In This Issue

President's Corner ~ CORI's Annual Fall Mini-Conference a Success ~ Save the Date: Virtual Summit ~ Apply Now: Peggy Barber Tribute Grant ~ Spotlight on RILA Leadership Opportunities ~ Best Books of 2024 Survey ~ RI Library News ~ 2025 RILA Conference Save the Date

As the year draws to a close, it is natural to reflect in the moment and ponder what may lie ahead. No matter where you are with this year-end tradition, know that our library work and services will continue to be integral. In addition, our libraries have always been trusted, resilient partners in our communities, and RILA will continue to champion the freedom to read as protected by the First Amendment.

Now more than ever is the time to do what we do best: utilize our professional training and expertise to support free inquiry and access through our rich collections and thoughtfully developed programs and services. RILA is here to support you and the great work you do in your communities.

Wishing you a healthy and safe New Year,

Beatrice Pulliam, RILA President

president@rilibraries.org

CORI's Annual Fall Mini-Conference a Success

Cornucopia of Rhode Island: A Library Community of Color (COR), annual fall mini conference was held virtually on Thursday, November 7, 2024. Keith W. Stokes, associate director, State of Rhode Island Division of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion once again mesmerized the attendees with his vast knowledge of the history of African Americans and Indigenous people in Rhode Island. The mini conference was slated for an hour, and many wished it could have been extended.

Librarians, library directors and support staff from Rhode Island and throughout the United States listened attentively as Stokes described the history of the first recorded epidemic, New England's Great Dying, which wiped out hundreds of Native Americans along the Massachusetts Bay.

Stokes shared his expertise on the history of the Newport African American Burying Ground, God’s Little Acre, the business of slavery in Rhode Island and the driving force of the rum distilleries. Many attendees were unaware of the Free African Union Society, an organization which evolved so that Blacks would have access to schools, education, churches, businesses, and homes in Rhode Island.

Stokes presented a lot of extremely interesting and riveting information on Rhode Island history. He suggested that libraries become involved in the dissemination of Rhode Island African American history by contacting The Rhode Island Black Heritage Society https://www.riblackheritage.org/ which provides exhibits and programs, as they collect and document the contributions of Blacks in Rhode Island.

Stokes has presented several times at CORI’s mini conferences and at RILA conferences. He has never failed in enlightening the participants with new facts and leaving them wanting more as he brings history to life and simultaneously elevating our knowledge. Stokes shared a selected bibliography which can found on CORI’s blog.

Save the Date: Virtual Summit

OLIS invites you to save the date for "Library Greenscapes: Cultivating Climate Resilience, Community, and Learning Outdoors." This virtual event will take place on Tuesday, February 4, from 1:00pm to 2:30pm and will feature a keynote from Massachusetts landscape architect Lisa Giersbach of the G2 Collaborative and a panel discussion of librarians from Vermont, Massachusetts, and Maryland who have transformed their library's exterior landscapes.

More information and a registration link will be forthcoming. We hope to see you there! This virtual event is brought to you by the Northeast Summit on Climate Adaptation for Library Facilities, which consists of state library agencies from Maine to Maryland.

Apply Now: Peggy Barber Tribute Grant

ALA invites library workers to apply for the fifth annual Peggy Barber Tribute Grant, a programming grant named after the transformative ALA leader responsible for the creation of National Library Week and the Celebrity READ series.

The Peggy Barber Tribute Grant is offered annually by ALA’s Public Programs Office which recognizes, promotes, and supports meaningful programs in libraries that have limited and/or no access to budgetary support for programming. This grant aims to help ease budget challenges by annually awarding up to three libraries $2,500 to support a proposed program, program series, or programming effort. 

Each year, the grant focuses on supporting a specific type of library programming. For the 2024–2025 cycle, libraries are invited to submit applications for a grant related to combatting social isolation for older adults. 

Applications for the award will be accepted from December 2, 2024, to February 3, 2025. Read the grant guidelines and apply online.

All library types - including public, academic, K-12, tribal and special libraries - in the U.S. or U.S. territories are eligible. Applicants must have a personal or institutional membership with either the American Library Association OR the Association for Rural & Small Libraries. Questions? Please email publicprograms@ala.org. 

SPOTLIGHT

on RILA Board Positions

Available in 2025

Vice President/President-Elect

This is a key leadership position that works with the RILA President on a variety of RILA special projects & strategic planning, serves on the Budget & Finance committee and may also serve on one of RILA's other Standing committees (e.g. Conference, Membership, Communications).

