The following statement was sent to Dr. Renee Palazzo, Superintendent of the Glocester Schools: 

The shared, core vision of the Rhode Island Library Association (RILA) and the School Librarians of Rhode Island (SLRI) is to support libraries in protecting the rights to education, literacy, and intellectual freedom of the populations they serve. 

We are concerned that across-the-board restrictions to access reading materials in the Glocester school libraries and limiting students' access to books would be a disservice to the parents and students and other members of the learning community. School libraries are charged with fostering a love of reading and learning. When a child finds a book they can see themselves in, it may make all the difference in how that student feels about reading and books in general as they continue their academic journey. In many cases, an elementary school is the first time a student gets the chance to experience the wonder of the library on a regular basis. This experience is often the catalyst for children becoming lifelong learners and readers.  

Limiting access to books to students based on the needs of one student is contrary to a library’s overall mission to meet the needs and interests of all students. For example, if a parent tells the librarian that their student has nightmares and therefore should not borrow books with “scary” pictures, the librarian will recommend other, well-considered choices. This option should not be taken off the table for other students or their parents. In another scenario, parents often ask their child to bring home a specific beloved story to read aloud to them that might not appeal to other parents. What is good for one is not necessarily good for all.

Librarians are professionals who hold graduate degrees and are specifically trained to develop carefully curated collections for their libraries with professionally reviewed and award-winning books that fit the interest and needs of their patrons. Implementing a broad protocol to appease one parent’s request runs counter to the Library Bill of Rights which states that “books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves.”

The freedom to read is a human right, regardless of age, a right that is constitutionally protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and Article I, Section 21 of the Rhode Island State Constitution. These provisions ensure that all Rhode Islanders have access to information and the right to form their own opinions. Having the ability to think critically about the world around us is tantamount to being a productive and learned citizen.

RILA and SLRI urge the Glocester School District to rescind restrictions that limit students' access to books and to work with the district’s librarians to update library policies to encourage intellectual freedom and provide an orderly procedure for reconsideration of materials.  

Join SLRI for a fundraiser to help defray costs to garner support for the School Libraries Act. A full-time librarian in every school=student success! Hope to see you there!

Tuesday, March 4, 2025 from 5-9 PM

Flatbread Company

161 Cushing St., Providence, RI 02906

Greenville, RI – The Greenville Public Library Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the appointment of Library Director, Corrie Alves. Alves brings 23 years of library experience to her new position in Greenville. Most recently she served as the Technology Coordinator for the Cranston Public Library.

Alves received her Masters of Library and Information Services from the University of Rhode Island. A life-long Rhode Islander, she moved to Greenville four years ago with her family. Alves will begin her work at the Greenville Public Library in March.

The ACRL New England Chapter & the New England Library Instruction Group (NELIG) are now accepting proposals for our 2025 Conference on 6/12 (Online) & 6/13 (at Holy Cross, Worcester, MA)! Proposal submissions are due by 3/4; please go to https://acrlnec.org/annual-conference/call-for-proposals/ for conference theme details and submission guidelines. Thank you!

Proposal Submission Deadline: Monday, March 3, 2025, 11:59pm EST

Conference Dates: June 12-13, 2025
Thursday June 12, 2025: Online
Friday June 13, 2025: College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA

ACRL-NEC and NELIG sessions will take place on both conference days.

https://acrlnec.org/annual-conference/call-for-proposals/

Call for Proposals_ 2025 Joint ACRL-NEC - NELIG Annual Conference.pdf

One of my favorite parts of attending ALA’s LibLearnX 2025 in Phoenix, AZ last month was attending the “I Love My Librarian” Award Ceremony where 10 librarians from around the country were introduced and gave an acceptance speech. I was happy to see that I had met one of the honorees at a previous ALA Conference who, despite working in Hawaii, has ties to Rhode Island! (Jessica Gleason visited me at the Pawtucket Library when she was in the state visiting her in-laws after we met at that event!)

There were other great talks given by librarians from around the country along with some great authors including the very well-known graphic novel-creators Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud who are teaming up with “The Cartoonists Club,” which comes out in April! I also heard a debut novelist, Kyle Edwards, talk about his forthcoming book, “Small Ceremonies.” He is Canadian and Anishanaabe so his coming of age novel focuses on a group of Native hockey-playing high school students in Manitoba, Winnipeg.

Other favorite moments included the tour of the rare book collection of the Burton-Barr Phoenix Central Library, having lunch with an Air Force Base librarian from Oklahoma and meeting a young librarian from Washington state. Libraries all over the country are looking for ways to foster wellness among staff members, searching for new programming ideas for adults and supporting those experiencing dementia or Alzheimer’s.

– Robin Nyzio, Cranston Public Library, Adult Services Librarian

Five libraries of the East Bay have come together to bring Amanda Jones, author of 'That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning in America,' to join us for a moderated discussion and Q&A session on Thursday, March 6th, at 6:30 pm.

Amanda will be joining us via Zoom, but you will have the option to watch from home via Zoom or join us at any of the five libraries to watch the livestream in person and engage in a discussion afterwards with your community members. Registration for this program will open on Thursday, February 6th.

