• Tuesday, November 10, 2015 12:52 PM | Anonymous
    Here is a bit of information about NERTCL. We plan the youth services sessions (about 8-9) at the NELA Annual Conference, including an author luncheon. We also plan a spring one-day standalone every other year. We are working on holding meet-ups as well. We would very much like to have a representative from every state. We try to hold our meetings in each state so that there is at least one meeting where the rep doesn't have to drive far. If you know anyone who would be interested in being our RI state rep, could you send them my or Kara's (kreiman@westbrook.me.us) information? 

     

  • Monday, November 09, 2015 11:15 AM | Anonymous

    Media Smart Libraries invites you to a workshop in partnership with RISCA that will help you learn about implementing a film program in your library.

    Starting and Growing a Film Program: Elementary Through High School

    Thursday, November 19, 2015
    4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
    Newport Art Museum
    Series: Media Smart Libraries

    Presenter(s)/Discussion Leader(s): Brien Jennings, School Media Specialist, Narragansett Elementary School; Nick Marcoux, Trinity Academy for the Performing Arts; Katie Reaves, Beacon School for the Arts; GiveMe5

     

    Media Smart LibrariesThis two part workshop focuses on developing, implementing, and sustaining film programming for children. Part one is a panel discussion with three Rhode Island educators who will share their experiences with film and media education, including their challenges, successes, and curriculum development. Part two is a presentation from GiveMe5 on their new consulting service for educators and librarians, in which they provide guidance, support, and services for schools and organizations to grow their film and media programming.

     

    This workshop is part of the Media Smart Libraries program which was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. GiveMe5 is sponsored by The Rhode Island Film and Television Office in conjunction with The Rhode Island State Council on the Arts.

     

    Registration required. Please register on the OLIS CE website Limited to 25 participants.

    Intended Audience: Public Youth Services Librarians, School Librarians (K-12)
  • Wednesday, October 28, 2015 10:36 AM | Anonymous

    The RILA Conference Committee is expanding the vendor exhibit area this year and wants to know who you love!  Do you have a vendor that you think other libraries would like as well?  Do you have a need for a vendor and want us to help you find one?  This year we are in a much larger space, so the goal is to have twice as many vendors!  We are looking for suggestions of vendors that you currently use or would like to learn more about at the RILA Conference.   If you currently use a vendor that you’d like to recommend, or have a vendor or a vendor need that you’d like to see, please email rilaconference@gmail.com and put “Vendor” in the subject line.  We look forward to making this the best RILA conference experience possible.  Thank you for your input!

     

    Melissa Chiavaroli & Erin Creighton

  • Tuesday, October 27, 2015 5:33 PM | Anonymous

    Congrats to Suzanne Lynch, Beth Gorter, Joan Mouradjian, and Jennifer Robinson on the recognition of their great work.  They really exemplify the wonderful things school librarians are doing across the state!

     

    Two More School Librarians Recognized as Teachers of the Year

    Even as Position is Valued by Colleagues, Districts are Cutting Staffing and Funding

     

    RHODE ISLAND - OCTOBER 27, 2015 - Two more school librarians were named 2015 Teacher of the Year in their districts; Suzanne Lynch of Stony Lane and Forest Park Elementary Schools in North Kingstown and Beth Gorter of Hanaford Elementary in East Greenwich join Joan Mouradjian of Narragansett Middle School in Narragansett and Jennifer Robinson of Thompson Middle School in Newport as honorees this year. In 2014, three other school librarians received the honor. Ironically, four of these seven districts have cut library staffing and/or funding for the current school year:

     

    • Coventry: As the district moves to Chromebooks, librarians are being given tech duties, reducing time to teach students library skills. There is no book budget - at the Feinstein Middle School, 2014 Teacher of the Year Susan Murphy’s budget has gone from $7,500 to $0 in just a few years.
    • East Greenwich:While positions were spared this year after being on the chopping block, budgets were obliterated. 2015 Teacher of the Year Beth Gorter’s Hanaford Elementary went from $3,000 for collection development last year to $0.
    • Newport: 2015 Teacher of the Year Jennifer Robinson has gone from having a half-time assistant librarian and full-time clerk two years ago to being a solo practitioner.
    • North Kingstown: Many positions have been chiseled away for the past several years; this year, the Davisville Middle School position was cut from full-time to .6.

