In This Issue

President's Corner ~ RILA Annual Conference ~ RILA Board and Award Nominations ~ Legislative Action Update ~ Library Advocacy Day ~ WORKSHOP: Managing the Message ~ RIGS Funding Opportunities ~ News from RI Libraries

I am writing this month’s letter on a very snowy February morning that does not jibe with Punxsutawney Phil’s “prediction” that spring will arrive earlier this year. Yet, things are moving forward. In this issue of the Bulletin, you will hear from Ed Garcia and Cheryl Space, RILA’s Legislative Action Committee (LAC) Co-Chairs, with a preview of what to expect this legislative session, including the four important library bills recently introduced in the state legislature. It is LAC’s work with our lobbyist (yes, RILA has one) and legislators who support libraries and the important work that you all do that helps move this positive legislation forward. You can also read more about this year’s legislative priorities on our website.

The School Librarians of RI's (SLRI's) “Managing the Message'' virtual workshop with WPRI’s Ted Nesi has been rescheduled to March 19th at 4:00pm. All RILA members are welcome to attend. Registration info is available below.

Our annual Library Advocacy Day at the State House takes place on April 11th from 2:00-4:00pm this year. RILA’s Library Advocacy Day falls within National Library Week. RILA Members-at-Large Nomi Hague and Lisa Richter have some fun things planned for our April 11th event, and we hope to see you there. 

Inside this issue, we also share more about this year’s RILA Conference keynote speakers, award-winning author and artist Raúl the Third and AASL President Courtney Pentland. Our merry band of Conference Committee members is ably led by Tina Ash and Alyssa Taft, and everyone is working hard to make our conference in May a memorable one. 

Finally, know a colleague who should be recognized for their contributions to their library community? Consider nominating them for a RILA Award. Submission deadline is March 29th, 2024.

It takes many hands to move things forward. Sometimes the progress can feel very slow and change seems incremental, but RILA cannot do any of this work without support (membership, time volunteered, feedback, etc.) from members and library allies like you.

Beatrice Pulliam, RILA President

president@rilibraries.org

2024 RILA Annual Conference

The Conference Committee is delighted to announce our 2024 RILA Conference keynote speakers.

2024 RILA Board Nominations Now Open

Each election year, RILA members may self-nominate for open positions on the RILA Executive Board. This year, we have 1 open board seat:



• Library Paraprofessional

The 2024 Nominating Committee, chaired by the vice president, will put forth a slate of candidates to fill any open roles; however, any RILA member in good standing can also self-nominate in accordance with the RILA by-laws, which state:

Those members interested in nominating themselves for any position(s) on the Executive Board, should complete a Right of Petition at least 90 days before the annual business meeting. The petition must have 20 signatures of members of the Association supporting the person for the nomination. This would allow the name to be included in the Nominating Committee’s presentation of names to the Executive Board.

If you wish to self-nominate, please click below and complete the RILA Executive Board Self-Nomination Form by February 23, 2024.

2024 RILA Awards Nominations Now Open

Submissions are now open for the 2024 RILA Awards, to be presented at the Annual Meeting on May 22nd. Award nominations are due by March 29th.

Click below to learn about the criteria for each award and to submit a nomination.

Thank you for considering those special people who have made a contribution to your library and community!

Legislative Action Update

It’s been a busy legislative session for the Rhode Island Library Association. The Legislative Action Committee has been advocating for key issues from the 2024 Legislative Priorities, including fully funding state aid to libraries, protecting the freedom to read, and fair pricing for ebooks. 

• H7575/S2429 - These bills add protections in the form of an affirmative defense for educators and museum and library workers into state obscenity laws, in recognition of the thoughtful and deliberate manner in which librarians and educators select materials to use with students (collection development) and reconsider if there is a challenge (reconsideration policy). The defense is meant to protect against attempts to criminalize having items that a small minority finds objectionable in classroom, library, or museum collections. Rhode Island is the only New England state that does not have protections codified into state law. 

• H7508 - The library ebook pricing bill - this new version does not conflict with copyright law, but rather is grounded in RI consumer protection law. The new bill is an attempt to secure equitable public access to electronic resources through libraries via fair pricing and distribution from publishers. This proposed bill uses the power of the state government to regulate the terms of consumer contracts and protect public policy. A Senate companion bill is pending.

• H7335 - Since the Governor level-funded state aid, 24 libraries will lose funding in FY25. This bill calls for the General Assembly to fully fund state aid to libraries and AskRI in FY25. A Senate companion bill is pending.

• H7386/S2281 - The Freedom to Read Act. These bills codify the Right to Read into state law. The bills also prohibit external influences on public libraries to acquire and deaccession materials and prohibit removal, banning, or censoring materials based on political and doctrinal disapproval.

RILA members, please reach out to the state delegation from your library’s city or town to let them know why these issues matter to people living and working in their home district! If you need support or a listening ear to help you prepare your talking points or letters, reach out to libadvocacy@rilibraries.org. Thank you!

