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The Rhode Island Library Association
is a professional association of Librarians, Library Staff, Trustees, and library supporters whose purpose is to promote the profession of librarianship and to improve the visibility, accessibility, responsiveness and effectiveness of library and information
services throughout
Rhode Island.
Contact us at:
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Fall is finally here, and the colors of the leaves aren't the only things changing! Lots of new things are happening here in the Rhode Island library world.
The President's Corner will now feature the new RILA President, Kieran Ayton. He shares how RILA will be looking ahead in the coming year.
Looking to get involved in the library community? OLIS will be starting three new roundtables, Digital Innovations, Special Collections, and Urban Libraries. See below for details and how to get involved in these new initiatives.
And finally, new things are also happening with the RILA bulletin. After many years, we will be stepping down as Communications Committee Co-chairs.
Rachael Juskuv will be your new bulletin editor and committee chair. Have news or ideas for articles? You can reach her at
[email protected].
Andria Tieman Michney and Brandi Fong
RILA Communications Committee Co-Chairs
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President's Corner
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My name is Kieran Ayton and I am the new RILA President for the 2017-19 term. I am very excited to be taking on this leadership role in our rich organization. I am the Emerging Technologies Librarian at the Rhode Island College Library. Over the course of my career, I have worked in all types of libraries including academic, public and special libraries.
This year and next year will bring about many new initiatives as RILA embarks on an extensive strategic planning process, working with the ESC of New England consultants. In a few weeks, we will be sending out a survey to the entire RI library community to gather feedback on how RILA can continue to grow and improve. Please stay tuned for more information!
Please feel free to contact me at any time using the
[email protected]
email with thoughts, comments, concerns, or questions about RILA. I look forward to working with you!
Kieran Ayton
RILA President, 2017-19
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OLIS Update
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The Office of Library and Information Services (OLIS) welcomed Jason M. Bloom as a Library Program Manager on September 5. Previously, Jason served as Director for the Middleborough Public Library in Middleborough, Massachusetts. He has also been the Assistant Director/Head of Technology & User Experience for the Ames Free Library in Easton, MA, where he helped launch the Queset House, a stand-alone makerspace, learning lab, program hub, and frequent home to authors-in-residence. Jason also worked in adult services and young adult services at the Norwell (MA) Public Library and in the interlibrary loan department at Providence College's Phillips Memorial Library.
At OLIS, he will be managing the area of local library development and direct services to libraries, while working with Library Program Manager Donna DiMichele to support various OLIS initiatives.
In May, OLIS Nicolette Baffoni joined OLIS as Adult Services Coordinator to focus OLIS' work on strengthening and supporting programs for adult education, workforce development and learning in libraries. Prior to joining OLIS, Nicolette served as a school library media specialist in Burrillville, Rhode Island at the Austin T. Levy Elementary School. In addition to teaching K-5 library and technology classes, she helped to develop and deliver technology training for teachers in support of the district's technology initiatives. Nicolette has also held positions at public and academic libraries. From 2016-2017, she served as a Fuse Fellow through the Highlander Institute to support and guide blended learning initiatives focusing on the use of technology to promote equitable and personalized learning. She also serves on the Friends group at her local public library.
Nicolette holds a bachelor's degree in English from Brown University and a Master of Library and Information Science from the University of Rhode Island.
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OLIS awards $5,000 in scholarships
In August, OLIS provided $500 scholarships to four public library directors and staff members to attend the Research Institute for Public Libraries (RIPL) held in Maine. Recipients were: Ryan Brennan, Deputy Director, North Kingstown Library; Ann Grealish-Rust, Director, Tiverton Library; Amy E. Neilson, Director, Exeter Library; and Karisa Tashjian, Director of Education, Providence Public Library. At the RIPL Institute, 50 New England public library leaders learned about: designing outcome-based evaluation of programs and services; assessing community needs; techniques for tracking public library data and using data and stories to document the impact of libraries.
On October 18, RIPL attendees will share what they learned and how they have been applying it at their library. They'll share practical tips and tools you can try out and that fit into RI public libraries' context. Have some assessment or planning questions? Come ask the panel, as they are certain to have learned about some techniques and resources they can pass along. Full program details on the
OLIS CE schedule.
