OLIS News & Updates

October 2024

Delivery Holiday

As a reminder, there will be no LORI delivery on Monday, October 14. Delivery will resume as scheduled on Tuesday, October 15.

Public Library PFE Grant Request LIVE

The request form for public libraries interested in hosting a paid Professional Field Experience (PFE) student from URI GSLIS is open for both the Spring and Summer 2025 semesters.

PFE students will be paired with public libraries to complete 135 hours of work across 14 weeks of the corresponding semester, engaging in meaningful professional work that provides paid learning experience for students while providing added value to the library. Public libraries that have a project suitable for a URI library school student in the Spring or Summer should fill out the request form by October 25, 2024. Find the form and more information at olis.ri.gov

New England Teen Summit 2024

Registration is now open for the 2024 New England Teen Summit on November 15, 2024.

This is a free, virtual event open to library staff across New England, focused on empowering teen services in libraries. This year’s summit will feature engaging sessions aimed at reimagining teen programs and engagement strategies. We are thrilled to have authors Cara Bean and Devorah Heitner as our keynote speakers to kick off the event.

Cara Bean, a passionate doodler and educator, will share insights from her graphic novel Here I Am, I Am Me: An Illustrated Guide to Mental Health, offering creative approaches to supporting teens' emotional well-being through art.

Devorah Heitner, an expert on technology and youth, will offer practical, research-backed advice on guiding teens in today’s digital age, drawing from her books Growing Up in Public and Screenwise.

Don't miss this opportunity to connect with fellow library staff and gain valuable tools to enhance teen services in your library. Register today!

Welcome to the (Trustee) Board!

New in the OLIS Online Learning Center from the team at Niche Academy is nine part series to help onboard public library Trustees entitled "Welcome to the Board." Tutorial topics include:

You're Role on the Board
Hiring A Director
Reviewing and Approving Policies
Dealing with Materials Challenges
Strategic Planning

These sessions are great for introducing new board members to the unique role of being a Library Trustee as well as acting as helpful refreshers for long-standing members. Set aside time at your regular board meetings, or invite your trustees to view them between meetings.

Please note: Viewing tutorials in the online learning center requires an account. OLIS vets all access requests, so please let Emily know if you are planning to have trustees request access to expedite the approval process.

For all the latest news and updates, visit the OLIS Website

RI White Cane Day 2024

Celebrate the mighty white cane and the independence of the blind and visually impaired community. White Cane Day is a free, fun, family event on Sunday, October 20, from 1 – 2:30 PM at the Crowne Plaza Atrium (801 Greenwich Avenue in Warwick).

Several local agencies will provide information about their services for individuals and families affected by visual impairments, free t-shirts and tote bags (while supplies last), refreshments, music, face painting, and a balloon artist. See you there!

NLS Music Notes meeting via Zoom

Mark your calendars for the next NLS Music Notes Zoom meeting on Tuesday, October 29, at 7:00 p.m. (ET).

The topic will be “Popular Music Lead Sheets” (PMLS)—a publication produced by the NLS Music Section. Music Reader Services Librarian Mary Dell Jenkins and Braille Music Librarian Timothy Jones will talk about the history of PMLS and about the lead sheet format, what it is and how to read it. A question-and-answer will follow the presentation.