In This Issue
President's Corner ~ RILA Virtual Conference ~ RI Children's Book Awards
News from the RI Library Community ~ News from the Sections
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In May 1943, in the middle of World War II, the Rhode Island Library Association executive board voted to forego the annual meeting (conference) “due to conditions created by the war.” This could be the only other time in RILA’s history that the in-person conference has been cancelled. However, I am looking forward to seeing you all online as the RILA Conference Goes Virtual! Our conference committee has been hard at work preparing for an extraordinary experience for this year’s attendees, with two days of innovative and informative sessions. We will welcome two excellent keynote speakers, Julius Jefferson, the ALA President-Elect, and Susanne Schmidt, a producer of the
Moth Radio Hour
and renowned comedic story-teller. Thanks to a generous sponsorship from the Office of Library & Information Services, the cost to attend this year’s conference is free for RILA members. In May 1944, the RILA annual meeting was back in business, and it is my sincere hope that the same will be true for our conference in 2021!
Julie Holden, RILA President
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May 28-29: RILA's Annual Conference
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Registration is open now for the Rhode Island Library Association's 2020 Annual Conference. What a time for all of us to Think Outside the Books as the conference will be held virtually this year! RILA will be going live on May 28 and 29 via Zoom, with keynotes, breakout sessions and virtual networking opportunities for RILA members. Friday, May 29 has a youth/school focus, however some sessions and the keynote will be of general interest to everyone, so check out the draft schedule below!
Registrants for the virtual conference will receive access to both days of the conference as well as archived recordings of all conference sessions.
Thanks to a generous sponsorship from the Office of Library and Information Services, registration for this year's conference is free for RILA members and significantly discounted for non-members.
If you are able to and would like to help support RILA programs heading into 2021, please consider paying what you can in the form of a donation!
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Rhode Island Children's Book Award News
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RICBA Announces 2020 Book Award Winner
Story based on actual event tops list with 1,247 votes
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The 2020 Rhode Island Children's Book Award (RICBA) winner is
Inky's Amazing Escape: How a Very Smart Octopus Found His Way Home
by Sy Montgomery, with illustrations by Amy Schimler-Safford! This year 105 schools and libraries submitted votes from 8,169 students in grades 3-5 who read at least 3 titles from the list of 20 nominees.
Thank you to the many librarians and teachers who promoted the 2020 nominees and participated in voting.
Check out the
RICBA Award Winners and Nominees page for more details, including the breakdown of votes and the list of 2021 nominees. Thanks to all who participated!
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RICBA Committee Applications Now Being Accepted
Deadline to Apply Is June 22
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Ever wonder what goes into creating a RICBA nominee list? Looking for a professional development opportunity that puts you front and center with the newest and best books for children? Join the Rhode Island Children’s Book Award committee!
The Rhode Island Children's Book Award committee is now seeking:
- 1 public youth services librarian to serve a 3 year term, 2020-2023
- 1 school librarian who is a member of School Librarians of RI (SLRI) to serve a 3 year term, 2020-2023
- 1 teacher to serve a 3 year term, 2020-2023
Those interested are invited to complete the application by Monday, June 22. Applicants will be notified in early July regarding their application status for the term beginning in September 2020 and ending in April 2023.
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News from the Rhode Island Library Community
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Warwick Public Library Children’s Staff Gets Creativ
e
What Happens When Children’s Librarians Are Put on a Stay-at-Home Order?
Members of the Warwick Public Library (WPL) Children’s Department have used their natural creativity to reimagine how to deliver vital programs and services to their patrons during the coronavirus pandemic. Their
revamp of the Kids Page
on the Library’s website was created by Ellen O’Brien, Children’s Department Manager, and staff members Pam Miech, Christine Kayal, Andrea Hutnak, and Corey Paul, and features several ways that children and their families can stay connected to all that WPL has to offer even while staying at home.
In addition to recorded story times and Zoom book group meetings, the Children’s Librarians have brainstormed other activities that do not revolve around screen time. The
Spring Reading Program
started on April 1 and uses the Beanstack reading program tool. In addition to reading, participants are encouraged to complete various activities to earn badges. So far, 303 participants of all ages have logged over 28,000 minutes of reading and activities. Participation is not limited to just Warwick residents—interested patrons from all over the state may join in.
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URI Librarian Appears on Public Radio’s “Humankind” Program
About Evolution of Libraries
Host David Freudberg asks, “Is there a traffic jam on the information highway?”
Joanna Burkhardt, librarian and professor at the University of Rhode Island, was interviewed last spring by Public Radio’s David Freudberg for a four-part series called “Libraries Reimagined,” part of the long-running “Humankind” documentary project. The audio episodes and accompanying articles are now available on the Humanmedia.org website. Librarians and other experts from around the country discuss the wide range of evolving programs and services that libraries of all types provide for their users and communities and don’t shy away from the difficult situations librarians confront in order to provide access to everyone. Individual segments focus on “Information Age,” “Treasury of Learning,” “Early Literacy,” and “Digital Literacy,” where Burkhardt’s contribution concerning fake news and information overload appears.
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Cranston Public Library Launches New Podcast
Episodes Feature Books, Movies, TV, Pop Culture, and More
The Cranston Public Library now has a podcast, Down Time with the Cranston Public Library! Host Tayla Cardillo (Oak Lawn Branch Librarian) and two guests from the library staff will discuss what they've been reading, watching, and what's been bringing them a little joy lately. Podcast episodes are released every Tuesday and can be found on Google Podcasts, Spotify, Breaker, Radio Public, Pocket Casts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Recent episodes have featured discussions of webcomics, Canadian TV, CosTube, Dungeons & Dragons, National Poetry Month, streaming theater, audiobooks, virtual concerts, and more.
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Coalition of Library Advocates (COLA)
COLA is the section of RILA where library supporters and library users can really make their voices heard.
Please consider adding the COLA section to your RILA membership and getting the word out to your Library Boards and Friends groups to join COLA.
COLA offers programs and annual cash awards to any Friends groups who introduce new and successful programs or services that enhance their library patrons' lives.
COLA is actively recruiting new members so we can expand our advocacy, education, and public awareness mission.
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School Librarians of Rhode Island (SLRI)
SLRI provides leadership and support for school library media professionals and support staff in the development, promotion, improvement, and evaluation of school library media, computer, and instructional technology programs in all Rhode Island schools.
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The Rhode Island Library Association
is a professional organization that serves its members through career development, education, advocacy, networking partnerships, and legislative action.
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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 include publishing the RILA Bulletin, managing social media platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter, and exploring other media as needed.
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