In This Issue

President's Corner ~ Call for Submissions: Roger Williams Park StoryWalk ~ Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with the 2026 RI Latino Books Award Nominees ~ Banned Books Week Event: 1984 and How We Protect Our Freedoms ~ Dave Bartos Appointed Vice-Chair of the Rhode Island Holocaust and Genocide Education Commission (RIHGEC) ~ It's Bittersweet: CORI's Farewell Celebration ~ News from the Rhode Island Library Community ~ Save the Date: RILA Annual Conference 2026 ~ Open Board Positions in 2026

Cooler weather has finally arrived and with it a busy season for RILA. 

Cornucopia of Rhode Island (CORI) held their Farewell Celebration on September 25 at the Rhode Island State Library at the RI State House in Providence. I was pleased to see so many past and current CORI members – including past presidents and founding members – as well as representatives from libraries and similar organizations. Thank you to the last president, Danielle Skeldon, for guiding CORI in its final year, as well as all committee members. Please read the CORI news item below and click through to see more pictures from the event!

RILA partnered with the ACLU of RI for Banned Books Week for an event on Oct. 6 at the Cranston Public Library. ACLU/RI was inspired by ALA’s Theme this year, which is “Censorship is so 1984.” Thank you to the combined efforts of ACLU of RI’s Madalyn McGunagle and Zoe Chakoian, RILA’s IFC Chair Tayla Cardillo, and the Cranston Public Library. There were about 80 people in attendance! Please read the ACLU news item below and click through for more pictures!

For the third year, RILA is sending two representatives to the ALA Chapter Advocacy Workshop in December. Attending this year will be RILA Vice President Kiki Butler and SLRI Vice President Jillian Waugh. The workshop provides ALA and AASL Chapter Leaders additional skills and knowledge to lead their association advocacy efforts. 

RILA is also sending two representatives to ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom Law for Librarians program. Attending this year will be RILA ALA Councilor Catherine Damiani and Paraprofessional Representative Lynda LaCava. The program seeks to develop the next generation of intellectual freedom advocates who will be equipped to provide support and expertise to library workers now and for the years to come. Candidates will be asked to commit to mastering the subject matter and to providing training and consultations on intellectual freedom and privacy to public, school, and academic libraries for a minimum of two years.

Thinking about getting involved with RILA? Joining the executive board is a great opportunity to give back to the library community, work with other dedicated librarians, and expand your network. At this time, the following positions are open: Vice President/President-Elect and Member-at-Large (both). You can find more information below.

Remember to save the date for the 2026 Annual Conference: May 20-21. RILA will be returning to the University of Rhode Island, Center for Biotechnology and Life Sciences.

As always, please take care of yourselves as we continue to navigate this difficult time. Stay active and advocate for libraries. The RILA Legislative Action Committee is working hard and diligently on their 2026 Legislative Agenda. Keep your eyes on the RILA website and list-serv for future announcements. The Rhode Island library community may be small compared with other states, but this is our strength. Reach out to your communities, RILA, and your neighboring libraries. We are closer than we all think.

Best,

Ben

Ben Hanley, RILA President

president@rilibraries.org

Call for Submissions: Roger Williams Park StoryWalk

The Stormwater Innovation Center is installing an interactive StoryWalk along the path surrounding the Roger Williams Park ponds. Several interactive stations will feature community-sourced art and stories to amplify community voices and educate the public on the history and ecology of Roger Williams Park, stormwater and wildlife management, and how our actions impact the watershed.

Submissions deadline: November 30th, 2025. 

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with the 2026 RI Latino Books Award Nominees

The RI Latino Books Award Committee is proud to announce the 2026 RI Latino Books Award Nominees, just in time for the start of Hispanic Heritage Month. Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15th through October 15th. The Rhode Island Latino Books Award and Rhode Island Latino Arts promote books for young readers, written by Latino/Latina/Latinx authors & illustrators.

The RILBA current and past nominees can be found in the RI public library catalog. Search for the titles in our catalog. It is also available electronically on the eZone including eBooks & audiobooks.

Visit our website to print out the flyer, book labels, poster, and for more information.

