Calling all Magicians, Puppeteers, Artists, Musicians, Storytellers, and Instructors. If you design programs for families, children, and teens, WE WANT YOU!

Showcase your talents and offerings, connect with RI librarians and teachers, and book future events.

February 26, 2026 4-6pm at the Warwick Public Library. registration is required:

https://warwicklibrary.libcal.com/event/15571250

Join us on December 4th to meet Rhode Island resident, Paul Mellor.

To say that Paul had quite the summer in 2024 is an understatement. Beginning at Lake Itasca, Minnesota, Paul paddled the length of the 2300-mile Mississippi River to the Gulf. During that time from top to bottom he encountered beaver dams and log jams, floating debris and flying fish, bugs and barges, freighters and gators, wind and wonder, but as Paul says, the lasting memories came from the people he met along the way.

The author of Strokes of Kindness, paddling America’s most iconic river reveals the humanity of its people, Paul will share with us his experience down the mighty Mississippi River. You’re invited to climb onboard. Life jackets optional.

Paul Mellor is also the author of You're Almost There: Sights, Sounds and Exhilaration of Running a Marathon in All 50 States and Summerin the Saddle: A Bike Ride Across America.

Thursday, December 4th at 6:00pm.

All ages are welcome.

Registration is encouraged.

https://nprovlib.org/december-4th-paul-mellors-experience-down-mighty-mississippi-river

Rhode Island swept the NELA Games and Trivia this year, proving that the Ocean State is small but mighty when it comes to library smarts. In celebration of Jane Austen’s birthday, the NELA Games were regency themed and teams were challenged to create a three-minute skit inspired by Austen using random prompts and plot twists. Rhode Island’s quick wit, use of props (do you see those beautiful masks?) and creativity stole the show and upgraded us from the brain to the bong! Trivia was a harder victory, but some smart wagering during the final question ensured we took home the win. We hope that more Rhode Island library staff will join us in Vermont next October so we can defend our titles!

1,049 number-marked graves behind the Rhode Island Training School had been forgotten. See how students remembered them.

More than historical research, the Indigent Cemetery Project reflects on identity, belonging, and remembering. Join us as we spotlight the efforts by T-Time Productions and many volunteers, with support from the Rhode Island State Archives, in restoring and telling the stories buried in the indigent cemetery behind the Rhode Island Training School. The Rhode Island State Archives exhibit, "A Good for the Public: Public Social Welfare in Rhode Island," continues to tell many of these stories about State Institutions.

Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore, Theresa Moore, Founder of T-Time Productions and John Hill, Chair of the Cranston Historical Cemetery Commission, will highlight how the Rhode Island State Archives helped uncover and digitize historic records related to those buried in the cemetery. We’ll also explore how this project inspired new educational curriculum at the Rhode Island Training School and engaged volunteers in restoring the cemetery grounds behind the school.

All are welcome. We invite volunteers, teachers, local historians, reporters and cemetery commission members and anyone interested to join in celebrating the completion of this project.

Reserve your spot HERE

We are pleased to announce that our membership software company (Wild Apricot/Personify) has released a free member app, available for both Apple and Android.  With the RILA membership app, you can view your profile, edit your contact information, renew your membership right from your device, view your membership card to get discounts to local bookstores, see which events you are registered for, and more!

Please note: The member app cannot be branded as "RILA" at this time, so on your device it will just say "Member App" with this logo:

The Rhode Island Center for the Book proudly presented Ed Garcia, Director of the Cranston Public Library, with the 2025 Page Turner Award during a celebration held on November 13 at the William Hall Library. Established in 2023, the Page Turner Award honors a librarian or educator who has made an outstanding contribution to the Center’s mission and who champions the joy of reading throughout the state.

“Ed was the only person we considered for this year’s award,” said Kate Lentz, Director of the Rhode Island Center for the Book. “His leadership and unwavering commitment to the Freedom to Read have been truly exceptional.”

Garcia, a nationally respected library leader and a driving force behind Rhode Island’s efforts to safeguard intellectual freedom, reflected on the significance of the recognition. “I am deeply honored to receive the Page Turner Award and to have my work recognized by the Rhode Island Center for the Book,” he said. “Libraries are the pillars of our democracy, places where everyone can freely explore ideas and stories that shape who we are. I share this recognition with all my colleagues who work every day to protect the freedom to read and foster a love of books in our community.”

The celebratory event brought together colleagues, community members, and statewide library champions. Highlights included a surprise presentation of a custom wrestling belt by Representative David “The Commissioner” Morales, along with warm and spirited toasts from incoming ALA President-Elect Dr. Maria McCauley and Cheryl Space, Director of Community Libraries of Providence.

In reflecting on the celebration, Cheryl said, "Ed warmly and sincerely thanked his family, his library director peers, state and city leaders, RILA, and, notably, his Cranston Public Library Staff for this honor. In typical Ed fashion, he deflected the light of recognition onto all who have been part of his advocacy and leadership efforts. His son, in a very personal and heartfelt toast, noted that his dad is one of the hardest workers around."

The evening served as a joyful reminder of the strength, passion, and advocacy within Rhode Island’s library community and of Ed Garcia’s exceptional leadership.

Here's a photo of Ed and his family at the event:

Join RILA and SLRI for a screening of "The Librarians" at The Jane Pickens Theater and Event Center, 49 Touro Street, Newport on Tuesday November 18, 2025 at 6 pm. Tickets are $15.00.

The film starts at 6 pm and runs for 92 minutes. It is a documentary that follows the experiences of librarians in Texas, Florida, and other states who find themselves on the frontlines as defenders of Intellectual Freedom.

While you are purchasing your movie snacks, please visit our Library Advocacy table in the theater lobby where you can sign a petition supporting the “RI School Libraries Act”. If passed by the RI State Legislature, this will require a full-time certified and degreed librarian in each public school in RI.

After the film, join RILA and SLRI librarians for a brief discussion about RI libraries and how we are fighting for Intellectual Freedom in our state. 

To purchase tickets in advance or get directions to the theater, go to the theater’s website: The JPT Film + Event Center | Show & Event Calendar | The Librarians https://share.google/h3XqENZiknl6Vc0mF

Topic: NECHE Standards Revisions feedback virtual meeting – LIBRARY

Wednesday, October 29, 2025, 9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.:  Join Meeting

Registration for the virtual meeting is not required. 

TIMELY INFORMATION FOR LIBRARIANS AND EDUCATORS:

Due to the over 500 letters they received calling for reconsideration, The New England Commission of Higher Education  (NECHE) will host an open meeting on Weds, 10/29 at 9:30-10 am EST in response to it’s proposed removal of all references to libraries, librarians, and library services from its draft 2026 accreditation standards.

Proposed removal: The draft, which is being finalized in late 2025 for a July 2026 effective date, *eliminates* specific language mentioning libraries, librarians, and information literacy.

We need all who understand the value of libraries in the higher education experience and degree attainment for students overall, and for first generation and students from lower income households, in particular, to show up on this call. 

Find the info below and the link to attend here: https://lnkd.in/gmrUq4pj

*Reminder: You don’t need to be a resident of New England, just a stakeholder (as each of us surely is)

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.