It’s Bittersweet: CORI’s Farewell Celebration

Incorporated in September 2005, Cornucopia of Rhode Island: A Library Community of Color hosted their last event following a heavy rainfall on Thursday evening September 25, 2025, at the Rhode Island State Library.   The farewell celebration speakers included Rhode Island United States Senator and library champion, Jack Reed, a staunch supporter of CORI since it’s inception.  Senator Reed ‘s congratulatory and auspicious remarks will always remind librarians nationwide how fortunate we are to have his backing.

Rhode Island Congressman Gabe Amo could not attend in person but sent an enthralling short video congratulating and thanking CORI for their work and encouraging the Rhode Island librarians to continue the much-needed library endeavors in their local communities. 

Andrew Sekou Jackson retired executive director Langston Hughes Community Library and Cultural Center, Queens, New York, and past president of the Black Caucus of the American Library Association was the evening featured speaker.  Sekou was also CORI’s very first speaker at the inaugural event in September 2005 and it was most fitting for him to return on Thursday evening, although it was via Zoom due to his teaching schedule. 

Many of the over forty-four guests in attendance were graduates or faculty members from the University of Rhode Island, Master of Library and Information Studies program.   CORI’s co-founder Dr. Michael Havener, a former dean of the GSLIS program, flew in from Florida to join in the farewell festivities and greeted each of them as they were all ecstatic to see him.

Keith W. Stokes, Rhode Island historian laureate and associate director, State of Rhode Island, Division of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion and Los Angles, California poet, Lynda V. E. Crawford completed the evening with their engrossing and stimulating remarks.  Lynda entranced the audience with reciting poetry from her recently published book, Washing Water (World Stage Press, 2024).

During the duration of the evening, a video thread showing various photos of CORI’s events throughout the last twenty years brought back memories.   Former librarian of Congress Dr. Carla Hayden, the first woman and first African American to be appointed Librarian of Congress, and current senior fellow at the Mellon Foundation contacted CORI to express her regrets in not being able to attend the farewell celebration.  Dr. Hayden, a former roommate and close friend of the late CORI co-founder Dr. Donna Gilton, requested that Rhode Island librarians continue to recruit librarians of color to the state.

Cornucopia of Rhode Island would like to thank the Rhode Island Library Association, the School Librarians of Rhode Island, the Office of Library & Information Services, and the Rhode Island library community for their assistance and support throughout the years.  We are grateful to have worked with such an amazing group of colleagues.  Thank you.

Submitted by,

Ida D. McGhee

Recently, the New England Commission of Higher Education’s draft 2026 Accreditation Standards eliminate all references to libraries, librarians, and information resources. In the 2021 standards, libraries were recognized as essential to teaching, learning, research, institutional mission, and student success. In the 2026 draft, those terms are absent across the board.

EveryLibrary has drafted an analysis that makes the stakes clear:

• Without accreditation language, libraries shift from required infrastructure to optional amenities.
• Accreditation standards drive budgets. If libraries aren’t part of accreditation, institutions under financial pressure may close them or redirect funds elsewhere.
• Faculty governance and shared academic roles are at risk. Removing librarians from the definition of academic staff weakens their place in curricular design, assessment, and governance.

The public comment period is open until October 15, 2025, and NECHE will finalize the standards in December. Once libraries are erased from accreditation, regaining that ground will be far more difficult.

What you can do:

1. Read EveryLibrary’s analysis: https://docs.google.com/document/d/10MJW5k0sow-JDHby0f07LQ2XVuTIP9fWxs0_MaDnnKs/edit?tab=t.0
2. Submit a public comment: Standardsreview@neche.org
3. Share this with colleagues, faculty, students, and organizations that care about academic quality in New England.

 

Sample comment language you can adapt:

NECHE must restore explicit references to libraries, librarians, and information resources in the 2026 Accreditation Standards. The 2021 standards recognized them across multiple areas: as academic staff (6.2), as required institutional resources (7.22), as part of student learning outcomes (4.19), and as a key element of transparency and disclosure (9.20). Their removal undermines both academic quality and society’s broader commitment to equitable access to knowledge.

• Academic Staff (2021 Standard 6.2 → Draft 2.6): Librarians must be recognized as part of the academic workforce. Their teaching, advisory, and research roles are critical to student success and faculty scholarship.
• Institutional Resources (2021 Standard 7.22 → Draft 3.9): Accreditation must explicitly require library and information resources, services, facilities, and qualified staff. Without this anchor, institutions under financial pressure may close libraries or divert funds elsewhere.
• Educational Effectiveness (2021 Standard 4.19): Information literacy and mastery of resources must remain expected learning outcomes. Removing them devalues critical thinking and undermines students’ preparation for informed participation in society.
• Public Disclosure (2021 Standard 9.20 → Draft 5.3): Institutions must continue to disclose the library and information resources available to students. Removing this requirement reduces transparency and accountability.

 

Accreditation standards shape budgets, governance, and institutional priorities. If libraries are absent from NECHE’s framework, they risk being treated as optional rather than essential. This threatens not only the stability of campus libraries but also society’s recognition of libraries everywhere as vital infrastructure for education, equity, and democracy.

Libraries, librarians, and information resources must remain visible, valued, and required in NECHE accreditation standards.

You helped pass the RI Freedom to Read Act because you understand the importance of protecting core democratic and educational infrastructures when they are threatened. I hope you’ll lend your voices here, too.

Thank you for standing up once again for librarians, students, educators, and our communities.

