In This Issue
Executive Notes ~ URI GSLIS Awards ~ RI Holocaust and Genocide Awareness Month ~ Digital Inclusion & Equity ~ RIGS Book Sale ~ AASL Standards ~ Sensory Friendly Inclusive Group ~ Volunteer for RILA ~ In Memoriam ~ Upcoming Events ~ RI Challenge Reporting Form ~ RI Library News
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Greetings to all, and welcome to the April Bulletin!
First, an important announcement regarding a change in RILA leadership. Rachael Juskuv resigned as RILA President effective immediately. Rachael accepted a job opportunity outside of Rhode Island. As a result, I have stepped into the Presidential role in advance of our annual meeting and planned transition in May. We wish Rachael the best in her next endeavor.
This month join us for Rhode Island Advocacy Day on April 25th from 2:30 to 4:00pm at the State House in Providence. This is a great opportunity to meet your representative and senator and advocate for the libraries in our state. There will be several tables set up from the different library organizations in our state and even a make-your-own READ poster station.
Warmly,
Beatrice Pulliam
RILA President
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URI GSLIS Announces Library of the Year and Alumni of the Year Awards
The URI Graduate School of Library and Information Studies (GSLIS) is pleased to announce the winners of this year’s awards for Library of the Year and Alumni of the Year.
The Library of the Year for 2023 is West Warwick Public Library in West Warwick, Rhode Island.
Each year, GSLIS honors two alumni: one who graduated 10 or more years ago and another recent alumnus who graduated within the last 5 to 10 years. Our Alumna of the Year for 2023 is Maria Cotto and our Recent Alumna of the Year for 2023 is Tayla Cardillo.
These awards will be presented at the GSLIS Annual Gathering, to be held May 12, 2023, at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Warwick, RI where we are celebrating our 60th Anniversary Jubilee. The Annual Gathering is an evening of professional camaraderie and celebration that will celebrate these award winners, along with our graduates, alumni, current students, and larger community.
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RI Holocaust and Genocide Awareness Month Kick-off
On March 30, 2023, the Rhode Island Holocaust and Genocide Education Commission (RIHGEC) kicked off the first annual observance of RI Holocaust and Genocide Awareness Month, taking place in April. Featured speakers included members of the General Assembly, state educators and librarians, as well as members of the RIHGEC and other community leaders. The program focused on resources and materials about genocides that are readily available to the general public through libraries within the state.
Dave Bartos, coordinator of adult services at the Cranston Public Library, has been partnering with the RIHGEC since February; the RIHGEC is seeking to expand its reach to the public libraries in the state, and Dave has been working with the Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Education Center since 2019, so this was a natural partnership. Dave delivered remarks at the event, calling for a commitment to intellectual freedom. He cited his work with RILA's Intellectual Freedom Committee and shared the mandate from that committee that "free people deserve to read freely."
Libraries - public, school, and academic - work to provide accurate and authoritative information so that Rhode Islanders can learn about the past honestly, grapple with these difficult and complex issues, and move forward as a stronger society. A commitment to "Never Again" begins with education and awareness, after which we must all take action to build solidarity with our community, reject division, and stand together against the demonization of any minorities. Dave called for us all to use this observance to reaffirm our belief in a society where everyone is afforded the freedom to be their authentic selves, without fear of persecution or violence, and the freedom to learn from the past and, having learned better, to do better for each other in the future.
Following the event, the RIHGEC and guests were invited to the Senate Chamber, where the proclamation declaring April to be Holocaust & Genocide Awareness Month was read in full before being enacted by the Senate.
Full video of the RIHGEC event at the State House Library can be found at this URL:
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Digital Inclusion and Equity Discussion with Senator Jack Reed
Senator Jack Reed, CommerceRI, and representatives of libraries around the state met on Monday, April 3rd to discuss how libraries are implementing digital skills training and how important libraries are to this work.
The discussion was hosted by Providence Public Library and was facilitated by Karen Mellor, Chief of Library Services at the State Office of Library and Information Services. Beatrice Pulliam, Director of Technology & Information Services at PPL and President-Elect of RILA, gave the opening remarks.
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Rhode Island Genealogical Society Book Sale
The Rhode Island Genealogical Society is hosting a book sale on Saturday, April 22nd, from 10:00am to 2:00pm. Come fill the missing pieces you need for your genealogical reference section or for your own personal research. These books include genealogies, histories, cemetery books, and more covering Rhode Island, New England, and some other areas of the country.
The sale is open to librarians, RIGS members, and the general public. All proceeds support education and programming services offered by Rhode Island Genealogical Society.
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RI School Librarians Present AASL Standards to RIDE
School librarians, including SLRI President Joan Mouradjian, recently visited the RI Department of Education to present a copy of the AASL Standards to RIDE. RIDE approved the standards for statewide use in 2021.
