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Library teen services are about more than getting teens into the library. These services are about the impact libraries can have on the lives of teens. In this session participants learn how to describe the value of what they do for and with teens, build an understanding of how social emotional learning fits into the work that they do with and for teens, and explore how to engage with community to develop services that ultimately help teens to grow up successfully.

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Join fellow youth services librarians to share best practices for sensory story times and inclusive library programs and services. We will be discussing community connections, sensory activity ideas, and programs/services beyond story time.

The Sensory Story Time Support Group is a grassroots community of practice developed and faciliated by Maria Cotto at the Pawtucket Public Library and Babs Wells at the Greenville Public Library. The Sensory Storytime Support Group seeks to empower youth services librarians to better serve children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families by expanding programming, outreach, partnerships, and resources that welcome all abilities. For more information about the Sensory Story Time Support Group please contact Maria Cotto at risensorystorytime@gmail.com and Babs Wells at babswells2012@gmail.com.

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Discover the difference between reading with children and reading to children! The Whole Book Approach, developed by former Carle educator Megan Lambert, gives educators, parents, and caregivers the tools to evaluate the picture book as an art form and encourages the critical engagement of children during picture book reading experiences. Participants will spend hands-on time looking at selected picture books.

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It's time to start taking a closer look at the children's books of 2019. Please read 8 of the 16 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 14, 2020 using the balloting procedures of the real committee. The first discussion list and information about future meetings and the Mock Newbery program is available at http://www.olis.ri.gov/youth/newbery/index.php.

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Join Lorna Ricci, Executive Director, Ocean State Center for Independent Living, (OSCIL) in this inter-active session to learn how to communicate more effectively with your blind, vision impaired, deaf, hearing impaired and/or physically disabled library patrons. Make sure that your patrons are comfortable and confident in your ability to assist them in your library.

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Share your Summer Reading Program 2019 story! Join us for table talk disscussions on pressing SRP topics and hear from the Summer Learning Grant recipients. Learn more about the 2020 Summer Learning Grants and the application process as we finish the day with a LORI Grant Workshop.

Participants are asked to bring their 2019 SRP materials to share and display.

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Creating a welcoming, inclusive library environment for immigrants, refugees, and anyone whose first language is not English may seem daunting. Or perhaps you have tried it, but you did not get the outcomes that you hoped to see. Join your colleagues at this program where you will learn about successful steps taken by one library and then take those ideas back to your library and community.

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We'll be discussing YA non-fiction gems, both stand-alone and series. Please submit titles you'd like to discuss to Danielle Margarida (use subject line YA Non-fic) by November 12 or bring your favorite titles to the meeting. The last 30 minutes of the meeting will be reserved for open discussion and networking.

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Whether preparing to apply for a grant, write a long-range plan, or plan a new library program, assessing the community's needs is an essential step in ensuring that whatever project you are developing is meaningful for the community you serve. Join us in an exploration of the various tools and techniques that are available to learn about your community. This will be a hands-on session.

If you have any resources you have used successfully or would like to share, please bring them to the session or send them to Kelly Metzger before the session.

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We’ll continue our discussion of the best children’s books of 2019. Please read at least half the books on the second discussion list. Voting for a Rhode Island winner and honor books will take place on January 14, 2020 using the balloting procedures of the real Newbery committee. The second discussion list will be available on October 8 at http://www.olis.ri.gov/youth/newbery/index.php.

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It’s time to vote for a Rhode Island Mock Newbery winner and honor books! Please read all the titles from the third reading list and come prepared to defend your top picks before we vote using the balloting procedures of the real Newbery committee. The third discussion list will be available on December 6 at http://www.olis.ri.gov/youth/newbery/index.php.