In This Issue
Mentorship Progam ~ Summer Reading Video ~ RILA Conference ~ RI Library Day
Updates and Highlights from the Community
Letter from the President
Hello everyone! Happy New Year and best wishes for a fantastic 2019!

RILA has many exciting initiatives planned for this year, including our Annual Conference, to be held at Bryant University May 22 and 23. This year’s RILA conference will launch a statewide news literacy initiative, featuring engaging sessions on news and media literacy, civic education and democracy, and many other topics of interest to public, academic, school, and special librarians and library staff. Please consider submitting a conference proposa l for a presentation, poster, or lightning talk. We will be reaching out to you soon with more information!

Another important RILA initiative is mentorship. If you or someone you work with is looking for mentorship opportunities, please take a look at the New England Library Leadership Symposium (NELLS) program. OLIS and RILA both contribute funding for this five-day intensive training program designed to foster the mentoring and development of leaders in our library community. NELLS is for library professionals, paraprofessionals, or volunteers (trustees, friends, etc.) in mid-career (3-15 years’ experience in or with libraries). Here is a brochure with more information. Applications along with 3 letters of reference are due by March 15, 2019. Please contact president@rilibraries.org with questions.

Thank you,
Kieran Ayton, RILA President
Summer Reading Planning Begins Now!
Summer Reading Planning begins in full during this time of year. RILA interviewed a public librarian and school librarians to talk about how they coordinate and collaborate to create a seamless transition into the summer.

News From RILA Sections
Cornucopia of Rhode Island: A Library Community of Color (CORI)
A grassroots organization, CORI was founded in the fall of 2005 with a mission and goal to serve the library community of color and an objective to promote library services to people of color within Rhode Island and the development of librarians and library staff of color.

The Rhode Island Coalition of Library Advocates (COLA)
While RILA is comprised primarily of professional practitioners, COLA is a grassroots organization of community residents eager to preserve and expand library services in the state. Merging with RILA enables COLA to build its capacity to advocate and educate for all our libraries.

Save the Dates! Statewide Library Events
Financial Literacy at Your Library


The Financial Literacy Roundtable continues to plan for the upcoming Money Smart Week (March 30 - April 6).

Check out their RILA Page to learn more about the multiple resources that you can use to host a Money Smart Event.
Call for Proposals!
The Rhode Island Library Association’s 2019 Conference, which will be held Wednesday, May 22nd and Thursday, May 23rd at Bryant University in Smithfield, is now accepting proposals for presentations , posters, and lightning round sessions.

The 2019 RILA Conference will launch a statewide news literacy initiative and feature engaging sessions on news and media literacy, civic education and democracy, and much more. The RILA Conference brings together public, academic, school, and special librarians and library staff. We want to hear your ideas!

Share your expertise, network with colleagues, and build your resume – submit a proposal today ! Proposals are due Friday, February 22nd. Questions? Email the RILA Conference Committee at conference@rilibraries.org .
Save the Date! RI Library Day

RILA invites you to save the date for the 5th Annual Rhode Island Library Day (#rilibraryday) on Saturday, April 13, 2019!
We'll be holding this event during ALA's National Library Week (April 7th-13th, 2019), the theme of which is “Libraries = Strong Communities” (you can read more about that here ).

We encourage you to take this opportunity to highlight and celebrate the many ways you support the individuals and institutions within your communities. We will be sending suggestions, plans, and promotional materials over the coming months to help you plan for the day.

Please contact our RILA Members-at-Large, David Meincke and Lisa Perry at membersatlarge@rilibraries.org if you have any questions or concerns. 
News From the Rhode Island Library Community
News from the Cranston Public Library
The Cranston Public Library announces Beth Johnson , Coordinator of Adult Services retired after 35 years at CPL on 1/2/19.

Christine Hall has been hired as Cataloging and Reference Librarian. Christine received her Masters in Library and Information Studies from the University of Rhode Island. She was most recently working at the Providence Public Library, Willett Free Library and as a part-time Reference Librarian at the Cranston Public Library.

Alyssa Taft has been hired to be the new Teen Librarian. Ms. Taft received her MLIS from the University of Rhode Island. She was recently the librarian at Portsmouth Middle School. She also currently serves on the RI Middle School Book Award committee. Ms. Taft will start on January 21, 2019.

The Cranston Public Library has appointed Dana Santagata as the new Head of Circulation Services. Ms. Santagata has been a dedicated staff member of the Cranston Public Library for 30 years. She started her new role on January 3.

Kim Sevigny has been hired as Library Assistant II-Technical & Circulation Services. Ms. Sevigny has worked part-time for the library for the past 20 years and will transition to her full-time role on January 19.

Cranston Public Library also hired Renee Mitchel l as new Library Assistant II-Circulation Assistant. Renee had previously worked at the Coventry Public Library and the Jesse Smith Library in Burrillville.
Latino Books Month!
Latino Books Month RI, initiated by Rhode Island Latino Arts and now in its sixth year in Rhode Island, promotes books by and for Latinos. This month-long celebration encourages librarians, teachers, educators and booksellers to promote books written by and for Latinos and it encourages communities to read books in both English and Spanish. This coming year’s project is a RILA partnership project with Raising Readers in RI & Pawtucket Public Library.
Over the summer, the 2019 Rhode Island Latino Books Month Nominees were announced and are now available online on the Rhode Island Latino Arts website. This is a great opportunity to promote the booklist for students in kindergarten through 12 grade. GREAT NEWS: This year were are providing FREE Copies of the 2019 Latino Books Month Nominees (While Supplies Last)
Lastly, we are working on establishing a committee to assist in planning and organizing future activities. If you a teacher or a librarian who currently works with kids in grades K-12 and are interested in being on the committee — please contact Maria Cotto We have some very exciting activities on the burner for next year, focusing on Latino books, authors and illustrators, and we promise you will not be disappointed!
The Rhode Island Library Association
is a professional organization that serves its members through career development, education, advocacy, networking partnerships and legislative action .
The RILA Bulletin is produced by the RILA Communications Committee. The RILA Communications Committee is responsible for publicizing and supporting Rhode Island Library Association activities using a variety of communication tools. Responsibilities including publishing the RILA Bulletin, managing social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, and exploring other mediums as needed.

Rhode Island Library Association members can contribute content to the RILA Bulletin by submitting an article or emailing the editors: communications@rilibraries.org