In This Issue
Executive Notes ~ Spotlight on Cornucopia of Rhode Island ~ CORI Mini-Conference ~ Impact Live ~ RILA Mentorship Program ~ 2022 RI Latino Book Awards ~ Networking and Volunteer Opportunities ~ News from RI Libraries
|
|
Executive Notes
Greetings to all,
As we continue through this year, the RILA board continues to have conversations that pertain to our strategic goals. It’s been neat to see the ideation and brainstorming that our board has.
Here are some of the ideas that people have:
- RILA swag when you become a member
- More open spaces to connect and be real with our challenges in our workspaces, especially within the past year.
- Listing the discounts that you can get with a RILA membership
We are looking for people to build and create these types of membership perks. Are you someone who feels that they could contribute? Contact at the emails listed below.
|
|
Rachael Juskuv, RILA President
|
|
Beatrice Pulliam, RILA Vice President
|
|
Spotlight on: Cornucopia of Rhode Island (CORI)
Welcome to the RILA Bulletin Spotlight Series, where we feature the important work of a different RILA or RI library section, committee, roundtable, initiative, or organization in each issue.
This month, with its fall mini-conference taking place right around the corner, we talked to Cornucopia of Rhode Island (CORI) Chair Bohyun Kim to learn more about this RILA section. Bohyun is Chief Technology Officer and Professor at the University of Rhode Island Libraries, Kingston, Rhode Island.
What is the mission or purpose of CORI?
CORI serves the library community of color in RI. Our objectives are to promote library services to people of color within Rhode Island and the development of librarians and library staff of color.
What made you personally interested in being involved with this organization?
CORI is the organization serving the library workers of color in RI. Through CORI, I wanted to meet other POC library workers like me and add my efforts to building our community and making it stronger.
What is CORI’s proudest achievement?
We hold a mini-conference every year that is free and open to all. And this year, it will be on Nov 4. [Editor’s note: see next article.]
|
|
Register for Cornucopia of Rhode Island's Fall Mini-Conference, Thursday, November 4, 2021
Join Cornucopia of Rhode Island for its annual fall min-conference. This year's FREE, virtual conference is titled "Empowering Rhode Island Communities Through History and Service." Learn how you can make a difference by bringing community experts, parents, teachers, and other caregivers together and sharing best practices to facilitate growth and learning.
This year, we will provide ideas for hosting and promoting inclusive programs for all ages:
- 2:00 pm: Opening Remarks from Bohyun Kim, Chair of Cornucopia of Rhode Island
- 2:05 pm: Panel Discussion: Building Strong Communities: How We Can Better Serve Families with Individuals on the Autism Spectrum Disorder
- 3:00pm: Peter Fay: Jamestown Mariners of Color: From Bondage to Boat Steerer
Click below to learn more and to register.
|
|
Rhode Island Represents at Gale Impact Live Virtual Conference
Rhode Island librarians were well represented at the Gale Impact Live 2021 Conference on September 29th and 30th. The free virtual conference offered more than 20 sessions of professional development for public librarians. The conference was held live, but was also recorded so attendees could view the sessions after it ended.
The theme of the conference was “Connect. Inspire. Elevate.” It focused on the ways libraries adapted to provide services to their communities in the face of building closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The speakers came from libraries around the country and addressed topics including advocacy, business development, programming, and diversity and inclusivity. Both days offered a midday meditation break led by a wellness professional.
|
|
RILA Mentorship Program Now Accepting Applications for 2022!
The RILA Mentorship Program is finishing its first year to great success. We had 15 mentor/mentee pairs (30 participants total). We are now accepting applications for both Mentors and Mentees for the 2022 year.
Mentoring is a wonderful opportunity to make a difference in the life of another person and to gain new insights into our rich profession. You can give and receive guidance and take your career to the next level. Please join our program today to develop lasting professional relationships with others in the field.
To be a part of the RILA Mentorship Program:
- You must be a current RILA member.
- You may be a library employee, retired librarian, or current library school student.
- You must make a 1-year commitment that includes meeting with your mentor/mentee at least 3 or 4 times per year by phone, email, web conferencing, or in-person meeting.
Click the button below to read the full program guidelines and fill out an application.
|
|
Announcing the 2022 RI Latino Books Award Nominees
The newly formed Rhode Island Latino Books Award Committee is proud to announce the 2022 RI Latino Books Award (formerly known as Rhode Island Latino Books Month Book Award) Nominees.
We are going on our eighth year promoting Latino literature for kindergarten through 12th grade. Students are encouraged to read three books according to their grade level and vote for their favorite book starting in April through the end of May. Free book sets are provided to Rhode Island public libraries and school libraries in partnership with the Rhode Island Center for the Book. Participants interested in receiving free book sets must promote the nominated books and submit their students’ or patrons' votes.
Join us in promoting Latino literature by bringing communities together to celebrate diversity and encourage people to embrace our differences.
|
|
Networking & Volunteer Opportunities
RILA has some open opportunities for people who are interested in leading, building, and networking in the RI library community. See below for the specific opportunities and email president@rilibraries.org and veep@rilibraries.org to volunteer.