Banned Books Week Event: 1984 and How We Protect Our Freedoms

In celebration of Banned Books Week 2025, the Rhode Island Library Association partnered with the Rhode Island ACLU affiliate to host a discussion on the frequently challenged and historically banned book, 1984 by George Orwell. Local author and journalist Philip Eil read selected excerpts from 1984, sparking a thought-provoking and engaging discussion among the 100 attendees. The discussion explored the novel’s continued relevance, drawing connections between Orwell’s themes and contemporary issues today. 

Dave Bartos Appointed Vice-Chair of the Rhode Island Holocaust and Genocide Education Commission (RIHGEC)

Dave Bartos, coordinator of adult services at Cranston Public Library, will be serving as vice-chair of the Rhode Island Holocaust and Genocide Education Commission (RIHGEC), appointed by the Governor Daniel J McKee through October 2027. The mission of the RIHGEC is to empower educators and their school communities to integrate learning about the Holocaust and other genocides as integral parts of their school cultures and studies, as well as provide public programming around the state to further awareness of the Holocaust and other genocides. 

It's Bittersweet: CORI's Farewell Celebration

Incorporated in September 2005, Cornucopia of Rhode Island: A Library Community of Color hosted their last event following a heavy rainfall on Thursday evening September 25, 2025, at the Rhode Island State Library. The farewell celebration speakers included Rhode Island United States Senator and library champion, Jack Reed, a staunch supporter of CORI since its inception. Senator Reed's congratulatory and auspicious remarks will always remind librarians nationwide how fortunate we are to have his backing.

Cornucopia of Rhode Island would like to thank the Rhode Island Library Association, the School Librarians of Rhode Island, the Office of Library & Information Services, and the Rhode Island library community for their assistance and support throughout the years. We are grateful to have worked with such an amazing group of colleagues. 

Warren Library Celebrates 4th of July 250

The George Hail Free Library has created an exhibit of items and documents dating back 250 years. You can see this in person or through our digital collection.

To see the digital collection and to learn more, click here.

Weaver Library Reimagined: A Welcoming Space for the Community

Weaver Library has completed a redesign to create a more welcoming, functional, and community-centered space. With new furniture, improved layouts, child-friendly features, and vibrant displays, the renovation reflects the library’s mission to serve patrons of all ages and was made possible through generous community support.

News from Cranston Public Library

Nomi Hague Appointed Auburn Branch Librarian

The Cranston Public Library is happy to announce the appointment of Nomi Hague as the new Auburn Branch Librarian. Nomi steps into the role following the retirement of longtime branch librarian Karen McGrath, who served the library and community for 39 years.

To read more about Nomi, click here.

Cranston Public Library Welcomes New Information Technology Manager

The Cranston Public Library is pleased to announce the hiring of Joseph Silveria as the library’s new Information Technology Manager. 

To read more about Joseph, click here.

Ed Garcia, Director of Cranston Public Library, Honored with Rhode Island Center for the Book Page Turner Award

Rhode Island Center for the Book is proud to announce that Ed Garcia, Director of the Cranston Public Library, has been named the recipient of this year’s Page Turner Award. Established in 2023, the Page Turner Award recognizes a librarian or educator who has made a significant contribution to the Center’s mission and inspired a love of reading throughout Rhode Island.

To read more about Ed, click here.

Maria Cotto Serves on the 2026 Theodor Seuss Geisel Award Selection Committee

Maria Cotto, Bilingual Children's Librarian at the Pawtucket Public Library has been selected to serve on the 2026 Theodor Seuss Geisel Award Selection Committee

Each year the committee selects children's books published in the preceding year in English in the United States with the most distinguished American book for beginner readers in Pre-K through 2nd grade. The Theodor Seuss Geisel Award Selection Committee consists of seven members. The award presentation will take place at the ALA Youth Media Awards in Chicago, Il in January 27, 2026.

RI Librarian Liz Gotauco is a Debut Author

Liz Gotauco, children's librarian in Cumberland, has long been moonlighting on TikTok as a fairy tale storyteller for adults for half a million followers (@cosbrarian). This month, she became a debut author with F*cked Up Fairy Tales: Sinful Cinderellas, Prince Alarmings, and Other Timeless Classics from W.W. Norton. The book is based on her web series, celebrating bawdy, shocking, and hilarious folk and fairy tales that time has forgotten (sometimes for good reason).

Toy Slumber Party at the RI State Police Museum!

In celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Rhode Island State Police, Hope Library hosted a one-of-a-kind family event: a Toy Slumber Party at the RI State Police Museum on Saturday, September 27 at 2:00 PM.