OLIS awarded $500 scholarships to six librarians to defray expenses for the
Futures Conference scheduled for September 25-26 in Atlantic City, NJ. Recipients were: Darshell Silva, Librarian and Technology Integration Specialist, Rocky Hill School; Lee-Ann Galli, Reference and Technology Librarian, Narragansett Public Library; Jana Stevenson, Deputy Director, Warwick Public Library; Melissa Chiavaroli, Reference Services Coordinator, Cumberland Public Library; Emily Goodman, Community Services Coordinator, Tiverton Public Library and URI-GSLIS student; and Lori Brostuen, Director of Library systems, Redwood Library and Athenaeum. More than 325 people registered for the Conference to explore ideas including:
- strategic foresight
- the future intersection of technology, science, innovation and media
- the role of library architecture in the future of library services
- the convergence of information and society that is driving disruptive and accelerating change, creative development, branding, and strategic communications, and how to be safe in the age of big data, and virtual reality.
Scholarship recipients will share their experiences from the Library Futures Conference on October 25. Find program details on the
OLIS CE schedule.
Three new Roundtables are being organized by OLIS to support the library community.
The "Digital Innovation Roundtable" will connect library staff from all types of libraries, who provide digital services and instruction to their communities, for purposes of discussion, resource sharing, peer education and collaboration. If you have an interest in emerging technology in libraries, digital literacy, technology instruction and other community-facing digital services, this is for you!
Rhode Island library staff who have responsibility for special collections don't have many opportunities to connect with others who are working with these materials. OLIS wants to change that by convening a "Special Collections Roundtable" to connect staff from all types of libraries who have responsibility for the care and access of unique special collections and to create a community where they can connect and discuss challenges, opportunities, best practices and current trends in the field.
The "Urban Libraries Roundtable" will convene around topics and issues that influence urban libraries and examine related emerging trends and creative innovations. Participants will look outward to identify innovations that can evolve when libraries, local government and community organizations work together to transform the libraries' roles in creating thriving communities. Join us - everyone from any RI library is welcome.
You can sign up for any of the roundtables on the
OLIS CE page.
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Rhode Island Open Textbook Initiative: Year One
By Dragan Gill
Rhode Island Open Textbook Steering Committee Co-Chair
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One year ago, on
September 27th, the governor announced a five-year challenge to save college students in Rhode Island $5 million dollars in textbook costs. Librarians took the lead, forming a steering committee to plan education, training and support for the initiative.
We can now report a savings of $426,608 through 65 courses adopting open textbooks or open educational resources, across the 11 participating institutions. An amazing rally in response to the need to make higher education more affordable.
As the steering committee continue our own education into topics such as Creative Commons licensing, open-enabled pedagogy and addressing accessibility we're partnering across campus offices and departments to engage faculty to understand the power of open more deeply. Look for further workshops and training sessions across the state or on your campus throughout the coming year.
We encourage all librarians to become knowledgeable about these topics and to work with your libraries and faculty members in building this initiative. Find your steering committee member and more about the initiative here: http://www.innovate.ri.gov/opentextbook and get involved in your campus activities.
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Resources in Social Justice for Youth Services
by Brandi Fong
South Kingstown Public Library, Youth & Teen Services
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Racism. Poverty. Religion. Gender. Immigration. Equality. Empathy.
These can be tough topics to broach with kids and teens (and parents). Libraries though, are for everyone and part of our jobs is to not only make sure people know that, but also provide diverse resources to support it. Knowing where to start can feel overwhelming, especially when you want to make sure you are picking resources that are examples of good representation.
Thankfully, there are many resources you can turn to when you need help. From preschoolers to teenagers, here are some of the best resources out there.
If you run storytimes in your library, a great resource to start with is Storytime Underground's Social Justice kit. It explains why it's important for librarians to be creating intentionally inclusive programs that celebrate diversity, with examples of books, flannels, songs, and other activities. Need practice with this approach? Start small and incorporate just one of their book or song suggestions into your regular storytime routine, then expand from there.
