Adult Services News
December 2023 / January 2024
Digital Equity in RI: Ensure Your Community Is Represented
ConnectRI, through RI Commerce Corporation has been working with statewide stakeholders to develop a plan for increasing digital equity across the state with incoming federal dollars through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. Now, the group is collecting public feedback on the current state of broadband/internet access to further develop the plan and its rollout and ensure equitable internet access is achieved.
Libraries are imperative in spreading the information for public comment to ensure that everyone across the state is included and receives adequate internet connectivity through this programming. See what you can do at the link below.
Resources from the Social Security Administration
The Social Security Administration is sharing resources for the public.
- my Social Security -- You can now create a personal my Social Security account on SSA website to keep track of your SSA benefits. This is available to people regardless of whether they are currently receiving benefits.
- Slam the Scam - The SSA is looking to help combat scams targeting Social Security benefits. Share this flyer to inform the public about suspicious requests for information.
Upcoming Adult Services Sessions
Adult Services Round Table: Patron Led Programming
Tuesday, January 16, 2:30pm
Rochambeau Library (with virtual option)
Join fellow Adult Services library workers for an discussion on Patron-Led Programming at the January Adult Services Round Table meeting. Bring your successful stories, ideas, and lessons learned for programming through your community.
This meeting will be hybrid, so please register for either in-person attendance at Rochambeau Library or online via Zoom.
Want to host a meeting at your library? Sign up!
AskRI Workshop: LearningExpress Library Has That?!
Bet you don’t know all that LearningExpress Library has to offer! Join us to learn about the new content additions we’ve made this year. We will also uncover hidden gems that you didn’t know were available in Job & Career Accelerator. We will demonstrate our interactive practice tests, tutorials, microlessons, job tools, and eBooks and discuss ways to promote these valuable resources.
EBSCO resources are available to learners and curious people of all ages via AskRI.org.
Upcoming Webinars from Niche Academy
Canva 2.0 for Libraries: Page Layout Design
Based on the webinar Canva and Design for Libraries: Learn Page Layout and Social Media Design, this workshop focuses on page layout design, learning to format your design for social media, flyers, and posters, and formatting for the web vs. print.
Talking Mental Health and Addressing Challenges at Work
All workplaces and communities face challenges discussing mental health issues and addressing challenging behavior without inadvertently acting in stigmatizing or biased ways.
Learn more
Misinformation in the College Classroom
Information literacy skills can help students identify mis- and disinformation, both for coursework and as they navigate the world of information beyond college, but are they being taught these skills?
Upcoming Webinars from Webjunction
Libraries Foster Social Connection: Responding to the Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation
Libraries can play a vital role in building social cohesion and promoting community resilience, especially in challenging times. The Surgeon General’s 2023 Advisory on Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation brings even greater urgency to the need for us to connect. This engaging session will explore ways to intentionally design for social connection in library services and programs, from passive to hosted.
Building Authentic Relationships with Underserved Communities
You know your library could do more to connect with and respond to the systematically excluded communities you serve. But if you're starting with little or no existing connection, how do you build authentic, trust-based relationships? How do you go beyond transactional interactions and guessing at services to effective engagement and participation? This webinar will help you develop a plan for identifying, reaching, and building relationships with communities experiencing oppression.
OLIS LORI Grant Applications Open Now!
A round of LORI Project Grants are open through December 22, 2023!
Have an idea of a project for your library or community but need some funds to get it off the ground? Consider applying for a grant from OLIS! There are two grant pools; mini grants totaling between $2,500 and $7,500 and large grants totaling $10,000 and $27,500.
All certified Library of Rhode Island (LORI) members are eligible to apply. Projects must align with at least one of the OLIS goals: Access, Learning, Engagement.
Contact Nicolette with any questions or to discuss ideas.
Libraries Transform Communities: Engagement Grant
The Libraries Transform Communities Engagement Grant recognizes, promotes and supports innovative and meaningful community engagement efforts in libraries. It will provide two grants of $2,000 for a school, public, academic, tribal or special library to expand its community engagement efforts. Libraries are invited to apply by designing and outlining activities for a library-led community engagement project.
The 2023-2024 theme is community empowerment. Learn more and apply by Feb 1.
ALA Peggy Barber Tribute Grant
The Peggy Barber Tribute Grant is an annual grant that recognizes, promotes, and supports meaningful programs in libraries that have limited and/or no access to budgetary support for programming. This grant aims to help ease budget challenges by annually awarding three libraries $2,500 to support a proposed program, program series, or programming effort.
The 2023-2024 theme is civic engagement. Learn more and apply by Feb 1.
ASRL Penguin Random House Grants
The Association of Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL), with support from Penguin Random House, is providing a grant opportunity for small and rural public, school, and tribal libraries nationwide. Up to 25 $1,000 grants may be awarded. ARSL membership is not required to participate.
Two grant types are available:
- A $1,000 monetary grant in support of a community-oriented project.
- An in-kind book grant donation of up to $1,000 in equivalent value to support a circulating collection in your library.
Applications due December 15.
ASRL Sustainable & Resilient New England Libraries Grant
The Association for Rural & Small Libraries is offering grants in support of sustainabillity and resiliency in New England Libraries. Grants are available in amounts of $5,000 - $15,000.
Vists ASRL's website to learn more about examples of eligible project ideas and apply. Applications are due by December 18.
Want support in your work? I'm here to help! Schedule a meeting to talk through any ideas, projects, or challenges with your Adult Services work. You can also contact me to share questions, comments or ideas for next month's newsletter!