This program is a collaboration among Rogers Free Library (Bristol), Bristol BookFest, George Hail Library (Warren), Barrington Public Library, Tiverton Public Library, and Brownell Library (Little Compton).

About Amanda Jones

Amanda Jones is an American librarian and anti-censorship advocate. Jones has been heavily involved in anti-book banning movements in the state of Louisiana and throughout the US. In 2023, she was awarded the American Association of School Librarians' Intellectual Freedom Award and the American Library Association's Paul Howard Award for Courage, which honors "an individual who has exhibited unusual courage for the benefit of library programs or services." Her book, 'That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning in America,' is part memoir, part manifesto, the inspiring story of a Louisiana librarian advocating for inclusivity on the front lines of our vicious culture wars.

Thursday, March 6 at 6:30 pm. Registration is required: rogersfreelibrary.libcal.com/calendar/programming/ThatLibrarian 

Booked is bringing bestselling authors to Providence every month beginning in January!

Upcoming:
Tuesday, January 28th at 7 pm

Authors: 

• Catherine Newman (Sandwich)
• Alison Espach (The Wedding People)
• Betsy Lerner (Shred Sisters)
• J. Courtney Sullivan (The Cliffs)

Details:

We’re thrilled to share details about an exciting monthly event, Booked, hosted on the last Tuesday of each month at 7 PM.

Here’s what to expect:

• 3-5 authors will read from their latest works.
• A moderated discussion will provide insights into each author’s writing process and experiences.
• Books (current and backlist) will be available for purchase, and authors will stay for book signings afterward.

The hosts aim to create a warm, relaxed, and fun atmosphere for all attendees.

If you’re a book lover or curious about the creative process, this is a fantastic opportunity to connect with authors and their stories!

Future Confirmed Authors (joining in the first half of 2025):

• Ethan Joella (The Same Bright Stars)
• Amity Gaige (Heartwood, out 4/1/25)
• Annie Hartnett (The Road to Tender Hearts, out 4/29/25)

Registration/ticket required.

Learn more: www.bookedauthorseries.com

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.

Details: 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.

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

Register here: https://forms.gle/UZVpTZUBCMARox6M6

Submitted by Rosemary Driscoll, Library Media Specialist, East Providence High School

It had been several years since I last attended the RILA Conference, and it didn't disappoint. Being back inside the Providence Public Library where I worked as a reference librarian in the 1980s was an added treat. As a high school librarian, I chose to attend the Thursday sessions, which focused on school libraries. Shout out to all the presenters. I would have loved to attend all of them, but sadly, I had to choose!

Book Talk Blitz

Alyssa Taft and Sarah Hunicke managed to summarize 75 YA books in this session in an entertaining, engaging, and informative way. To say their knowledge and enthusiasm were impressive is an understatement. I left that session not only eager to order many of the books for my high school but also excited to share that presentation with the English faculty.

Legislative Action Update

This session was presented by Ed Garcia, Bill Lancellotta, Marianne Mirando, and Cheryl Space and facilitated by Beatrice Pulliam. The panelists provided an update on pending statewide legislative efforts concerning Rhode Island libraries, including fair pricing for eBooks, freedom to read, and the first attempt to mandate a school librarian in every public school in the state. This last effort is especially important to me, and I look forward to contributing to the cause. Marianne Mirando discussed her fight against a book challenge at her high school. Her courage and activism were truly inspiring.

Keynote Speaker: Courtney Pentland

Courtney is a high school librarian in Nebraska as well as the 2023-2024 AASL President. Courtney’s theme for her presentation was “Finding Joy in the Journey.” Essentially, her message was that while the work and the challenges school librarians face--and there are plenty--can be daunting, we should not allow those challenges to weigh so heavily on us that we forget how gratifying, rewarding, and awesome being a school librarian can be. She shared strategies and techniques that she finds successful in engaging her school community. One stood out to me: she has upwards of 125 students in the library during all of the school lunches--and she allows them to eat!!! A courageous endeavor.

2025 RI Book Awards RICBA/RIMSBA/RILBA

This session was presented by Nomi Hague, Cranston Public Library; Rebecca Lelli, Narragansett Public Library; Michaela Reed, Blackrock Elementary; and Marissa Salvas, William D'Abate Elementary, for RICBA; Elena Rios, Cranston Public Library, and Britt Donahue, West Warwick Public Library, for RIMSBA; and Maria Cotto, Pawtucket Library, and Betsy Montes, Providence Country Day, for RILBA. The speakers highlighted the 2025 RI Children's Book, Middle School Book, and the Latino Book Award nominees. So many books, so little time! A truly inspiring presentation of the titles being nominated for these awards.

Library Tour

A big thank you to the staff members who provided tours of PPL. It certainly is a beautiful building and a welcoming educational and community space. What a walk down memory lane for me. The library I knew and worked in during the 1980s has transformed into a space equipped to meet today’s patrons where they are while respecting the past. Thank you to PPL for hosting this year’s conference.