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New Members Needed for the Sensory Friendly Inclusive Group
The Sensory Friendly Inclusive Group (formerly known as the RI Children’s Sensory Storytime Support Group) is looking for new members to join the committee. We are currently recruiting a secretary, co-chair, and social media/blog webmaster. Join our team to learn how to connect with community agencies and other librarians whose mission it is to bring families together and create a sensory friendly environment that welcomes people of all abilities into our libraries.
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Volunteer with the Rhode Island Library Association
RILA members are the key to our success. Together, we work to make RILA a valuable resource for library workers in the Ocean State.
Now with virtual meetings, it’s easier than ever to join one of RILA’s committees, round tables, and sections, or serve as a mentor for an up-and-coming library worker.
RILA service is a great way to meet colleagues from around the state and contribute to the advancement of libraries in Rhode Island. If you’ve got talents and time to share, we would value your contributions!
Click below to learn more about RILAs committees, roundtables, and sections and how you can help.
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In Memoriam
It is with great sadness that Providence Public Library (PPL) recognizes the passing of longtime Library Director Dale Thompson. She died in California surrounded by family on Saturday, March 25th, at the age of 79.
Thompson retired from PPL in January 2014 after nearly 34 years with the Library – 25 as director. During her tenure, PPL achieved numerous successes and was continually recognized as a leading library, most notably becoming only the second urban library to receive the IMLS National Award for Library Service in 2001. Under Thompson’s direction, the Library implemented a variety of innovative community services and programs for youth, adults, and families, a number of which became national models and continue to evolve.
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Rhode Island Challenge Reporting Form
Are you experiencing a materials challenge or other attempt at censorship at your library, school, or other institution in Rhode Island?
Submit a report to the RILA Intellectual Freedom Committee by clicking the button below, and let us know how we can support you.
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News from the Rhode Island Library Community |
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North Providence Union Free Library Investigated for Travel Channel Show "Kindred Spirits"
Have you ever visited the North Providence Union Free Library just to see the famous bust of Salvatore Mancini? The cavernous nature of the building paired with some spooky lore led the library to reach out to the experts to find some answers.
This past September, the North Providence Union Free Library was filmed for 4 nights for the Discovery Plus/Travel Channel show "Kindred Spirits." Click the button below to learn more.
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George Hail Library Receives Grant from Local Warren Heritage Foundation
George Hail is working toward improving our building and meeting ADA requirements. With the help of a local grant of $4,750 from the Warren Heritage Foundation, they've been able to hire Corrie deBoer from Haynes/de Boer architects and draw up plans. Plans include updating the public restroom, adding a new ramp with an automatic door, and, hopefully, an elevator.
Click the button below to learn more.
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Cranston Public Library Hires Carla Jaggi as Library Assistant II at the Central Library
Cranston Public Library is pleased to announce that Carla Jaggi has been hired as full-time Library Assistant II at the Central Library.
Carla joined CPL, part-time, in August 2021 and has proved to be an asset in our circulation department.
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Diane Lebrun joins RILINK Staff
Please welcome Diane Lebrun to the RILINK team.
Diane has been teaching in Burrillville for over 30 years. She was a classroom teacher before beginning her library career in 1997 and has served on many local and state committees in various capacities and leadership positions. Diane will be working in a limited capacity until the end of the school year, at which point she will be completely onboard.
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An Artful Conversation with Local Artist Bill Gallagher
The Greenville Public Library Art Committee held its first "An Artful Conversation...with local artist Bill Gallagher" on Thursday, March 16th, at the library. This was our first program of this type that provides the artist with an audience to talk about themselves and their artwork.
We began the program with an interview style question and answer format, with the audience encouraged to ask their own questions. The artist then discussed his many types of artwork that he on display that night.
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Joanna Burkhardt Appointed to ALA's Be MediaWise Advisory Board
URI Professor Joanna Burkhardt has been selected as an Advisory Board member for the "Be MediaWise: The Misinformation Resilience Toolkit."
The objective for this group is to help create a toolkit of resources to combat misinformation. The toolkit will be widely shared with the hope of reaching those most vulnerable to misinformation.
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Spanish Graphic Novel Book Club/Club de lectura de Novela Gráfica en Español para Niños
A new program at the Pawtucket Public Library is helping children in the community maintain their first language. This monthly Spanish graphic novel book club for kids has been a great way for kids to practice conversing in Spanish or for those who only understand it to encourage them to speak it. The first 10 children who join the book club receive a FREE copy of the book (while supplies last) to encourage participation.
In March, we had a great turn out of 10 participants. The book club started back in January and was to end in March. Yet, the children enjoyed the program so much that the program was extended to May. Books that we have enjoyed in the past few months include Los Tipos Malos by Aaron Blabey and Hombre Perro by Dav Pilkey. To learn more please feel free to contact Maria at 401-725-3714 x209 or mcotto@pawtucketlibrary.org..
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The Rhode Island Library Association
is a professional organization that serves its members through career development, education, advocacy, networking partnerships, and legislative action.
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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 include publishing the RILA Bulletin, managing social media platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter, and exploring other media as needed.
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