In This Issue
Summer Reading Highlights ~ Library Summer Reading Collaboration
 Updates and Highlights from the Community
Letter from the President
June and July have been months of celebration for RILA! We have welcomed the RI Coalition of Library Advocates (COLA) and Cornucopia of Rhode Island (CORI) into our organization as RILA Sections. We completed a 5-year strategic plan and gave out our RILA Awards at our Annual Meeting. 

First, let me introduce you to the new RILA Sections. The RI Coalition of Library Advocates (COLA) works to improve library services through advocacy, education, and public awareness. For over 30 years COLA has supported Rhode Island Libraries through petitions, Congressional testimony, and strategic communications with RI legislators. 

Cornucopia of Rhode Island (CORI) serves the library community of color. CORI mentors librarians and library staff of color, promotes the development of multicultural services and programs, and professional and educational activities. 

Now onto the new RILA Strategic Plan! The RILA 5-year strategic plan is available on our website . We have updated our mission, vision and principles and developed 6 major goals, which include advocacy, professional development and educational opportunities, membership growth, financial management, improved communications, and Board development. Please send feedback of our plan to president@rilibraries.org .

Finally, at our Annual Meeting in June, RILA gave out its annual awards to librarians, paraprofessionals, trustees, friends of libraries, and advocacy champions. A wine and cheese reception followed in honor of the award winners.  A list of the recipients can be found on our website .

In closing, thank you for reading our special summer bulletin. We are taking this latest issue of the RILA Bulletin to celebrate the summer programs going on throughout the libraries in our state. Enjoy!

Kieran Ayton
RILA President
Upcoming RILA Board Meetings
  • August 21, 2018: Executive Board and Strategic Planning Meeting
  • Weaver Library, East Providence
  • September 18, 2018: Full Board
  • William Hall Library, Cranston
Teaser Trailer
Summer Reading Collaboration
Take a look at our upcoming YouTube Video! Coming to you in August 2018

Learn how School and Public Librarians collaborate to create Summer Reading Programs for the community.
Summer Meals at the East Smithfield Public Library
After learning about the Rhode Island Summer Meal program, East Smithfield Children's Librarian, Carol Derosier decided to implement this within the library.

News From the Rhode Island Library Community
News from URI Library School

The Graduate School of Library and Information Studies (GSLIS) at URI has been officially reaccredited (without any concerns noted by the committee on accreditation) for the next seven year accreditation cycle .

Congrats to GSLIS and all the hardworking Faculty and Staff that have accomplished this!
Woonsocket Hosts Traveling Exhibit

The Woonsocket Harris Public Library is pleased to announce that we have been chosen to display "Explore Earth: our Changing Planet" from August 14, 2018 to Oct 4, 2018. The exhibit showcases three areas: Our Changing Planet, Ecosystems: The Web of Life, and Environmental Change at Home.

Twenty different programs including two kick-offs will further explore the topics of the exhibit including:
  • Making s’mores with a solar oven for teens
  • Global Ocean Circulation and Climate change presented by Elizabeth Laliberte Professor from URI
  • Local programs led by Dan Darling of the Woonsocket Water Departments and Mike Debroisse from the Trash and Recycling Department.

See all the programs at our Website or our Facebook page . The Woonsocket Harris Public Library welcomes the library community and their patrons to come and visit our exhibit.
Of Note

Long-time RILA board member and recent co-chair of RILA's Legislative Action Committee, Eileen Dyer, has accepted the position of Director of Swansea Public Library (MA).

Congratulations to Eileen!
Providence Public Library Opens AS220 Archives for Research

Following a several-month archival project, the Special Collections Department at Providence Public Library (PPL) has opened the AS220 Archives to the public for research. 

The initial donation to PPL includes over 110 linear feet of records representing a wide variety of types and formats. Included is over 700 gigabytes of digitized files created to document the history of the organization. 

 Specific topics of interest include:
  • Day planners with handwritten notes by AS220 founder Umberto Crenca documenting the day-to-day activities of the organization.
  • Architectural drawings and records related to the renovations of Empire Street, the Mercantile Block and the Dreyfus Hotel.
  • Over 75 hours of video footage from TV220, a cable-access television show produced by AS220 that ran from 1996-2004.
  • Documentation of visual and performance art at AS220 by artists, including Guillermo Gómez-Peňa, Viola Davis, Shepard Fairey, Brian Chippendale and Genesis P. Orridge.

PPL will continue to digitize content from the AS220 Archives where it will be accessible via www.provlibdigital.org . 
News from Providence Community Library
Cheryl Space Becomes PCL Library Director

The PCL Board of Directors has appointed Cheryl Space as its new Library Director.  

Another Successful Year for PCL’s GED in Spanish Program

The GED in Spanish program goes from strength to strength!  Students, friends, families and staff gathered on Saturday, June 16 to celebrate the achievements of a further 24 students, ranging in age from 17 to 64, who completed PCL's award-winning Spanish language GED preparation program.

The achievements of the GED Class of 2018 would not have been possible without the work of PCL literacy teacher Hipolito Reyes, technology tutor Emilia, Latino Program Coordinator Carolina Briones and Program Development and Community Relations Coordinator, Michelle Novello. 

Legal Literacy Program Takes Olneyville Library into the Laundromat, Flea Market, Bus Station and Housing Development

PCL and Libraries Without Borders will partner to provide direct services to Olneyville residents as they use the local laundromat, explore in the flea market and return home to the Manton Heights housing development. The Legal Literacy Initiative strives to bring library services and legal resources to everyday places frequented by residents and provides help with issues such as immigration and housing law. For the more information click here.
Save the Dates! Statewide Library Events
NELA & RILA Joint 2018 Annual Conference
21st to 23rd October, 2018

Join us for the annual conference titled "The Library is Your Space"

Grant and Scholarship Opportunities
Joint Conference of Librarians of Color Travel Grant

ALA is pleased to invite you to apply for a great opportunity -- the ALA ODLOS Travel JCLC Travel grants! The grants provide $1,000 for travel, housing and registration for the 2018 JCLC. Two individuals will be chosen to receive travel grants. For more information on the conference, visit  http://www.jclcinc.org/conference/2018/ . 
NETSL Executive Board call for Nominations

Each year the New England Technical Services Librarians ( NETSL) holds elections to fill open positions on the Board. If you are enthusiastic about innovations in technical services, are interested in contributing to regional technical services programming, and would like to have direct input into the direction of NETSL as an organization, consider running for a position on the NETSL Executive Board.
IMLS Grant Opportunities Announced

Applications are open for National Leadership and Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Grant Programs. 
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 emailing the editors: communications@rilibraries.org