• The Vice President/President-Elect is a voting member of the RILA Executive Board
• Nominated by RILA Nominating Committee or self-nomination
• Current RILA membership required
• Term: 3 years / (1 year as VP; 1 year as President; 1 year as Past-President)

RILA State Representative to NELA

• The position also represents RILA on the NELA Executive Board and serves as a liaison from NELA to RILA. 
• Current RILA & NELA joint membership required
• Term: 3 years (follows ALA and NELA Terms)



Member-at-Large (1)

• This is an outreach focused position that assists with a variety of RILA special projects & strategic planning, and may serve on one of RILA's Standing committees (e.g. Conference, Membership, Communications, etc.)
• Current RILA membership required
• Term: 2 years

These open board positions provide an opportunity to gain valuable, professional, executive board experience while giving back to the library profession.

For more information about this position, please contact president@rilibraries.org

Best Books of 2024 Survey

As 2024 comes to an end, tell us about your favorite book(s) that you read this year!

Performer/Educator Table Top Vendor Fair

Calling all Magicians, Puppeteers, Artists, Musicians, Storytellers and Instructors with shows or programs geared for families, kids and teens. We are hosting a fair just for you.

The Fair will be January 23, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. please register to reserve a space.

Dorothy J. Swain's Retirement

The Greenville Public Library Board of Trustees announces the retirement of Library Director, Dorothy J. Swain. Swain’s last day will be Friday, December 20th. The community will be invited to wish Dorothy farewell at a reception at the Library on Wednesday, December 18th from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm.

Swain began her career at the Greenville Public Library in 1988 as a Reference Assistant. In 2001, she was appointed Assistant Director. Swain was appointed Library Director in January of 2015.

Prior to joining the Greenville Library staff, Swain worked for Cranston Public Library for 15 years and North Providence Library for 3 and a half years. She received her Masters of Library Science from the University of Rhode Island in 1986. While serving as Assistant Director, Swain ran many popular programs for adults, including two beloved and long-running book clubs. She was also responsible for supporting the Library’s fundraising efforts with the Friends of the Library and Board of Trustees.

During her tenure as Director, Swain oversaw the expansion of the Library parking lot and creation of a new egress and entrance onto Pleasant View Ave. This project, funded by the Champlin Foundation, greatly improved safe access to the Library away from Rt. 44. Swain has also been a steadfast steward and champion of our giant sequoia tree, dubbing the park-like area Sequoia Square, where the Library hosts a variety of outdoor activities.

Most recently she has supported the Board of Trustees Heritage Committee and Art Committee by helping to develop engaging educational and entertaining programs, including bringing a Chinese dragon boat to the Library.

In addition to her responsibilities at the Greenville Library, Swain served on a number of committees and boards, including having an active role in the Office of Library and Information Services (OLIS) roundtables, New England Library Association (NELA) and the Rhode Island Library Association (RILA). In recent years she was a founding member of the RILA Mentorship program with her colleagues, sharing her expertise and knowledge to encourage the growth of her profession. She was one of the founding members of the Smithfield All-Lit-Up Christmas Parade and served on the committee for several years. She has also been active in the Chamber of Commerce, and in 2015, she was appointed President of the North Central Chamber of Commerce, now known as the Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce.

North Providence Welcomes Creative Content Coordinator Maura White

North Providence Union Free Library is pleased to announce the hiring of Maura White. In addition to her role as Administrative Assistant, Maura will also be the first of her kind at our library- Creative Content Coordinator. As Creative Content Coordinator, Maura plans to add unique visual aspects to library departments in a new and exciting manner. These aspects include hand-cut homemade props and signs to bring new life and attention to some existing overlooked areas and displays. Her unique perspective will enhance already existing services and programs, especially seasonal and special events like our annual Holiday Bazaar, Thrift Store, and fundraisers.

Maura White formed a lifelong creative background first in writing and later in handmade design. After graduating with two degrees in communications, she followed her dream of working with greeting cards. Thriving on highly creative products she wrote and developed her own designs eventually seeing another dream develop later on. She started a small business creating sparkling awards and fun certificates for well over 200 designs. In between, she developed merchandising skills working in gift shops and retail. Maura has a love of creating, using lettering, texture and color. Working in this new position just might be another dream in the making.

Book Bans to Kids Reading: 5 Questions with Community Libraries of Providence's Cheryl Space

Hashtag: "#LibrarianRockstar."

That was how the Rhode Island Center for The Book described Cheryl Space when it announced earlier this fall that it had chosen her for this year's Page Turner Award. The award "recognizes a librarian or educator who has made a significant contribution to the center's mission and has inspired a love of reading throughout Rhode Island."

"Great librarians make people feel welcome, empower them to be independent learners, and connect them to vital services and opportunities. As Library Director of the Community Libraries of Providence, Cheryl Space does all that and more," U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, a champion of public libraries, said when the announcement was made.

In a question-and-answer exchange with The Journal, Space, 55, the director of the Community Libraries of Providence, talked a bit about herself, her tips for parents to inspire a love of reading in their children, her thoughts about book bans and what Rhode Island needs to do to keep them at bay. And a treat: her own favorite books.