The RI State Library celebrated its 130th anniversary as a member of the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) on September 22, 2025 with a series of passionate speakers and an enthusiastic group of library supporters in attendance at the RI State House. The State Library was established in 1852 to provide access to state government information and publications. While the Library began receiving federal government materials as early as 1886, it officially became a Federal Depository in 1895. Serving as a FDLP member library entails maintaining a physical collection of publications as well as, increasingly, providing research expertise as patrons navigate the vast collection of US publications and data online.  

The anniversary event was attended by over fifty guests and leaders from the library, archives and cultural community. The slate of speakers celebrated the fundamental right of public access to information and the value of libraries in preserving and providing access to government information as essential to maintaining an informed citizenry. Hosted by Secretary of State Gregg Amore and State Librarian Kate Wells, speakers included Lt. Governor Sabina Matos, General Treasurer James Diossa, RI Senator Mark McKenney and RI Representative David Morales, US Senator Jack Reed and Wendy Schiller of Brown University. In addition, the State Library recognized the twenty-five-year career and contributions of Federal Government Documents Librarian Ann Teixeira, who will be retiring on October 31, 2025. 

In celebration of Banned Books Week 2025, the Rhode Island Library Association partnered with the Rhode Island ACLU affiliate to host a discussion on the frequently challenged and historically banned book, 1984 by George Orwell. Local author and journalist Philip Eil read selected excerpts from 1984, sparking a thought-provoking and engaging discussion among the 100 attendees. The discussion explored the novel’s continued relevance, drawing connections between Orwell’s themes and contemporary issues today. 

Judy Akid is a Children's Associate at the North Providence Union Free Library. She can share her findings with us at a future library meeting or event. For her research report, please visit: https://engaged-learning.providence.edu/judy-akid-27/

From Providence College Political Science Department:

This summer, Judy Akid, a junior in Political Science, conducted research on how themes of social representation, identity, and politics are portrayed in Arab-American children's books. Working with Dr. Gizem Zencirci, chair of the Middle East Studies Program at Providence College, Judy built on her work experience at the North Providence Children's Library to design an original project. Rather than simply completing an assignment, she was "excited by the possibility of researching Arab-American children's books and their more in-depth political and social implications, and how they affect children's ability to help form their identities."

Judy’s research was supported by the Center for Engaged Learning. With the funding and guidance, she was able to gather books, identify key themes, and create a public-facing outlet for her findings through Instagram and an upcoming website. She also received valuable support fromLauri Hornik, President of Dial Books for Young Readers at Penguin Young Readers Group.

The result is a truly unique political science project that reflects on core issues in an area that many people might overlook. Judy found the greatest challenge was that each book opened new directions for future political research. Reflecting on her experience, she offered this advice to current and future students: "I would encourage every student who is curious or has a deep interest in anything to pursue research in it and try to learn as much as they can about it. Doing this research has truly been such an enriching opportunity to be a part of, and I would do it again if I could, and I would encourage students to apply to the Engaged Learning Summer Research Program."

https://engaged-learning.providence.edu/judy-akid-27/

Buy tickets NOW for CLPVD’s Halloween cocktail fundraiser and save 25% off the price! Put on your spookiest attire, invite family and friends and enjoy a monstrously good time!

Spooky Night at Knight will be held on Thursday, October 30 from 6:00PM -10:00PM at Knight Memorial Library, 275 Elmwood Avenue, Providence. Tickets are available for purchase and required for admission.

https://clpvd.networkforgood.com/events/88983-a-spooky-night-at-knight

North Scituate, RI — September 2025 —

In celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Rhode Island State Police, Hope Library hosted a one-of-a-kind family event: a Toy Slumber Party at the RI State Police Museum on Saturday, September 27 at 2:00 PM.

Children were invited to bring a favorite stuffed animal or doll for a special afternoon at the museum, followed by an unforgettable overnight adventure for their toys.

The fun began with a guided tour of the museum and a special showing of the beloved film Corduroy. Afterward, the children headed home, while their stuffed companions stayed behind to enjoy a night full of surprises with Trooper Boots, the RI State Police bear mascot.

As Trooper Boots lead the toys through their overnight escapades, museum and library staff captured the magic in photos. Each child received a personalized keepsake storybook, complete with highlights of their toy’s adventures, when they returned to pick them up the following morning, Sunday, September 28 at 10:00 AM.

Families were able to follow along in real-time by checking out updates on social media at #NightattheRIStatePoliceMuseum. 

The event was covered by Channel 10 News. Click HERE to read the full story. 

Join us for a discussion of the historically-banned book 1984 by George Orwell. 

A speaker will read excerpts from the novel, we will have a group discussion of the common themes between the book and current threats to our rights, and then ACLU staff will explain ways you can help protect our freedoms in Rhode Island. You’ll leave the event with a packet of resources and tools to take action!

This event is free and open to all. In collaboration with the Rhode Island Library Association. Please register here so the organizers know how many people to expect.

You do not have to read 1984 in advance, but we encourage you to get a copy from your local library or bookstore or to watch a film adaptation prior to the event!

*This event is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Cranston Public Library.

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with the 2026 RI Latino Books Award Nominees!

The RI Latino Books Award Committee is proud to announce the 2026 RI Latino Books Award Nominees, just in time for the start of Hispanic Heritage Month, which is celebrated from September 15th through October 15th.

The Rhode Island Latino Books Award and Rhode Island Latino Arts promote books for young readers, written by Latino/Latina/Latinx authors & illustrators.

Please visit our website to print out the flyer, book labels, poster, and for more information.

https://www.rilatinoarts.org/LatinoBooksAward.html

The George Hail Free Library has created an exhibit of items and documents dating back 250 years. You can see this in person or through our digital collection at https://www.georgehail.org/charles-whipple-greene-museum.

Opening Reception on September 19 from 5 to 8 pm. No registration required.