As I sit here typing this, I am thinking about how quickly the last two years have gone by. With the conference just around the corner, my term as RILA President is coming to a close. It truly has been an honor to work with so many wonderful people on the Executive and Full Boards as well as all the other wonderful volunteers who work on our various committees and roundtables. It is clear that our profession is thriving when looking at all the dedicated people who work to make RILA everything it can be. I would like to put out a call to everyone in RILA to consider volunteer to serve on one of the committees or volunteers. This organization wouldn't be able to survive without such people.

Over the past few years, our board team was able to accomplish the following things:

As mentioned above, all of this is due to the various members of RILA's Executive and Full Boards and of our various committees and roundtables. I would link to thank each and every one of them for these accomplishments. I hope they will inspire all of you to help RILA continue to be a successful professional organization.

This spring, RILA and the Coalition of Library Advocates (COLA) collaborated on a powerful library advocacy TV spot .  It is part of a "Take Action Now!" statewide library advocacy campaign to encourage library patrons and the general public to call and email their elected officials to voice their support for all RI Libraries.  Individuals can visit the   Secretary of State website and click on the " Look up General Voter Information " tab to find their local legislators.

RILA and COLA are encouraging the public to tell their legislators, "I support and depend on my local library for"

Why?

In the first week in June, the RI State House will make final decisions on the state budget for the next fiscal year.  As we know, the State has leveled funded its allocation to public libraries across the state, and libraries are currently receiving less than the 25% of their city or town's allocation for library support allowed by state law.  We want to raise the state funding to the full 25% level and we need your support in persuading the Assembly to do so. Every dollar counts and provides support for vital programming and services throughout Rhode Island. We need your help.

Please spread the word!  For more information, visit http://rilibraries.org/support

RILA and the Coalition of Library Advocates (COLA) are in the process of raising funds for TV ad time to air this powerful library advocacy video

Cox Cable: Cox Plus, NESN-TV, 2 in game Red Sox spots, ESPN sports center mornings, CNN mornings, FXNC mornings, Golf weekends and "Origins: Journey of Man" show on National Geographic Channel.

Please consider making a donation towards the TV ad time.  RILA and COLA have fully financed the production costs of the video.   We are looking to the broader library community to help make it possible to invest in an appropriate ad buy for airing the commercial in a way that will help us reach the intended audience The ad buy will require an investment of approximately $10,000 in order to achieve that goal.   All money raised as part of this drive will be dedicated to the ad buy.

Donors contributing any dollar amount will be recognized on the RILA website.

The following donation categories will additionally include:

RILA hopes to receive donations before June 3, 2017.

Checks can be sent to:

RILA

Cumberland Public Library

1464 Diamond Hill Road

Cumberland, Rhode Island 02864

Online donations and more information can be found at: http://rilibraries.org/donate

RILA and COLA would like to thank our donors who have contributed towards the TV ad time.  Your support helps the Rhode Island Library Community to grow stronger in these challenging times.  It allows our organizations to better advocate for all RI Libraries.

RILA and COLA would also like to thank those involved in the production and marketing of this advocacy video.   Stepha nie Alvarez Ewens was our videographer.  Stephanie is a photographer/filmmaker.  She is  based in Rhode Island but available for travel throughout New England.  Her work has been published in both local and national publications. Her clients include artists, designers, schools, and organizations throughout New England.  Stephanie can be contacted at [email protected] / (401) 484-1651.  Her website is: http://www.stephanieewens.com

Tony Aguilar was our marketing and public relations manager for this project  Tony is the founder and principal of New Flavor Media, LLC, an advertising and publishing company.  He is a marketing professional with expert knowledge of the entire advertising spectrum and has worked in advertising in Los Angeles, New York City and with his own company New Flavor Media, in Providence, RI. His company has successfully launched brands by using market strategy and all media. Tony can be contacted at [email protected] / (401) 331-1413.  His website is: https://www.newflavormedia.com/

Olneyville Library Reopens!

Olneyville Library reopened its doors to patrons on May 15. The library suffered damage in April 2016 when heavy rains caused a rise in the water table underneath the building. Supportive local residents raised $10,000 at a June fundraiser to help with the cost of renovations and after extensive work on the building, which now features new carpet, fittings and moveable furniture, the library looks like new. Staff and volunteers have worked very hard getting the library collection out of storage and back on display.

Olneyville Library is now fully open for business. PCL is currently organizing an appropriate celebration to thank the community for its support and patience during the closure.

Computer Builders Program

PCL has successfully piloted an exciting an exciting, hands-on project that trains youth ages 12 to 17 how to build computers. The Computer Builders Program produces fully functioning devices that replace aging machines in the library's existing computer labs. The prototypes were built at Olneyville Library during the April school recess and the project attracted much interest when it was exhibited at the Rhode Island Robot Block Party exhibition at Brown University on April 30.

The one week course is the brainchild of David Sok, PCL's IT Manager. David came up with the Computer Builders Program as imaginative way to replace computer hardware through innovative educational programming. The result is a win-win for everyone; the library produces bespoke devices at reduced replacement cost and young people acquire skills that equip them to compete in the twenty-first century job market.
The course features two hours of instruction a day. Students begin by learning about computer components and what they do and how they interact with one another. They learn about the hardware of different manufacturers and which parts are compatible between systems. What makes a computer a good one? How can you make it even better? The course concludes with the hands-on build of the new computer, with participants working in pairs to put together a single device. Participants receive a certificate of course completion and plaques are fitted on the computers stating the names of the builders and the date of assembly. Kids have the additional satisfaction of seeing their computers used by library patrons every time they visit the library.

Three program participants and proud family members accompanied David and PCL staff to the Pizzitola Center at Brown University on April 30 to show off the new devices. While exhibiting and visiting organizations took a closer look, tweens and teens touring the displays happily took turns surfing and playing on the computers until closing time. The Computer Builders Program is now receiving statewide attention from IT professionals who see potential in this approach to solving some of the IT challenges currently facing Rhode Island libraries.

The pilot program was made possible thanks to a grant from the United Way Olneyville Community Fund and will be replicated at other PCL locations. The biggest surprise? Absolutely no drop-outs. "I had anticipated some kids would stop coming." Said David. "We asked tweens and teens to come in during their school vacation, sit down, look at a whiteboard and concentrate for two hours every day. But every day, they came back. They loved the experience and all 16 participants finished the course."

 

Joyce May has been promoted to the Assistant Director/Adult Services position at the East Providence Public Library effective May 1, 2017.  Joyce has been a member of the East Providence Public Library professional staff since June, 2002.







NELLS Deadline Extended for RI Applicants!

• getting to know your leadership style
• interpersonal communication
• presentation skills
• managing differences
• risk taking
• the library within the community
• using power and influence
• understanding libraries as organizational systems
• transforming libraries
• the leader as a catalyst for change
• the leader's role as coach and mentor
• achieving your potential