Peer 2 Peer University (P2PU) and the Rhode Island Library Association (RILA) welcome library staff to build a learning community with fellow librarians across the state. P2PU is developing workshops on in-demand topics for Rhode Island library staff. Join any of the 60-minute workshops on our calendar about these advanced facilitation techniques:

• June 8, 2023 - Safe Spaces: Balancing feeling safe with feeling challenged (Click here to RSVP)
• June 15, 2023 - Self Advocacy: How to look out for yourself when running  a program (Click here to RSVP)

Since 2016, P2PU has supported RILA in running learning circles. These free, peer-led study groups can increase patron engagement and retention in online courses, and they provide an accessible and supportive environment for learners. Providence Public Library initially worked with ESOL students to run citizenship prep learning circles where adults at various levels of readiness prepared for the citizenship exam process, practiced English, and built relationships with their peers. In 2021, P2PU worked with Amrita S. Patel and Denise LaForce, former colleagues at Charlotte Mecklenburg Library (CML), to develop course materials on How to Talk about Race. Facilitators across the country have adapted this learning circle to navigate these difficult and necessary conversations in their communities. (Read more about this project at their blog!)

At the heart of the success of learning circles is the community of facilitators that make them happen. We’re grateful to the facilitators in the RILA library community who voiced their interest in these topics, and we look forward to continuing this work. Email us at thepeople@p2pu.org with any questions about how to join our peer learning community.

School library and public library collaborations are a fun way to bring two types of librarianship together within the community– and sometimes that community is a few cities over!

As a way to open students' eyes to the wonderful world of nonfiction, Park View Middle School librarian Steph Mills and 8th grade ELA teacher Rhonda Marro talked to Barrington Middle School librarian Melanie Roy and Garden City librarian Meredith Moore about their previous work on creating Mock Sibert award lesson plans. Throughout their conversations, Steph learned that Maria Cotto, a Pawtucket children’s librarian, served on the Sibert committee from 2019-2021.

In an effort to give students a first hand look at what it is like to serve on a national committee, Steph invited Maria to visit her classes to discuss the hard work and deliberations that go into choosing the winners and nominees. Maria talked about the criteria and the passion that librarians bring to the virtual meetings as well as the process for reading such a large quantity of books and eliminating titles in each round. This served as a basis for Steph and Rhonda to show them Melody Allen and Melissa Stewart’s modified mock Sibert approach in which students look at three criteria: delight, design, and documentation.

Throughout the month of February, students will be reading at least eight nonfiction titles and debating the merits of each with classmates. Each class will each determine their winner and nominees. As a culminating activity, students will watch a recording of the Youth Media Awards to see if Park View’s final list matches what the 2023 Sibert committee picked!

The Rhode Island Library Association (RILA) applauds Governor Dan McKee’s introduction of his Fiscal 2024 state budget which includes $484,000 in additional funding for libraries. For only the second time since 2009, the state budget will fully fund state aid to libraries at the level outlined in RI General Law 29-6-2. Existing state law specifies that the state contribute to each city and town an amount equal to 25% of municipal expenditures and 25% of expenditures from a library’s private endowment that supplements that expenditure.

This additional funding will positively impact public libraries in every city and town in Rhode Island. The budget also includes additional funding for AskRI, the Statewide Reference Resource Center, to fully support online learning, tutoring, and job upskilling support services for all Rhode Islanders.

"The Rhode Island Library Association is excited to see the Governor’s visible support of Rhode Island libraries by fully funding state aid to libraries. This action continues to build community resources, and we are gratified to see this commitment,"" said RILA President Rachael Juskuv.

RILA thanks Governor McKee for his support of libraries and his recognition of the role libraries play in supporting Rhode Islanders' need for access to information, technology, health and wellness resources, educational supports, and social connections. We thank the Governor for his strong leadership for including this funding in the budget.

RILA also thanks Representative David Morales (D7, Providence) and Representative Jackie Baginski (D17, Cranston) for being strong library advocates and their efforts along with the 40- plus sponsors of House Bill 5095 for bringing much needed attention to this long-standing funding issue.

"Public libraries are the heart of our communities and a public resource for all people, regardless of background or socioeconomic status," Representative Morales said. "Therefore, it is in all of our interests to ensure our libraries are well-funded and have the resources needed to remain strong and vibrant in the years ahead."

The Rhode Island Library Association urges the General Assembly to pass the FY24 budget with the inclusion of these important funds for our public libraries.

The RI Library Association is a professional organization that serves its members through career development, education, networking partnerships and legislative action and seeks to inspire and promote excellence in library services, through training, innovation, and advocacy. RILA also supports libraries and library workers to meet the diverse needs of the populations they serve.

Inspired by their Sesquicentennial Soiree a year ago, Senator Jack Reed nominated Pascoag Public Library in Burrillville for the Institute of Museum & Library Services (IMLS) National Medal for Museum & Library Service. This is the nation's highest honor for museums & libraries that make significant & exceptional contributions to their communities.

Recipients will be announced in Spring 2023.

"It's a bit of a cliche, but in this case we feel it truly is an honor just to be considered for this award. Then, to be nominated by someone with the stature of Senator Reed, well, we're thrilled & grateful beyond measure." (quote: Board of Trustees President Kathan Lambert & Library Director Gretchen Hanley)

Native American collection expanded

The George Hail Library is pleased to announce the release of a new special collection of books on the local history of the Pokanoket people. This collection was generously donated by the American Indian Study Committee. The circulating collection is available to all patrons with an Ocean State Library card in good standing. The American Indian Study Committee was appointed by the Warren Town Council in 2020
Read more on the Sowams Heritage Area website.