     

    “The fact that 7 out of 36 districts have recognized the work done by school librarians as educators shows that fellow teachers appreciate the value the position - and the highly trained professionals who fill it - brings to both their students and their colleagues,” says Sarah Hunicke of Portsmouth High School, president of School Librarians of Rhode Island (SLRI). “Unfortunately, some school committees see the library department as dispensable. But  research has shown a correlation between school library programs and student achievement. When a school district thinks that cutting certified school librarians is an easy way to save money, they may actually end up costing themselves more in the long run.”

     

    About SLRI - www.slri.info - @SchLibRI

    The purpose of School Librarians of Rhode Island shall be to (1) promote the improvement of instruction through opportunities that broaden the professional knowledge, understanding, and experience of its members; (2) provide leadership in defining, interpreting, and promoting effective library media programs to the community; and (3) serve as facilitator between the State Department of Education, Office of Library and Information Services, professional organizations, and the general public.


    ###
  • Saturday, October 10, 2015 1:24 PM | Anonymous

    The Office of Library and Information Services (OLIS), the Coalition of Library Advocates (COLA), and the RI Library Association (RILA) are joining forces again to present a stimulating program on the important role of library trustees in preserving and protecting patrons’ intellectual freedom and privacy rights.  Participants will engage in thought-provoking discussions and interactive exercises to facilitate better understanding of why privacy matters to everyone.

    This session is recommended for library trustees, library directors, and others interested in policy, privacy and intellectual freedom.


    Our speaker, Nancy Kranich, was President of the American Library Association from 2000 to 2001. She currently teaches at the Rutgers University School of Communication and Information and conducts special projects for the Rutgers University Libraries. Previously, Nancy served as Associate Dean of Libraries at New York University.


    Nancy will examine the differences between confidentiality and privacy, the need for libraries to adopt privacy policies, the importance of understanding the relationship between privacy and the First Amendment, and privacy rights of youth. She will also familiarize trustees with helpful resources such as the ALA Privacy Toolkit. Attendees will leave this session with an understanding of why the library must remain a bastion for both free expression and privacy.


    A tireless advocate for free and open access to information, Nancy has spoken out against censorship, filtering, secrecy, privatization, and other attempts to limit the public’s information rights. She also spearheaded ALA's right to know, information commons, and civic engagement initiatives, fostered the development of ALA's privacy and filtering toolkits, formed the Coalition on Government Information, and established the James Madison Awards honoring champions of public access to information. She has testified several times before Congress, attended annual legislative days at the state and national levels, and participated in several White House and Congressional briefings


    A light supper will be provided.


    Those interested in registering for this program can do so at http://www.olis.ri.gov/services/ce/individual.php?code=corn1112.

  • Tuesday, October 06, 2015 2:43 PM | Anonymous

    The Rhode Island Library Association (RILA) and the School Librarians of Rhode Island (SLRI) invite you to the third annual October is Information Literacy Month Celebration: Celebrating Life Long Learning Across Rhode Island!

     

    Celebrating Life Long Learning Across Rhode Island!

    October 26th, 4 – 6:30 pm at Cranston Public Library (Central)

    140 Sockanosset Cross Rd Cranston, RI 02920

     

    Celebrating Life Long Learning Across Rhode Island! will showcase examples of information literacy in public, school, academic and special library settings that demonstrate what information literacy looks like across RI libraries and how information literacy affects Rhode Islanders of every age.

     

    A celebration of the importance of information literacy to the community is a great way to bring information literacy to life for the admin in your life. Invite your director, principal, dean, library board members, friends of your library, representatives of your administration, mayor or anyone else that might be interested to see information literacy in action.