If you work with teens, Teen Librarian Toolbox has a wealth of information. Ranging from booklists, to programming and information for reflection, social justice posts include an array of topics including how to engage teens, feminism, GLBTQA+ rights, socio-economic diversity and more, all searchable with #SJYALit.
Finally, there are multiple websites that highlight books that can be shared with your patrons, create book displays and lists, find books for book groups and other programs.
- Social Justice Books provides not only booklists for a wide range of topics and ages, it also provides information on selecting anti-bias children's books, book reviews, and best practices programming.
- We Need Diverse Books "recognizes all diverse experiences, including (but not limited to) LGBTQIA, Native, people of color, gender diversity, people with disabilities, and ethnic, cultural, and religious minorities,", and provides a wealth of books to support that mission.
- Cooperative Children's Book Center has created a list that highlights Paths to Peace and Roads of Heartbreak, showcasing titles to not only build empathy, but also encourage actions for change.
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News From the Field
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Providence Public Library
PPL Special Collections Receives $63,660 from National Historical Publications and Records Commission
Grant Will Support Processing & Preservation of AS220 Organizational Records
Providence Public Library (PPL) has received a $63,660 grant from the National Archives' National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC). The grant, awarded through NHPRC's Access to Historical Records: Archival Projects funding category, will support PPL's effort to process and catalog AS220's extensive organizational records, making them readily available to researchers and the public for the first time.
The Special Collections Department at PPL recently acquired the organizational archives of AS220, a nationally recognized arts organization in Providence, Rhode Island. AS220 is credited as a national model for urban revitalization and in its advocacy for the role of artists and art practice within community development. AS220's archives encompass thirty years of unduplicated organizational records including the creative output of artists, performers and musicians who have used their venues to create and showcase their work. Not only are these unique and valuable cultural records not currently being properly preserved to ensure their longevity and continued viability, they are not currently accessible to researchers or the local community in general. The one-year project will result in this important resource being housed in PPL's Special Collections Department where researchers, patrons, and the public can access it freely during regular library hours.
AS220's role in distinguishing the City of Providence as the "creative capital" of New England cannot be overstated. Its galleries and performance spaces have hosted internationally known artists, musicians, and performers for over 93,000 visitors a year. It also provides affordable work spaces for a thriving artistic community enabling local artists, musicians and performers to create, show and sell their work.
According to Kate Wells, Rhode Island Collections Curator, "The privilege of preserving and providing access to the AS220 Collection has long been a dream for Providence Public Library, which has a mission to preserve the city's cultural history in its Rhode Island Collection. The creative output of AS220 is both a time capsule of Providence history and a testament to AS220's work to support the city's artistic spirit and social justice values."
The project, expected to total almost $100,000, will also be supported by PPL operational funds and individual donors.
Providence Community Library
Rhode Island's "Poetry in Motion" Program Launches at
Rochambeau Library
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RI State Poet Laureate Tina Kane Alice Quinn of The Poetry Society of America on board the RIPTA bus at the "Poetry in Motion" launch.
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PCL was delighted to welcome Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) and poet Tina Cane to an event marking the launch of the Poetry in Motion in Rhode Island. The event took place, appropriately, on a RIPTA bus, parked outside Rochambeau Library! Through Poetry in Motion, public transport users will be able to read and contemplate poems and extracts of poems on the digital display boards inside about half of RIPTA's fixed-route bus fleet. The program originated in New York in 1992 and has since spread to other areas and municipalities.
New Learning Lounge to Open in South Providence
Providence Community Library is partnering with Providence Public Library to bring the Workforce Development Learning Lounge to South Providence Library. The Learning Lounge offers technology enabled learning on a weekly basis to adults looking to acquire or improve skills from online job search to basic computer use to reading, writing, and math. Drop-ins are encouraged and no appointments required. The Learning Lounge will be open Wednesdays from October 4 10:00AM -12:00PM at 441 Prairie Avenue.
New Bilingual Storytelling Group is Part of PCL's Programming for Hispanic Heritage Month
PCL has partnered with Project Crisol to create Respect Yourself, Respect Ourselves, a bilingual storytelling workshop series for aspiring young writers aged 6-12. Participants will be
coached in crafting and telling stories in compelling ways and in listening to each other's stories in a respectful way. The workshops take place at South Providence Library on Saturdays, September 9 & 23, October 14 & 21, November 4 10:00AM-11:30AM. For more information, contact Carolina 401-467-2700 x 1608.
