American Library Association (ALA). A longtime advocate for public education and workers’ rights, Montgomery previously led the 103,000-member Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT) as president and chief operating officer, overseeing policy, programs, and a statewide professional staff. Recognized for his commitment to public institutions and his ability to navigate diverse political environments, he brings deep experience in guiding complex, member-driven organizations. Montgomery holds an A.B. from the University of Michigan and an M.S.Ed. from Northwestern University.
Jennifer Drinka is the Executive Director of the Antioch Public Library District, her hometown library way up north on the Wisconsin border. She was named the ILA 2024 Librarian of the Year and has over 27 years of experience in public libraries throughout Chicagoland. The youngest of 10, Jennifer is a storyteller, writer, actor and self-proclaimed “Bird Lady” who spends her free time breathing new life into her family’s ancestral home, “The Blackbird Inn” in the north woods. Ms. Drinka leads compliance efforts at the Antioch Library to implement WCAG 2.1 and ensure all of the Library’s services, programs, and activities are accessible to persons with disabilities.
Jennifer Norris is the Assistant Director of Operations for the Antioch Public Library District. Jennifer has been with the Library for 18 years. She leads the Digital Accessibility Committee, which implemented the Resolution Agreement with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, and continues to research, create and implement best compliance practices moving forward. Additionally, Jennifer oversees the Library’s website and databases along with the Technical Services, Information Technology and Marketing & Communications departments.
Dr. Breanne Kirsch is the Head of Learning and Engagement, Associate Librarian at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. She is the founder and co-coordinator for the Generative AI in Libraries (GAIL) Conference. In addition to her MLIS, she has a PhD in education focused on instructional design and technology. Dr. Kirsch led the Illinois Libraries AI Ambassadors Program in 2025.