Summer Reading Survey Closes 9/11
If you haven't yet filled out the Adult Summer Reading Program Survey, please do so by the end of the day on Monday, 9/11. Even if you feel that the questions/responses do not quite reflect your program, do your best in filling out the form. The more responses we get, the clearer our picture of adult summer reading across RI will be!
Spotlight on: Joyce May
Each month, we will shine a spotlight on a different member of the Adult Services Roundtable to celebrate our vibrant community.
Joyce May has been the Adult Services Librarian at the East Providence Public Library for 14 years and became the Assistant Director last spring. Much to her delight, the trustees and director made sure that adult programming would remain central to her job.
What is your library passion?
The LIBRARY is my passion! I love everything from the concept of the public library to the welcoming nature of libraries to the people who use the library, to those who choose to work in libraries, to those who offer their expertise, skills, arts, and scholarship to our library communities. I love how the library brings people together and perhaps that is why programming, book clubs, and our library farmers’ market remain such a joy.
What is your favorite/most successful program?
You can follow Joyce on Twitter @mayjoyb and visit her at the EPL Farmer's Market next Thursday from 4 - 7 (where she may or may not be wearing a tomato costume...)
Joyce May has been the Adult Services Librarian at the East Providence Public Library for 14 years and became the Assistant Director last spring. Much to her delight, the trustees and director made sure that adult programming would remain central to her job.
What is your library passion?
The LIBRARY is my passion! I love everything from the concept of the public library to the welcoming nature of libraries to the people who use the library, to those who choose to work in libraries, to those who offer their expertise, skills, arts, and scholarship to our library communities. I love how the library brings people together and perhaps that is why programming, book clubs, and our library farmers’ market remain such a joy.
What is your favorite/most successful program?
I have one or two hundred favorites, but I will mention two.
We began the Weaver Library Farmers’ Market four years ago and have watched the market support grow over the years. Hearing the pride of our residents and our city officials for the market has been inspiring. This summer, a young couple who travel often for work, mentioned that the library and farmers’ market gave them a center and a real sense of community and home. This is music to my ears.
When word that Harper Lee would publish a second novel came out, I planned a program series around Go Set a Watchman. As no one could get a copy of the book prior to its publication, I took a risk that programs would be provocative and productive, however the critics and readers received the new work. The programs were well received; book club discussions, which included skyping with a book group in Alabama, met the need for the community to talk about a controversial subject as it was unfolding.
You can follow Joyce on Twitter @mayjoyb and visit her at the EPL Farmer's Market next Thursday from 4 - 7 (where she may or may not be wearing a tomato costume...)
Serving Immigrant Communities
Thinking critically about how we serve our immigrant communities is incredibly timely and important. While this topic cannot be covered in a single newsletter snippet, here are a few starter resources to get us all thinking about the ways in which our libraries support and include immigrants.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is the federal government office that handles all legal immigration services, including DACA, Greencards, work visas, legal status and citizenship. Familiarize yourself with their website or refer patrons to their Providence Field Office (located in Johnston). In addition to direct service to immigrants, USCIS will provide free training to libraries as well as other resources for libraries.
The Hartford Public Library has created and shared a toolkit for their successful We Belong Here program, which offers great tips and strategies for promoting immigrant integration and community outreach.
ALA's Advocacy Office has resources on equity, diversity and inclusion, including resources like Libraries Respond: Immigrants, Refugees and Asylum Seekers and ideas for Programing to Promote Diversity.
Think locally, and join Cornucopia of Rhode Island for their annual mini-conference on November 2 at 5:30 pm at the Rhode Island Statehouse. This year's theme is A Source of Peace: Libraries and Immigration, and will include information about initiatives and best practices for serving immigrant communities that are happening right here in RI libraries.
