OLIS News & Updates

Week of February 13, 2023

OLIS Job Opening: Resource Sharing Coordinator

The Office of Library and Information Services is seeking a librarian to join our team as Resource Sharing Coordinator. This position works in the area of network services, and is responsible for developing, coordinating, and supporting resource sharing activities among libraries statewide, including coordinating the statewide delivery and interlibrary loan systems. Learn more.

Apply Now

Applications due February 20, 2023.

What's New on the OLIS Website?

OLIS Staff Changes

OLIS bid a fond farewell to long-time team member, Chaichin Chen on December 31, 2022. Chaichin served as Resource Sharing and Network Services Coordinator for many years, overseeing delivery, Interlibrary Loan, Library of Rhode Island (LORI) Certification and functions, and the ever-evolving OLIS website. She also served as eRate Coordinator, navigating the complex world of federal reimbursement for internet, and previously telephone, services for RI public libraries. Chaichin leaves big shoes to fill at OLIS and will be much missed here and in the library community. We wish her the very best in her retirement!

Shortly after, on January 5, 2023, OLIS welcomed a new Digital Resources Coordinator, Chelsea Watts. Chelsea will coordinate OLIS web services and online resources, and provide support for other digital initiatives such as the Rhode Island hub for the Digital Public Library of America. She will also serve as a member of the Network Services Team, which manages Library of Rhode Island (LORI) resource sharing and delivery.

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LORI RSWG Seeks Volunteer Mentors
Are you comfortable with LORI resource sharing and interlibrary loan procedures? Are you willing to help mentor new colleagues who might need occasional assistance troubleshooting an ILL request? If yes, the Resource Sharing Working Group needs you!

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RI Children's Book Award 2023 Voting

Voting for the 2023 RI Children's Book Award will take place February 1, 2023 - March 13, 2023. Beginning February 1, schools and libraries may submit their voting results using the online form.The winner will be announced by April 3, 2023.

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New England Summer Summit: March 31

Registration is open for the 2023 New England Summer Summit, scheduled for March 31st. All library staff who participate in, or support, Summer programming are encouraged to attend. The full schedule will be available soon. All sessions will be recorded and available for viewing in early April.

Governor's FY24 Proposed State Aid to Libraries
The Governor's proposed budget for FY24 includes full funding for State Aid to Libraries at 25% of local appropriations and expenditures.

FY2022 Public Library Staffing and Salaries Report Available

A report containing staffing and salary data from the FY2022 Public Library Annual Survey is

now available.

ARPA at Work in Rhode Island Libraries

From May 2021 to September 2022, OLIS distributed $2.2 million to Rhode Island libraries to support response to and recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. Learn how those funds were put to use.

Grant Opportunity: 2023 Access for All Abilities
The Paul V. Sherlock Center on Disabilities at Rhode Island College is soliciting applications from local businesses and organizations for the 2023 Access for All Abilities Mini Grant cycle. The Sherlock Center will award grants with the purpose of increasing access for people with disabilities to social, leisure, recreational, and/or cultural activities. Grant awards of up to $2,500 are available.

Applications due March 31.

What's New on Talking Books Library?

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New NLS Spanish-language Website

The Communications and Outreach Section is pleased to announce the launch of our NLS Spanish-language website. This new, 24-page site provides general program information, lists of resources in Spanish, and provides an easy way to access Spanish-language materials. By visiting the NLS website at www.loc.gov/nls/es/, those interested in NLS and its services can learn more about the program and how to apply, all en español.

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Black History Month February 1 to March 1

Black History Month (February 1 to March 1) is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Celebrate Black History Month by reading selected titles.

NLS Quarterly Patron Corner, March 13

On Monday, March 13, at 7:00 p.m. EST, the NLS Patron Engagement Section will host the next quarterly Patron Corner. The topic is Locally Produced Books – Building a Collection That Is Personal to You. The guest panel will include representatives from the Texas, Utah, Missouri, and Washington State libraries. Tamara Rorie, Head of the Patron Engagement Section, will moderate the panel.

Announcing the Carroll Center for the Blind Registration for the Walk for Independence

Join us on Saturday, June 3 from 8:00 am – 12:00 pm at the Mt. Ida campus of UMass Amherst in Newton. The 2022 Walk was a banner year, and we hope you will participate in 2023 to help us reach our goals of 500 attendees and $225,000 raised to support the Carroll Center’s mission.

Multiple Books on 1 Cartridge

Perkins in Watertown, MA which is the vendor that sends out books for the RI Talking Books Library program, has begun placing multiple titles on a single cartridge for some members. Once the cartridge is inserted into the player, it will say how many titles are on the cartridge, but it will not tell you the specific titles. You may skip to the next title on the cartridge by pressing down the fast forward button FF or by using bookshelf mode.

NLS Announces BARD MobileApp for the BlindShell

We’re excited to announce the launch of the BARD mobile app for the BlindShell Classic 2 and continue our journey in building the world’s greatest accessible cell phone platform. The BARD mobile app is the number one request from the sight loss community, and we’re proud to deliver this powerful new app.