Other programs include crafts and Latin American movie screenings. South Providence is a partner site for the 2017 Providence Latin American Film Festival and will screen El Techo (On the Roof, 2016, Cuba) on September 26 at 7:00PM. For more information about Hispanic Heritage Month at PCL, visit
http://www.provcomlib.org/blog/pcl-celebrates-hispanic-heritage-month.
 Save the date: PCL's Second Annual Mini Golf Fundraiser
On Saturday, November 4 we'll be turning Rochambeau Library into a mini golf course for the day as we raise funds for our youth education programming. Family golf from 1:00PM-5:00PM is just $5 per person, payable on the door. From 7:00PM-10:00PM, there will be a grown-up golf party, with wine, beer, food and additional entertainment from DJ Andy Morris. Tickets for the golf party are $30, or $27 if purchased in advance via www.provcomlib.org/golf.
Rhode Island College
- Kieran Ayton, Rhode Island College Emerging Technologies Librarian and Interim Head of Digital Initiatives has been promoted to Associate Professor and has been granted Tenure.
- Andy Davis, Rhode Island College Digital Initiatives Technician returns to the library, now full-time, this fall.
- Linda McEnery, Rhode Island College Cataloging Assistant, retired this June after 44 years at the library. The library celebrated with a party on her last day and thanks her for her dedication.
- Renovations to level 1A and the main level of the library have brought new furniture to student study spaces as well as upgrades to the building's facade. Campus greening programs improved lighting and windows to reduce energy waste.
Community College of Rhode Island
CCRI has hired 27 new full time tenure track faculty this year. A few began in the Spring 2017 semester. The college held a 2 day new faculty orientation program for the new faculty.
The college has instituted a new mentoring program pairing tenured faculty with new faculty.
The main entrance to the campus has been redesigned, with the addition of a round-about to better control the traffic pattern.
On the OER front, CCRI is making progress. The greatest change is with our College Success class, LRCT 1020. We have moved from a $131 text to an Open Textbook Library text. The savings will be dramatic for students.
Cranston Public Library
CPL Receives $10,000 Grant from RI Foundation for Pop-Up Library
On July 12, the Rhode Island Foundation announced the 30 recipients of this year's Community Grants at a press conference at Chase Farm Park in Lincoln, Rhode Island. Among the attendees were representatives from Cranston Public Library, which was awarded $10,000 in grant funds for the development of a pop-up library.
This mobile library cart, designed and fabricated by the
Uni Project, will bring library resources into the community by transporting books and seating to playgrounds, basketball courts, bus stops, farmers markets, shopping centers, and other community events and programs.
Fresh Start to School-Aged Children Across the City
This school year, the Cranston Public Library, the Cranston Public School Department, and the Mayor's Office have teamed up to make sure that every student in Cranston has a working library card with the " Fresh Start" initiative.
Mayor Allan W. Fung, Library Director Ed Garcia, and Superintendent Jeannine Nota-Masse accepted the Leaders Library Card Challenge, launched by President Obama in 2015, and the resulting program, "Fresh Start," will begin September 2017.
"Our goal is to eliminate some of the barriers young people encounter when using the library," explained Library Director, Ed Garcia.
Issues like resolving fines, replacing lost or expired cards, or even signing up for a library card for the first time, require trips to the library. Fresh Start removes this complication by allowing parents and students to simply fill out a form and submit it to their school librarian to get what they need.
"Once you have a library card, you can ask homework questions on Tutor.com, come to the library to research and print your assignments, and check out a book at
midnight
if you need to, using the eZone," said Cranston Public Library's Youth Services Coordinator, Emily Brown.
Fresh Start forms can be used for any of the following purposes:
Cranston Public Library is pleased to welcome Sue McClintock
to the position of Cataloging Librarian.
In this new role Sue will be responsible for all aspects of cataloging and processing new materials into the library collection and managing the Technical Services Department.