And finally, librarians know that one great way to build empathy and bring together communities is through shared reading experiences. Consider books by or about immigrants for your next book club selection or book display. Book Riot has a reading list by and about immigrants, and a separate list that highlights stories about latinx immigrants in particular. Publisher's Weekly has 10 Essential Books about the Immigrant Experience, while Goodreads features several Immigration Booklists. If all that seems overwhelming, check out Oprah's latest book club pick, Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue.
image credit (and more languages available): https://hafuboti.com/2017/02/28/libraries-are-for-everyone-epic-rainbow/
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is the federal government office that handles all legal immigration services, including DACA, Greencards, work visas, legal status and citizenship. Familiarize yourself with their website or refer patrons to their Providence Field Office (located in Johnston). In addition to direct service to immigrants, USCIS will provide free training to libraries as well as other resources for libraries.
The Hartford Public Library has created and shared a toolkit for their successful We Belong Here program, which offers great tips and strategies for promoting immigrant integration and community outreach.
ALA's Advocacy Office has resources on equity, diversity and inclusion, including resources like Libraries Respond: Immigrants, Refugees and Asylum Seekers and ideas for Programing to Promote Diversity.
Think locally, and join Cornucopia of Rhode Island for their annual mini-conference on November 2 at 5:30 pm at the Rhode Island Statehouse. This year's theme is A Source of Peace: Libraries and Immigration, and will include information about initiatives and best practices for serving immigrant communities that are happening right here in RI libraries.
And finally, librarians know that one great way to build empathy and bring together communities is through shared reading experiences. Consider books by or about immigrants for your next book club selection or book display. Book Riot has a reading list by and about immigrants, and a separate list that highlights stories about latinx immigrants in particular. Publisher's Weekly has 10 Essential Books about the Immigrant Experience, while Goodreads features several Immigration Booklists. If all that seems overwhelming, check out Oprah's latest book club pick, Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue.
image credit (and more languages available): https://hafuboti.com/2017/02/28/libraries-are-for-everyone-epic-rainbow/
Banned Books Week
Find ideas for programs, displays and community outreach by attending the Making Banned Books Week Work in Your Community webinar from ALA/PLA next Wednesday, September 13 at 2pm (registration required). You can also find ideas at the ALA Banned Books Week Pinterest Board, consider adapting the University of Northern Florida's Banned Books Bracket or explore more resources from ALA.
Does your library have iPads, a video camera or a webcam? Submit a video of yourself or your community members reading from your favorite banned book to the Office of Intellectual Freedom's Virtual Readout and perhaps find yourself featured on the Banned Books Week Youtube Channel.
Join the Banned Books Week Thunderclap campaign and they will post on your Twitter, Facebook or Tumblr to announce the start of BBW. Thunderclap is a service that allows community members to give up one social media status to a campaign or event. At a designated time, Thunderclap will post to all signed-up social media accounts simultaneously, increasing visibility, reach and the chance for an event to go viral. Consider trying Thunderclap to promote your next big community event!
And finally, you may want to get the Banned Books Week coloring page for your adult coloring groups!
Does your library have iPads, a video camera or a webcam? Submit a video of yourself or your community members reading from your favorite banned book to the Office of Intellectual Freedom's Virtual Readout and perhaps find yourself featured on the Banned Books Week Youtube Channel.
Join the Banned Books Week Thunderclap campaign and they will post on your Twitter, Facebook or Tumblr to announce the start of BBW. Thunderclap is a service that allows community members to give up one social media status to a campaign or event. At a designated time, Thunderclap will post to all signed-up social media accounts simultaneously, increasing visibility, reach and the chance for an event to go viral. Consider trying Thunderclap to promote your next big community event!
And finally, you may want to get the Banned Books Week coloring page for your adult coloring groups!
Contact
Please contact me to share questions, comments or ideas for next month's newsletter!
Email: nicolette.baffoni@olis.ri.gov
Website: www.olis.ri.gov
Location: One Capitol Hill Providence RI
Phone: 401-574-9316
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/olisri/
Twitter: @libraffoni