In This Issue
President's Corner ~ RILA Awards ~ Spotlight on the Legislative Action Committee ~ Get Involved ~ RILBM Committee ~ In Memoriam ~ News from RI Libraries ~ News from the Sections
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Hello RILA members,
I’m starting with a picture of some of the board and RILA members that were present during the 2021 RILA Conference. I am honored to take the position of RILA president and excited to serve with Beatrice Pulliam as Vice President/President Elect and the whole RILA board.
Every presidential term has given RILA the ability to continue to grow. We’ve built up our finances, developed membership and mentorship, created a working strategic plan, engaged in state and federal lobbying for libraries and eBooks, and weathered a pandemic, in which we are still engaged. Our vision for the future continues to encompass all we have built and addresses the inequality and social justice issues that libraries see, experience, and sometimes create. RILA wants to persist in building the RI library community, by providing more programming experiences, networking, and professional development for all, while advocating for libraries in our local, state, and federal governments.
RILA is the recipient of monetary grants from EBSCO that we received with coordination from the RI Office of Library & Information Services. We’ve used those funds to partner with Peer to Peer University (P2PU), where we started our first learning circles to introduce this model of peer-driven learning to Rhode Island libraries. RILA is working on a second round of learning circles, using the feedback and suggestions from those who attended.
After listing all our accomplishments, there’s certainly room for growth or change. This ALA chapter has been in existence since the early 1900s, and we’ve certainly changed over time (side note: check out the oldest digitized RILA bulletin from 1927). Each member can bring great ideas and growth to this organization. Please know that conversations are welcome and appreciated as we continue to serve the RI Library Community.
As RILA members, remember that you are part of developing our organization. What do you need from RILA? What are you looking for that made you want to join? Communicating what you need and expect helps RILA to redefine the mission and vision for our future. To build that, we need you. You can help RILA. Each person who participates in events, volunteers for a task, or even takes time to tell others about RILA helps to build our community. You are the crucial voice that will lead our library community forward. I’m looking forward to connecting and building with you during my term.
Rachael Juskuv, RILA President
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RILA Awards
RILA presented its annual awards at the RILA Annual Conference, which was held virtually on Thursday, June 3rd, through Friday, June 4th, 2021.
The theme for the conference was “Well + Connected: Libraries and Healthy Communities,” and the recipients of this year’s awards exemplify the library community’s commitment to creating and supporting a strong and healthy community.
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Spotlight on: The Legislative Action Committee
Welcome to the RILA Bulletin Spotlight Series, where we feature the important work of a different RILA or RI library section, committee, roundtable, initiative, or organization in each issue.
This month, we talked to Ed Garcia, Chair of the RILA Legislative Action Committee. Ed is the Director of Cranston Public Library.
What is the mission or purpose of the RILA Legislative Action Committee?
The Legislative Action Committee is responsible for recommending a legislative plan for the Association. The Committee assists and advises the Executive Board and the membership in appropriate action to affect proposed legislation.
What made you personally interested in being involved with this organization?
I've always been very interested in the power of advocacy, [in] being able to talk to a legislator or an official and influence their decision making. Advocating for an issue—in this case, the importance of libraries—and telling the stories of how we impact the lives of our users has always been an important part of what I do as a Library Director and advocate.
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Get Involved!
RILA is looking for members to serve as (co)chairs of its Information Literacy Action Round Table (ILART). The information needs of Rhode Islanders in the 21st century are ever changing. ILART is tasked with building a collaborative network across library types (school, public, academic, health, and special) to promote information literacy as a critical set of skills and understandings for full participation in society and, therefore, an essential component of library service. ILART provides a forum for discussion and communication of information literacy-related strategies, activities, and programs for all types of libraries and librarians throughout the state to support the needs of Rhode Islanders. Contact president@rilibraries.org for more information.
The RILA Communications Committee is looking for a social media savvy member to post/share posts to and monitor our Facebook page at least twice weekly (est. time commitment: 15-30 min/wk). We have a Social Media Policy to guide and support your work. If you’ve been looking for a way to get more involved with RILA, this is a great opportunity to start small and have a big impact. Contact communications@rilibraries.org for more information.
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RI Latino Books Month Book Award Committee Seeking New Members
The Rhode Island Latino Books Month (RILBM) Book Award Committee is seeking new members to serve a 2-year term beginning September 2021. Each year, the RILBM Committee selects the nominees for grades kindergarten through 12th for the award. Rhode Island students are encouraged to read from the booklist and vote for their favorite book.
New members should:
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Be a public youth services librarian, school librarian, or educator in Rhode Island
- Commit to reading 5 to 10 books each month, including chapter books, picture books, graphic novels, etc.
- Have experience working with school-aged children or teens
- Have an interest in children or teen literature or both
- Be able to attend virtual meetings (until further notice) on the first Thursday of every month starting September 2021, 5:45pm-7:45pm
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It is with great sadness that we report the passing of former Coalition of Library Advocates (COLA) Chair Sharon Lux. Sharon was a RILA member for 10 years and COLA chair for two. She was passionate about recruiting non-library members to RILA and worked tirelessly to promote libraries and media literacy, always with a smile on her face. We will miss her deeply.
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We are also saddened to report the passing of Dr. Cheryl McCarthy, Professor Emeritus in the Graduate School of Library and Information Studies in the Harrington School of Communication and Media at the University of Rhode Island.
Cheryl served as the Coordinator of the Information Literacy Instruction Certificate and the School Library Media Program, which received national recognition by the American Association of School Librarians/National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education in 2012. She consulted and served on advisory boards to support school, public, and academic libraries to ensure life-long learning in libraries and learning commons. She served as President of the former Rhode Island Educational Media Association, now School Librarians of Rhode Island, and the New England Library Association as well as on executive boards for the Rhode Island Center for the Book and other organizations.
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News from the Rhode Island Library Community |
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May the 4th Be With You at the Greenville Public Library
The Greenville Public Library celebrated May the 4th Be with You. Families enjoyed an interactive outdoor drive-in program with Patty DeFrancesco, Children’s/Reference Librarian. The 501st New England Garrison was there in costume as Darth Vader and a Stormtrooper.
Library staff members Rebecca Reddy, Technology Coordinator/Head of Circulation, along with pages Mia Mollicone and Dylan Montovani were on hand to help out with the festivities.
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Providence Public Library Announces the RI LGBTQ+ Community Archive
The archive is focused on developing collections and resources that reflect the full range of the lived experiences of Rhode Island’s LGBTQ+ communities, including those who have been historically marginalized in mainstream LGBTQ+ movements.
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News from the RILA Sections |
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COLA Presents Awards, Votes to Dissolve at Final Annual Meeting
The Coalition of Library Advocates (COLA) Annual Meeting, held on Tuesday, April 6, 2021, was its final meeting. After much study and thought, COLA’s Board of Directors, in close and careful consultation with RILA’s Board, asked for COLA to be fully absorbed into RILA rather than exist as a separate board with a chairperson. In this way, the efforts of library supporters will be part of RILA’s general actions. It was specifically noted that, with the efforts of the Legislative Action Committee, the work of COLA is continuing. All members of RILA continue to receive those updates, and now we can encourage anyone in the state who supports libraries to join RILA for a nominal fee.
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The Rhode Island Library Association
is a professional organization that serves its members through career development, education, advocacy, networking partnerships, and legislative action.
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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 include publishing the RILA Bulletin, managing social media platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter, and exploring other media as needed.
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