Information Literacy Action Round Table (3-6 people leading, 20 members)
-
Manage the digital resources on the ILART webpages
- Create at least one programming event per year that builds information literacy resources for librarians
- Build the ILART community in all libraries (public, academic, school, health, and special) with networking events
- Attend RILA board meetings (bi-monthly)
Intellectual Freedom Committee
-
Join the ALA State Intellectual Freedom Network (SIF Net) to keep RILA informed and connected nationally
- Create at least one programming event per year that gives RILA members resources, education, and networking regarding intellectual freedom
- Attend RILA board meetings (bi-monthly)
Membership Committee (multiple opportunities, each task below would be 1 or 2 people)
- Networking with local businesses to build and create benefits (discounts, incentives) for RILA members
- Two (2) or 3 members creating a programming section in membership, building events and networking sessions
- Work with other members of the membership committee to brainstorm and build
|
|
News from the Rhode Island Library Community
|
|
Joseph Uscio Concludes a Nearly 38-Year Career at the North Providence Union Free Library
After nearly 38 years working as a reference librarian at the North Providence Union Free Library, Joseph Uscio counts the past year and half as his most memorable time spent working in the public library. Click below to read more.
|
|
Pawtucket Opens Its New Teen Center
The Pawtucket Public Library opened its new Teen Center this month. Funding for the construction, furnishings, and equipment came from the Champlin Foundation, RI Foundation, Rotary Club of Pawtucket and Central Falls, Friends of the Pawtucket Public Library, and the City of Pawtucket. Stop by if you would like to have a tour!
|
|
Woonsocket Library Summer Celebration
This year, on August 26th, the Woonsocket Harris Public Library had a great program to celebrate its summer readers.
The Library partnered with the Woonsocket Rotary club and YMCA who provided food, adult volunteers, and tents.
Teens volunteered to get community service credit for school.
This was a new program and new partnership. Both local papers came and took photos. Looking forward to more new programs and partnerships.
|
|
Pascoag Free Public Library to Host 150th Anniversary Soiree!
Pascoag Public Library is celebrating a Sesquicentennial (150 years) this year -- 1871-2021.
The library will welcome people from all over Rhode Island to the Soiree on October 22, 2021 from 6:30 to 9:00 pm. Hors d'oeuvres, punch, coffee, and an anniversary cake will accompany congratulatory testimonials.
|
|
News from Cranston Public Library
Cranston Public Library Holds Library Card Design Contest
In honor of Library Card Sign-Up Month, the Cranston Public Library held a library card design contest. Entrants to the contest could have their artwork featured on a limited edition Cranston Public Library card.
CPL Receives $29,500 Health Outreach Grant from the National Library of Medicine
The Cranston Public Library recently received a $29,500 Health Outreach grant from the National Library of Medicine under a cooperative agreement with the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester. This grant will be used for programming and outreach specifically to provide health information in languages other than English, as well as train staff on how to find resources for those in the community who have no or limited English skills. The project, entitled "Healthy Families at the Cranston Public Library," aims to collaborate with partners in the community such as the OneCranston Health Equity Zone.
|
|
Play, Learn, and Grow at the Greenville Public Library
Early Literacy Backpacks are a welcome new addition to the Children's Room at Greenville Public Library!
The six Early Literacy Backpacks were added to the collection this past summer utilizing 2021 LORI Summer Reading Mini-Grant funds. The themes are: Colors, Counting, Dinosaurs, Ocean, On the Farm, and Things that Go. Each backpack contains a book, puzzle, related educational toy, laminated activity document, and a contents list with photos.
Children and their families quickly discovered this fantastic new addition to the Children’s Room, and they are often all checked out! The library has had to create a waiting list so families can register to borrow them when they are returned.
Caregivers have shared the following comments with the youth services librarians: “My child really enjoys wearing the backpack all around the house and yard. When family comes over to visit him, he proudly shows them what can be found inside." "My four year old son has two older siblings who go to school. He thinks the backpack is his 'school' setting up the contents at the kitchen table as he plays and reads the book."
The library is currently working on assembling six more early literacy backpacks and are looking forward to sharing them with its young patrons!
|
|
Popping Up Around Warwick
What do a playground, a senior center, and a food truck night have in common? A visit from the Pop-Up Library!
A pop-up library was one of the ideas listed by OLIS for the 2021 LORI Summer Reading Mini-Grants. Warwick Library staff loved the idea and were granted the funds to make it happen!
Over the summer, staff from all departments loaded their vehicles with everything they needed to bring their services on the road. They tagged it “Your Library Where You Are.”
Staff signed up folks for the library's all ages Summer Reading Challenge, made new library cards, provided reader’s advisory, and checked out books and DVDs.
Hoping to serve several pockets and populations of the city, Library staff visited The imPOSSIBLE Dream Playground, the Warwick Senior Center, the Westbay Farm Farmers Market, Oakland Beach, and a Food Truck Night hosted by the city.
Staff members were excited to be part of the pop-up library. They found that being out in the community where people are having fun, and interacting with families and friends, made for encounters that felt more personal and special. An added benefit was the positive feedback they received in person and through their social media postings!
Staff loaded up and pulled wagons of materials, an outdoor sign, tables, computers, and all the bits and bobs that were needed. They hope to expand the pop-up library into a true mobile library with the purchase of a vehicle. This will enable them to bring the pop-up library, along with digital connection, to the doorstep of low income communities. Through a potential partnership with Westbay Community Action, the library can provide a healthy meal-kit program and workforce development.
This fall, the library will continue to pop up in Warwick! Staff will be at a Halloween movie event sponsored by the Warwick Police Department with spooky stories for all ages. Staff will also visit the Trudeau Center, the Senior Center, and the Showcase Cinema.
|
|
The Rhode Island Library Association
is a professional organization that serves its members through career development, education, advocacy, networking partnerships, and legislative action.
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|