Children were invited to bring a favorite stuffed animal or doll for a special afternoon at the museum, followed by an unforgettable overnight adventure for their toys.

The fun began with a guided tour of the museum and a special showing of the beloved film Corduroy. Afterward, children headed home, while their stuffed companions stayed behind to enjoy a night full of surprises with Trooper Boots, the RI State Police bear mascot.

As Trooper Boots led the toys through their overnight escapades, museum and library staff captured the magic in photos. Each child received a personalized keepsake storybook, complete with highlights of their toy’s adventures, when they returned to pick them up the following morning, Sunday, September 28 at 10:00 AM.

Families could also follow along in real-time by checking out updates on social media at #NightattheRIStatePoliceMuseum. The event was covered by Channel 10 News.

A Spooky Night at Knight to Raise Funds for Community Libraries of Providence

Come join CLPVD for a ghoulish evening at our historical Knight Memorial Library. We promise to scare up some spectacles and give you a chance to dance, mingle and enjoy tasty bites & drinks. Get your tickets and choose a costume. Dust off your broom and fly on down for a haunting good time you won’t soon forget!

Buy tickets NOW for CLPVD’s Halloween cocktail fundraiser and save 25% off the price! Put on your spookiest attire, invite family and friends and enjoy a monstrously good time!

Spooky Night at Knight will be held on Thursday, October 30 from 6:00PM -10:00PM at Knight Memorial Library, 275 Elmwood Avenue, Providence. Tickets are available for purchase and required for admission.

Judy Akid's "The Influence of Diverse Children's Books in Shaping Social and Political Identity: Exploring the Effects of Representation, Banning, and Cultural Perception"

This summer, Judy Akid, a Children's Associate at the North Providence Union Free Library and a junior in Political Science, conducted research on how themes of social representation, identity, and politics are portrayed in Arab-American children's books. Working with Dr. Gizem Zencirci, chair of the Middle East Studies Program at Providence College, Judy built on her work experience at the North Providence Children's Library to design an original project. Rather than simply completing an assignment, she was "excited by the possibility of researching Arab-American children's books and their more in-depth political and social implications, and how they affect children's ability to help form their identities."

Judy’s research was supported by the Center for Engaged Learning. With the funding and guidance, she was able to gather books, identify key themes, and create a public-facing outlet for her findings through Instagram and an upcoming website. She also received valuable support from Lauri Hornik, President of Dial Books for Young Readers at Penguin Young Readers Group.

RI State Library Celebrated Its 130th Anniversary as a Member of the Federal Depository Library Program

The RI State Library celebrated its 130th anniversary as a member of the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) on September 22, 2025 with a series of passionate speakers and an enthusiastic group of library supporters in attendance at the RI State House. The State Library was established in 1852 to provide access to state government information and publications. While the Library began receiving federal government materials as early as 1886, it officially became a Federal Depository in 1895. Serving as a FDLP member library entails maintaining a physical collection of publications as well as, increasingly, providing research expertise as patrons navigate the vast collection of US publications and data online.  

The anniversary event was attended by over fifty guests and leaders from the library, archives and cultural community. The slate of speakers celebrated the fundamental right of public access to information and the value of libraries in preserving and providing access to government information as essential to maintaining an informed citizenry. Hosted by Secretary of State Gregg Amore and State Librarian Kate Wells, speakers included Lt. Governor Sabina Matos, General Treasurer James Diossa, RI Senator Mark McKenney and RI Representative David Morales, US Senator Jack Reed and Wendy Schiller of Brown University. In addition, the State Library recognized the twenty-five-year career and contributions of Federal Government Documents Librarian Ann Teixeira, who will be retiring on October 31, 2025. 

Annual Conference 2026 - Save the Date!

The 2026 RILA Annual Conference will be on May 20-21, 2026 at URI's Center for Biotechnology and Life Sciences (CBLS).

Open Board Positions in 2026

Thinking about getting involved with RILA? Joining the executive board is a great opportunity to give back to the library community, work with other dedicated librarians, and expand your network. RILA opens the submission window in early 2026. The election occurs in April leading up to an announcement at the annual conference. At this time, the following positions are open: Vice President/President-Elect and Member-at-Large (both). Follow this link to learn more about the positions, or reach out to the RILA President.