Ed Garcia & Cheryl Space, Co-Chairs RILA Legislative Action Committee

Celebrate National Library Week with Us

at the RI State House!

Join us for Library Advocacy Day, an annual event held at the State House to show solidarity for all libraries in Rhode Island. Visit representatives from various library organizations to learn more about the important work being done by library workers at all levels, and share stories from your own library!

Hear from dedicated RI senators and representatives who are sponsoring bills critical to libraries:

• Legislation providing legal protections to library workers who advocate for the Freedom to Read
• Legislation requiring reasonable pricing and terms for licensed digital ebooks and audiobooks that are sold to libraries in Rhode Island



Library Advocacy Day takes place at the RI State House on April 11th from 2:00-4:00 pm.

Managing the Message: How to Make Clear and Succinct Points When Facing a Book Challenge

Join us for for the next SLRI Conversation Series event on Tuesday, March 19th, from 4:00 to 5:00pm.

WPRI Journalist Ted Nesi will facilitate a virtual workshop on "Managing the Message: How to Make Clear and Succinct Points When Facing a Book Challenge." Click the button below to register.

SLRI members will receive a certificate of participation.

Rhode Island Genealogical Society - Funding Opportunities

The Rhode Island Genealogical Society (RIGS) welcomes applications for small amounts of funding in support of purchases, content, or preservation of records to those researching Rhode Island ancestors.

Public or non-profit libraries within Rhode Island or non-profit organizations serving as repositories are welcome to apply for funding. Awards typically range from $300 to $2000. All awards will require a final report within 12 months.

Book Lovers Local Author Expo at Cumberland Public Library

The Cumberland Public Library is hosting a Book Lovers Local Author Expo on Saturday, February 24th, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm. Almost 40 authors will be

participating this year.

Come and meet talented wordsmiths, and learn more about writing and publishing. You can even peruse some of their works and, perhaps, make some cozy purchases to help keep you reading through these cool winter months.

Dave’s Marketplace and Stop & Shop Cumberland are sponsoring refreshments for the event, which will include light desserts, fresh food, and drinks.

East Smithfield Public Library Makerspace

For the past year and a half, the East Smithfield Public Library has opened its Makerspace. The Makerspace offers patrons access to emerging technology, such as a 3D printer, an infusible ink printer, programmable bots, a laser cutter, Cricut machines, and laptops. The focus of the Makerspace is to encourage library patrons to turn their ideas, visions, and sketches into reality, through instruction and collaboration with librarians and Makerspace staff. What the patrons create is impressive. We are inspired by what we have seen.

In addition to high-tech equipment, the Makerspace also retains traditional arts and crafts equipment and materials, including beads, chalks, paints, and clay. The variety of opportunities in the Makerspace and its range of resources allow patrons to explore hands-on crafting methods that may also be enhanced and enlivened with technology. It’s fun to watch an idea transform into something you can see, touch, and share.

The Makerspace is an exciting place because, from the beginning, all ideas from librarians, staff, crafters, and patrons are considered. They all help navigate our direction moving forward.

Discover Warren's History on the Library Walls!

Get ready for a splash of history at the George Hail Free Library! Youth Services Librarian Michaela Hutchinson, Director Chris Matos, and local artist Mallory Angell have teamed up to create an historically inspired mural in the Youth Services room.

This isn't your ordinary mural—it's an adventure! Covering four walls, it'll be a treasure hunt of hidden objects, each with a story tied to Warren and the library. But here's the twist: it's a community creation! Warren residents will have the power to name the mural and dive into the artistic action by helping paint sections of it.

The library will host a "Community Painting Day" on Friday, February 23rd. We're calling on local students to join us in adding color to the mural under the guidance of Angell. Special thanks to the Warren Heritage Foundation, the Jay Barry Cultural Arts Committee, and the Friends of the Library for making this project possible.

Salve Regina Welcomes Olivia Jones to McKillop Library

Salve Regina’s McKillop Library is pleased to welcome Olivia Jones as our new Special Programs and Instruction Librarian.

Olivia earned her MLIS from the University of Rhode Island and completed a semester-long internship at McKillop Library in Spring, 2020. Soon after, she joined the staff at Portsmouth Free Public Library as the Children’s Librarian, where she managed collections and budgets as well as all programming and community outreach for her department. Olivia appeared regularly on Portsmouth’s public access channel, where she promoted upcoming library events and discussed ways that libraries positively impact communities, foster kindness and compassion among patrons, and champion intellectual freedom.

Olivia brings these strong values to Salve Regina, where she will facilitate McKillop Library’s popular book discussion group, Inclusive Reading Club, in collaboration with our Office of Multicultural Programs & Retention. She will also promote library collections and campus events in the library that showcase the scholarly work of faculty and students in the Salve community. In addition, Olivia is a member of the research and instruction team as our Business and Economics librarian, as well as liaison to other selected academic departments. Please join us in welcoming Olivia to Salve Regina University!