Sue began her new position at the Central Library on August 9.
Cranston Public Library is pleased to
welcome Zach Berger
to the position of Reference Librarian at the Central Library. Berger will begin in his new position on Monday, September 11.
ILART
Have you developed a great Info Lit technique, tutorial, or guide that you'd like to share? Tell us your story. Submit a proposal for a Lightning Talk at the fifth annual "October is Information Literacy Month" Celebration:
Theme: EVALUATE: Separating Fact from Fiction in the Media Morass
Date: Wednesday, October 25, 2017
Time: 4 - 6 pm
What to expect:
A Lightning Talk is an informal, fast-paced presentation that gives you the opportunity to share your work, make connections, and build new skills and presentation techniques - all in five short minutes! "Fake News" may be so 2016, but good evaluation skills never go out of style. We want to know about the success you've had developing or adapting a particular lesson, teaching technique, or instructional tool in a public, school, academic or special library setting. Following Lightning Talk rounds, presenters will be asked to join a brief Q & A panel.
Proposal Guidelines Format:
Lightning Talk presentations must be kept to a maximum of 5 minutes. In 150 words or less, please provide a brief description of your proposed lightning talk, including a link to any relevant tutorials, Libguides, or other online resources. Give a short explanation of how your presentation will relate to the event theme. You will be notified via email if your proposal has been selected.
Proposal Deadline: Friday, October 6, 2017
Presenters will be notified of successful proposals by Wednesday, October 11, 2017
Library Libations
The Rhode Island Library Association and the New England Library Association invite you to the third Library Libations after work event on
Tuesday, Oct. 3 at 6 pm. Come and visit with your colleagues, off the desk! We will meet at Ogie's Trailer Park in Providence for the Tiki bar and retro food (mac & cheese croquettes, anyone?). Ogie's
Tuesday
trivia nights begin at
8 pm, for those who want to stay and show off their library smarts.
Ogie's Trailer Park
1155 Westminster St.
Providence, RI
http://www.ogiestrailerpark.com
Hosted by your NELA state representative, Jessica D'Avanza. Please RSVP via the RILA Facebook event or email
[email protected]
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NELA's Annual Conference takes place
Oct. 22 to 24
at the Sheraton in Burlington, VT. Come and "Recharge 2017" with keynote presenter Richard Moniz, author of
The Mindful Librarian.
http://conference2017.nelib.org
Cornucopia of Rhode Island
Please make plans to join Cornucopia of Rhode Island: A Library Community of Color at their annual fall mini conference
A Source of Peace: Libraries & Immigration - The Real News
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for an engaging presentation as we share informative initiatives and best practices of how area libraries are working with immigrants in their local communities. Examples of current workshops, programs and services will be highlighted.
Keynote Speaker: Christopher Bourret, Rhode Island Family Literacy Initiative
Featuring: Dean Watts, Rising Sun Jiu-Jitsu
Demonstration by students from Rising Sun Jiu Jitsu
Thursday, November 2, 2017, 5:30 P. M.
The Rhode Island State House, State Room, 2nd floor
82 Smith Street
Providence, Rhode Island
Free and open to the public. Light Refreshments, free parking.
(When the General Assembly is not in session, parking is available in the lower legislative lot off of Smith Street on a first-come-first-served basis.)
This event is co-sponsored by the Rhode Island Coalition of Library Advocates.
Naval War College
The Naval War College Library is hosting the next Consortium of Rhode Island Academic and Research Libraries (CRIARL) Government Documents Committee Meeting on November 3rd, 2017, at 2pm.
Rhode Island College
- Kieran Ayton, Rhode Island College Emerging Technologies Librarian and Interim Head of Digital Initiatives has been promoted to Associate Professor and has been granted Tenure.
- Andy Davis, Rhode Island College Digital Initiatives Technician returns to the library, now full-time, this fall.
- Linda McEnery, Rhode Island College Cataloging Assistant, retired this June after 44 years at the library. The library celebrated with a party on her last day and thanks her for her dedication.
- Renovations to level 1A and the main level of the library have brought new furniture to student study spaces as well as upgrades to the building's facade. Campus greening programs improved lighting and windows to reduce energy waste.
