Join your youth services colleagues for a discussion about Drag Queen Story Hour - what it is, why host one, and how to prepare for public reaction.

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Trendy technology in libraries is quite often targeted toward youth, but that does not mean that adults don't want in on the fun! This session will explore program models for using trendy technology like virtual reality and makerspace equipment with your adult patrons. Dave Bartos from the Cranston Public Library will share about their Virtual Reality "V-Lab" and how they have used that technology with adult community members. Lee Smith from the Providence Community Library will share about adult makerspace programs and open maker hours at the Mt. Pleasant branch.

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Interested in applying for a 2020 Summer Learning Grant, but aren't sure how to start designing a project? Join us for hands-on Design Thinking activities that will help you develop and plan a project that meets your community's needs and your library's capacity. We'll discuss the priorities for summer learning as outlined in the grant application and give time for participants to share ideas and work collaboratively.

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Discover what the Annual Survey revealed about public libraries in Rhode Island. View highlights and discuss with attendees how these revelations might impact planning for services, collections, and programs at your library. Time will also be devoted to demonstrating how to generate reports on LibPAS, and how to visualize the data using LibPAS and Excel.

The print disabled in your community need books and other reading materials that are accessible to them. If your library does not have an institutional account, your blind, visually impaired and physically handicapped patrons are missing out! Find out how easy it is to establish an institutional account and the benefits of having one.

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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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Join the museum staff as they give a rundown of their digitization processes and get a peek inside the International Tennis Hall of Fame vaults to see what will be digitized next.

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Part two of the copyright workshop will offer 4 programs in 2 concurrent tracks. Audiences will have the opportunity to attend two 90-minute programs on topics including Creative Commons, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act and more.

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Interested in applying for a 2020 Connected Learning Grant, but aren't sure how to start designing a project? Join us for hands-on Design Thinking activities that will help you develop and plan a project that meets your community's needs and your library's capacity. We'll offer an overview of connected learning and how it looks in practice while giving time for participants to share ideas and work collaboratively.

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Rescheduled from September 24.

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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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.

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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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As libraries expand their use of virtual reality, interest in creating content for virtual reality rather than simply consuming it has been growing. Whether created in conjunction with community organizations, used as an educational program for teens, or offering highlights of the library itself, 360 degree video is an exciting potential format for libraries to explore. David Sok, IT manager at the Providence Community Library, will take you through the process of creating 360 videos yourself, from assessing the equipment, filming, editing video in Adobe Premiere Pro and making videos available to your community via VR.

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