What types of information literacy skills do teens need for college success, and how can public libraries strengthen these skills? Mary MacDonald, Professor and Head of Instruction at the University of Rhode Island Library, will join us to share the skills high school students need to become successful college researchers. We’ll also discuss career resources and workforce development initiatives for young adults with OLIS Adult Services Coordinator Nicolette Baffoni.

The Autism Project will present the training program Creating the Connections. This training will provide librarians and library staff with the tools to help families access screening, evaluation, and appropriate resources for children, youth, and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and related Developmental Disabilities (DD). After this training librarians and library staff will understand and recognize both typical and atypical developmental milestones, support concerns families may have, and know the resources available to empower families to make informed decisions and access care.

Following the Creating the Connections training program, Maria Cotto, Bilingual Children's Librarian, Pawtucket Public Library and Babs Wells, Children’s Librarian, Greenville Public Library will share their expertise in planning, implementing, and promoting sensory story times and services for children with special needs.

The Autism Project is a unique collaboration of parents, professionals and community members who provide quality support, training, and programming that is accessible to all for children and adults with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, their families and those who work with them.

It's time to start taking a closer look at the children's books of 2017. Please read one or (better yet) more books on the discussion list for the first meeting. Participating in the Mock Newbery is an opportunity to read the newest children’s books and to discuss them with other passionate readers. Voting for a Rhode Island winner and honor books will take place on January 17, 2018 using the balloting procedures of the real committee. The first discussion list and information about future meetings and programs is available at the Mock Newbery web page.

How does seasonal programming fit in to your services for children and families? Do seasonal and holiday celebrations help guide your programming plan or do you prefer using non-seasonal themes? How do you decide which seasonal and holiday celebrations to incorporate in to your programming? We’ll discuss these questions and more at this month’s Children’s Service Round Table meeting. Please come prepared to share an example of a successful program and your preferred method for planning, implementing, and evaluating seasonal programming.

This very special meeting will take place at the Tomaquag Musuem in Exeter. We’ll be treated to an hour long tour of this award winning museum dedicated to Indigenous history, culture, and arts. Our discussion of seasonal programming will take place in the museum following the tour. Please note that food and drink is not allowed in the museum.

Registration for this meeting is limited to 20 participants. Registration is required and participants must register before September 14th. Registration after September 14th will not be accepted.

We’ll continue our discussion of the best children’s books of 2017. Please read one or (better yet) more books on the discussion list for the second meeting. Voting for a Rhode Island winner and honor books will take place on January 17, 2018 using the balloting procedures of the real Newbery committee. The second discussion list will be available on September 28 at the Mock Newbery web page.

Join us for a discussion about young adult collections. We’ll talk about both print and digital collections, your collection’s physical space, and collection development issues related to serving a teen and tween audience.

Please bring a list of your favorite vendors, publishers, book reps, or other resources that help you keep your collection vibrant, timely, and accessible.

Demonstrating the professional skills and knowledge required to be a youth services librarian or youth services staff member can be difficult. Programming, outreach, and readers’ advisory for children, teens, and parents looks very different from the professional activities of other library departments and leave little time for grant writing, networking, or pursuing professional development. OLIS Youth Services Coordinator Danielle Margarida will share ways to grow your professional identity and demonstrate your value to colleagues, administrators, and patrons. We’ll also be joined by Lincoln Public Library Assistant Director Robin Nyzio, whose previous work as a children’s and teen librarian will offer a unique look at youth services through a management lens.

Ken and TeLisa will introduce you to Department of Corrections staff and provide an overview of RI's prison system population and services provided. They will also discuss the Books Beyond program for incarcerated parents and their children and RI’s Reentry Initiative activities. Join us to discuss how libraries can contribute to this important initiative by supporting members of your community that have been impacted by incarceration.

Parenting Connection Newsletter, May/June 2017

Address: 18 Wilma Schesler Lane, Cranston, RI

* On the Department of Corrections campus across from the Department of Labor & Training. There is free, ample parking on the side of the building.

From Route 95 South Take Exit 14 to Route 37 West. Take Exit 3 off Route 37 to Pontiac Avenue. At the end of the exit, take a left. From Route 95 North Take Exit 14 B to Route 37 West, at the end of the exit, take a left.

The Performers’ Showcase is your chance to meet area educators/performers interested in being a part of the annual statewide children’s Summer Reading Program. In addition to observing presentations, visit with other program providers setting up table top displays. This is your opportunity to provide feedback and offer your recommendations for the 2018 slate of programs offered statewide.

The booking meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 9 (snow date: January 16) at the Warwick Public Library.

We’ll continue our discussion of the best children’s books of 2017. This will be the final discussion meeting before voting for the Rhode Island winner and honor books on January 17, 2018. The third discussion list will be available on November 3 at the Mock Newbery web page.

The Performers’ Showcase is your chance to meet area educators/performers interested in being a part of the annual statewide children’s Summer Reading Program. In addition to observing presentations, visit with other program providers setting up table top displays. This is your opportunity to provide feedback and offer your recommendations for the 2018 slate of programs offered statewide.

The booking meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 9 (snow date: January 16) at the Warwick Public Library.

Bring your library calendar, and your presenter wish-list for our annual summer reading program block-booking event. Each library will receive booking number in advance of the meeting.

Registration required.

Snow Date: Tuesday, January 16, 2017

Bring your library calendar, and your presenter wish-list for our annual summer reading program block-booking event. Each library will receive booking number in advance of the meeting.

Libraries are going to rock this summer! We'll highlight our favorite ideas from the manual and share original ideas for SRP programming, decorating, promoting, and developing community partnerships.

Please come prepared to share at least one favorite aspect of your summer reading program and one new idea you're excited to try this summer.

Feel free to bring your lunch to enjoy during our discussion!

It’s time to vote for a Rhode Island Mock Newbery winner and honor books! Please read as many books as possible from the fourth reading list and come prepared to defend your top picks before we vote using the balloting procedures of the real Newbery committee. The fourth discussion list will be available on December 11 at the Mock Newbery web page.

It’s time to discuss and vote for a Rhode Island Mock Caldecott winner and honor books! We’ll read and discuss a sampling of the best picture books of 2017 before voting using the balloting procedures of the real Caldecott committee. The reading/viewing list for this discussion will be available on November 3 at the Mock Caldecott web page.