Welcome Michaela Hutchinson, Youth Services Librarian

We have two new wonderful staff members on our team at the George Hail Library.  Jill C-D (left) who started in August and now Michaela Hutchinson (right), our new youth services librarian.  Michaela recently graduated from Simmons College and this is her first professional position.  Her last position was in Burlington, MA.  We are excited to have both here at the George Hail Library.

• Part One: Wednesday, September 21st at 4 PM on Zoom
• Part Two: Wednesday, October 12th at 4 PM at Cranston Public Library Central Library Meeting Room

Does talking about policies sound less exciting than watching paint dry? Would you rather organize your junk drawer than review your collection development practices? If so, it's time to reframe how you think about these important tools as embodiments of our professional principles.  In the first session of this two-part series, we will share our experiences with current concerns about library resources and services and learn about best practices for library policies that support us in promoting intellectual freedom and social justice. The second session will be a hands-on workshop focused on writing or revising policies based on what we learned in the first session. By the end of the series, we should feel more confident in our abilities to protect access to the information that meets the needs of our communities.

Register For Part One

Martin Garnar, PhD, is the director of the Amherst College Library and the editor of the 10th edition of the Intellectual Freedom Manual. His professional activities and speaking schedule reflect a profound inability to say no. A native New Yorker, Martin lives in western Massachusetts with his husband Mark and their impossibly cute miniature dachshunds.

On behalf of the Cornucopia of Rhode Island (CORI), we are delighted to invite current library school students and recent MLIS graduates to submit proposals for a poster presentation at the Cornucopia of Rhode Island annual mini conference on Thursday November 3, 2022 from 2:00-4:30pm. While not required, we encourage posters on the conference theme of ‘Recruitment and Retention of Librarians of Color’. We are also seeking posters on topics pertaining to diversity, equity, and inclusion in libraries.

For consideration, please submit a 150 word (maximum) abstract of your poster topic by September 9, 2022 to cori@rilibraries.org. Selected posters and presenters will be notified by September 26, 2022. Questions may be directed to the conference organizers at cori@rilibraries.org. See attached flyer for more information [pdf].

submitted by Pamela Schwieger, Youth Services Coordinator at East Providence Public Library

I am proud to report that, on Saturday, June 25, the East Providence Public Library held its first Drag Queen Story Hour (DQSH). Aside from the heat, it was a beautiful day filled with love and acceptance, fun, and lots of color! Our DQSH was part of the largest Pride Event the city of East Providence has ever had. The day began with an inaugural East Providence Pride Parade, followed by a flag raising and speakers at City Hall; and continuing with music, GIANT bubbles, crafts, and LGBTQIA+ informational tables on the lawn at Weaver Library. And, of course, the culmination of the day, what everyone was waiting for, was the Drag Queen Story Hour performed so fabulously by Haley Star.

Our Pride Event and DQSH turned out to be a wonderful celebration of diversity and inclusion, however, the weeks leading up to the event had their ups and downs. We had the pleasure of collaborating with East Providence’s new LGBTQIA+ Advisory Board and Mayor DaSilva who encouraged us to turn our DQSH program into a larger, all-afternoon, Pride event. We were also supported by local agencies like PFLAG Providence, EPHS Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA), Newman Congregational Church, the Parasol Patrol, and more. Although we were given much positive feedback, not everyone was happy to hear about this event, and we also received phone calls and social media posts from members of the local and statewide community whose goal was to have the event canceled. Our performer, Haley Star, was also the victim of a great deal of hate speech. So much so that she took to her Facebook page to make a statement to defend the DQSH and invite others to come and support East Providence Pride Day. 

Thank you to Haley Star for being the brave person that you are, and for so eloquently reminding us that: “Events like these are for the children who don’t quite feel 100% seen yet, and have family members strong enough and brave enough to bring them there to experience an afternoon of joy, laughter and love to allow them to develop into their own true self.” I hope the children who attended this program felt encouraged to be exactly who they are, and to accept the differences of others.

And, finally, thank you to Rashaa Al-Sasah, Emma Brelsford, Colin McCullough, and all the staff at West Warwick Public Library for hosting their DQSH in 2021. From the moment I left your incredibly positive and uplifting event last year, I knew that I needed to bring Drag Queen Story Hour to the families of East Providence.

The Cranston Public Library is pleased to announce the hiring of Elena Rios as the new full-time Youth Services Librarian at the Central Library. A lifelong resident of Cranston, Rios began working at Cranston Public Library in 2017 while she was a student at Cranston East High School. During her time with CPL, she has worked as a Page, a Library Aide, and Part-time Youth Services Librarian. She recently graduated from Simmons College, completing both her bachelor's in Information Technology and Master of Library Science.

Inspired by a program at the 2022 RILA Conference, Assistant Circulation Manager Mary Albanese was on a mission to establish a food and necessities pantry at the library. "We get a lot of patrons, especially students after school, who are hungry or need an item that we don't regularly provide. Or they do not have money to buy a snack. We also have parents who come to programs looking for an item and it will save them money and a trip to the store. We want to provide as much as we can to our community."

With the understanding that the pantry would be patron-driven, semi-private, and anonymous, the library soon set up a spare book cart and soon the donations came flooding in. Red.Lined.Period soon caught news of the pantry and reached out to Library Director Stefanie Blankenship via their Instagram post. Now Red.Lined has partnered with the library to provide feminine and incontinence products for those in need. Their mission, "Fighting Menstrual Product Insecurity in Rhode Island," is now benefiting North Providence Residents.

Items brought to the pantry must be unopened, non-perishable, and not expired. Mary's hope is to acquire larger shelving as the pantry grows bigger and more visible in the community.