     

    The Information Literacy Showcase will feature food, fun, and information literacy. Tabletop presentations will allow attendees to explore the showcase in an “open house” environment. Attendees can meet and mingle with librarians while enjoying a catered spread. We look forward to celebrating information literacy and libraries with you!

     

    Please RSVP by October 22, 2015


    http://goo.gl/forms/u5CznNJ1UO
  • Thursday, October 01, 2015 3:10 PM | Anonymous

    Hi everyone,

    There will be a NELLS Reunion Brunch on Sunday, Oct. 25 at 10:00am.  There is a $25 charge.  NELLS Alumni (including mentors) are welcome to register at http://ams.nelib.org/event-2015805.


    Please pass this on to anyone you know who was part of NELLS.  We currently have about 20 people registered.


    Thanks,
    -- Deb

    Deb Hoadley
    NELA, Past President/2015 Conference Chair
    603-819-1798 (cell)
    dhoadley@nelib.org
    http://nelib.org/

  • Thursday, October 01, 2015 11:49 AM | Anonymous

    Laura Kohl is asking RILA members to take a look at the proposed NEASC Standards for Instituations of Higher Learning.  If you have any feedback please contact her at lkohl@bryant.edu so she can share the reactions with the librarians who will be meeting with NEASC representatives. 

     

    NEASC has developed new proposed standards for accreditation for institutions of higher education in New England, with a December adoption date, which has removed library standard 7 from the standards. A group of librarians is going to meet with Barbara E. Brittingham, President of the Commission on institutions of Higher Education. We are seeking feedback from librarians across New England, in part for this meeting, and in part for a future statement by ACRL NEC.

     

    Below please find relevant documents. The existing standards are useful for comparison purposes, and the white paper is useful for understanding why the library standard was removed. 

     

    Existing Standards: https://cihe.neasc.org/standards-policies/standards-accreditation

    Draft Revised Standards: https://cihe.neasc.org/sites/cihe.neasc.org/files/downloads/New_of_the_Website/DRAFT_Standards_for_Accreditation_8.25.15.pdf

    White paper describing the need for changes: https://cihe.neasc.org/sites/cihe.neasc.org/files/downloads/Standards_Revision_Process/StandardsRevisionDiscussionPaperJanuary2015.pdf

     

    Laura Kohl

    Head of Research & Instruction Services

    Douglas & Judith Krupp Library

    Bryant University

    http://library.bryant.edu

     

    ACRL New England Chapter RI State Representative
  • Monday, September 28, 2015 12:43 PM | Anonymous

    The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), the fastest growing division of the American Library Association (ALA), is offering the Frances Henne/YALSA/VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates) Research Grant for 2016. This grant of $1,000 provides seed money for small-scale projects that will encourage research that responds to the YALSA Research Agenda.

     

    Details regarding the applications for the 2016 Frances Henne YALSA/VOYA Research Grant are available from the YALSA Web site at http://www.ala.org/yalsa/awardsandgrants/franceshenne. Applications for the grant are due in the YALSA Office by December 1, 2015. For more information please contact us via e-mail, yalsa@ala.org; or by phone: 1-800-545-2433 x 4387.

     

     

    Amanda L. S. Murphy

    Youth Services Assistant Manager

    Warren-Trumbull County Public Library

    Warren, Ohio

    330-856-2011 ext. 511

  • Saturday, September 26, 2015 1:15 PM | Anonymous

    Calling all Librarians... 

     

    Please donate books to The Book Truck- bringing books directly to children in the inner city.

     

    The Book Truck will give free books to inner city children by going directly to those neighbors were books are needed the most.

     

    It will be convenient, safe and also a lot of fun.

     

    With the help of RISD, we are creating something of an ice cream truck experience – but for books.  With a sound system and alluring exterior, we will capture the imagination and attention, of elementary school kids -in places where the majority of children don’t have books of their own. 

     

    To donate books, or even your time,

     

    Please contact Catherine Price at Mail@drcatherineprice.com