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SLRI Update

December 2023

SLRI Update December 2023

President's Message

Dear Members,


Throughout the fall, SLRI has been continuing its work in several areas to support you and the important work you do. Here are some highlights:


SLRI Conversation Series

On October 17, we hosted a session entitled The Influencers, which focused on how to have conversations with our students about social media influencers, who they are and how they use persuasion. Thank you to Marissa Salvas and Wendy Gustavel for facilitating this session. You can find the presentation slides here, and consult Courageous RI for educator resources and lesson plans.


Legislative Action

Past SLRI President and current RILA Vice President Joan Mouradjian and the RILA Legislative Action Committee are working on a bill to prohibit librarians and educators from being criminally prosecuted for having any book in their collection. See RILA’s Legislative Action Agenda here.


Share Your Collection Development Policy

The RILA Intellectual Freedom Committee is working on a statement to support libraries in this era of increased challenges. Please email Esther Wolk a link to your districts’ policies so we can make them accessible to members as models.


Membership Drive

We are better together! The SLRI board completed a membership drive, contacting over 140 school librarians who are working in RI but are not members of SLRI. If there are school librarians in your district who are not SLRI members, please encourage them to join. Also, please don’t forget to renew your own membership in 2024!



Mary Moen

SLRI President

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Join Our Next Conversation with WPRI's Ted Nesi

Please save the date for our next Conversation Series virtual event, Managing the Message: How to Make Clear and Succinct Points when Facing a Book Challenge. The session will be facilitated by Ted Nesi, journalist for WPRI, and will be held Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at 4:30 PM via Zoom. Information and registration information will be sent in early January.

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Finish Your Holiday Shopping While Supporting Libraries

Are you looking for gift ideas? Check out RILA's library-themed merchandise, including clothing, stationery and accessories here. Note: the school librarians in the AASL photo below are modeling the cute 100% cotton Freedom to Read t-shirts!

Vicki Blaser, Mary Moen, Lisa Girard, Wendy Gustavel, Sarah Hunicke and Melanie Roy at the AASL Conference.

RI School Librarians Make Waves at AASL National Conference

In October, several Rhode Island school librarians (pictured above) attended the AASL National Conference in Tampa, FL. They attended sessions on new ways to teach research skills, how to run creative reading programs, the school librarians' role in the different facets of using AI in education, among others. One strong message that emerged was that school librarians need to embrace AI literacy as another type of information literacy. The group also participated in a National School Library Association parade celebrating the Freedom to Read. The group had a great time connecting with others and enjoying the beautiful (and warm) city of Tampa, said SLRI President Mary Moen.


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Senator Reed Receives AASL Crystal Apple Award

US Senator Jack Reed was honored by AASL Past President Kathy Lester with the AASL Crystal Apple Award at Cranston Public Library in October. The award recognizes Reed's significant impact on school libraries. “School librarians do so much to educate & encourage students, promote information literacy & lifelong learning," the senator posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. "Honored to receive @AASL’s Crystal Apple Award today & proud to support school librarians each & every day.”

Members Approve Updated By-Laws

After a vote by the membership, the updated SLRI by-laws have been approved and are posted on the SLRI website. A draft of the amended by-laws, which were last revised in 2013, was sent to members in May for feedback. Revisions were made based on members' comments, and after legal review and RILA input, the by-laws were submitted to the membership for a vote. Thanks to those members who approved the new version.

On the Calendar

SLRI Conversation Series, January 16, 2024, via Zoom, 4:30 PM

ALA's LibLearnX, January 19-22, 2024, Baltimore, MD

Keep Us in the Loop

Do you have good news to share about your library or work with students and your community? Let SLRI help you spread the word! Please let us know about your great work by using this form.

Where Are You?

If you have begun teaching at a new school, please email Joanne Gongoleski so she can update our membership list.

Got Questions? We've Got Answers!

We're your Professional Learning Community! Did you know that one of the benefits of your SLRI membership is that you can consult with other members at any time? Whether it's a question about a particular book, a policy or just input from a colleague, you can use the the SLRI listserv to solicit advice from the membership. Just send an email with your question to schlibri@googlegroups.com. Please contact Mary Moen with any questions or news you'd like to share.
Carol Byrne
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