Calling all Coventry students! In celebration of "Rhode Island 250," the 250th anniversary of the signing of the nation's Declaration of Independence, Coventry is holding a town-wide student art contest for grades Kindergarten - 12th grade, culminating in an art reception extravaganza! Winners will receive gift cards, trophies and medals! Any K-12 grade student who resides in Coventry is eligible to submit art work.

In the spirit of RI250, the theme is "Historical Coventry: A Celebration in Art" and we encourage submissions to be based on any aspect of Coventry history, from any time period. Looking for inspiration? Ask a librarian! See Rules & Guidelines for more details.

Student art submission accepted 7 days a week during open hours between April 20 - May 3 at the Coventry Public Library, 1672 Flat River Road The Art Show & Reception is on Tuesday, May 19 from 5:30 - 7:30 at the Coventry Community Learning Center (Annex), 1675 Flat River Road.

https://coventrylibrary.org/historical-coventry-celebration-art-student-art-contest

On the hunt for epic events to host at your library, school, or church? Then we have an event for you. Come meet creatives for hire at this drop in meet and greet fair.

February 26, Thursday from 4pm to 6pm. Snow Date March 5th.

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

Please join us as Smithfield native, Justin Mott—now based in Vietnam—shares stories and lessons from nearly two decades behind the camera. Justin’s talk explores how he uses personal projects to stay inspired throughout a career that spans more than 100 New York Times assignments, global commercial campaigns, and an award-winning documentary film. He is also the former host and judge of the History Channel series Photo Face-Off.

Through his ongoing Kindred Guardians project, which documents people who devote their lives to helping animals, Justin shows how personal work can fuel creativity, sustain passion, and offer anyone a meaningful way to create and contribute. Mott's work and portfolio can be viewed at www.justinmott.com.

Monday, December 29th at 6pm at The East Smithfield Public Library, yes please register

https://myespl.libcal.com/event/15674836

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.