Rhode Island Foundation
Rhode Island Foundation offers workshops for board development
If your library board could use an infusion of training for board development, the RI Foundation Initiative for Nonprofit Excellence is offering free workshops this fall. A series of networking breakfasts for board chairs, as well as programs on succession planning, fundamentals of board service, and taking a board from good to great highlight the fall schedule. More information is on the
RIF website.
URI GSLIS/ Media Smart Libraries
GSLIS is pleased to announce two new tenure-track faculty this year: Assistant Professor Dr. Mary Moen, the School Library Media Coordinator, and Assistant Professor Dr. Melissa Villa-Nicholas, who studies the intersection of race/class/gender and information studies. GSLIS is delighted to welcome these tenure-track colleagues to our faculty.
Also, from the IMLS funded, Media Smart Libraries Grant awarded to GSLIS:
Media Smart Libraries congratulates the following librarians for completing the digital badge program. They each received a digital kit worth $1000 so they can bring what they learned back to their library. Check out the
Media Smart Libraries website to read about their learning. The Media Smart Libraries series of continuing education workshops will continue to be offered through OLIS and the URI Graduate School of Library and Information Studies even after the grant ends in 2017. Many thanks to the hundreds of librarians who have attended the workshops and to those libraries that hosted events, for making the continuing education workshops a success. Please email
[email protected] if you would like to suggest any workshop topics for the future.
Cynthia Alexandre, Goff Middle School, Pawtucket
Kathi Barker, Colt Andrews Elementary
Emily Brown, Cranston Public Library
Sunny Dennis, Wickford Middle School
Jennifer-Lee Gasrow, Jesse M. Smith Memorial Library
Jamie Greene, Sowams Elementary School
Sarah Hunicke, Portsmouth High School
Anne Kilkenny, Providence Public Library
Kat Lynch, Meadowbrook Farms Elementary
Kristin Mitchell, West Warwick Public Schools
Karen Mueller, Libraries of Foster
Donna Ouellette, Lincoln Public Schools
Elise Petrarca, William Hall Library, Cranston
Kristin Polseno, Mt. St. Charles Academy
Sandra Savella, Warwick Public Schools
Jennifer Simoneau, Ponaganset Middle School
Lori Tait, Libraries of Foster
Tasha White, William D'abate Elementary School
Bevin Winner, Exeter West Greenwich Jr/Sr High School
Esther Wolk, Tiogue and Hopkins Hill Elementary Schools
Distribution to Underserved Communities Library Program
Dear teachers and librarians,
Start off the school year with a new collection of free art books! Place your order of free books through A.R.T.'s Distribution to Underserved Communities Library Program (D.U.C.).
The D.U.C. provides public schools and libraries with free books on contemporary art and culture. All public institutions who self-define as underserved are eligible to place annual, unrestricted orders. Visit our website to create an account and view our book catalog here: http://www.artresourcestransfer.org/duc.
This year, the D.U.C.'s catalog includes 450 titles by 152 publishers. We also encourage you to use our free online teaching guides to develop educational activities related to D.U.C. books: http://resources.artresourcestransfer.org/
To receive updates on new books and educational resources, subscribe to our newsletter here: http://artresourcestransfer.us10.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=ee16e6d72a490f88a455d4587&id=f5b94c9593
Please do reach out with any questions or suggestions as to how we can better serve you and your readers.
With best wishes,
Art Resources Transfer
www.artresourcestransfer.org
D.U.C. Library Program
Art Resources Transfer
+1 (212) 255 2919
526 W 26th Street, #614
New York, NY
artresourcestransfer.org
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 The RILA Bulletin is produced by the RILA Communications Committee. The RILA Communications Committee is responsible for publicizing and supporting Rhode Island Library Association activities using a variety of communication tools. Responsibilities including publishing the RILA Bulletin, managing social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, and exploring other mediums as needed. The Communications Committee may cooperate with the publicity efforts of the Public Relations Committee to promote library services statewide.
Rhode Island Library Association members can contribute content to the RILA Bulletin by emailing the editors: [email protected]
Andria Tieman & Brandi Fong
Rhode Island Library Association |
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