Youth Services News

Young Adult Roundtable Fall Meeting

Date: Tuesday, September 17, 2024

Time: 10:00am - 3:30pm

Location: Jamestown Philomenian Library

Library staff serving teens are invited to this in-person session for networking and reflection. Agenda and registration coming soon.

Children's Services Roundtable Fall Meeting
Date: Friday, October 4, 2024

Time: 10:00am - 3:30pm

Location: Maury Loontjens Memorial Library (Narragansett)

Library staff serving children are invited to this in-person session for networking and reflection. Agenda and registration coming soon.

The annual Mock Newbery and Mock Caldecott programs will return this fall. These programs are an opportunity to read the newest children’s books and to discuss them with other passionate readers. All discussion meetings will be virtual.

Mock Caldecott meetings are scheduled for September 10, November 12, and January 14, 6pm-7:30pm.

Register for discussions at https://olis.ri.gov/programs-and-support/youth-services/mock-caldecott

Mock Newbery meetings are scheduled for October 9, December 4, and January 8, 6pm-7:30pm.

Register for discussions at https://olis.ri.gov/programs-and-support/youth-services/professional-development/mock-newbery

Find the first reading list for both mock discussions below.

Just a reminder that your financial report for your Summer Reading Mini-Grant is due no later than Monday, August 19 to report on and request reimbursement for your approved supplies and services. If you are hosting presenters/educational programs, OLIS will not approve the financial report if those programs have not already occurred so please wait to submit until all services have been rendered.

***Important note: the instructions incorrectly indicated that you should put the final day of the grant period (August 19) as the end date of your reporting period in the financial report. We have since learned that putting a future date may cause the invoice to fail in the state's financial system. Please set the end of the reporting period to the day that you are submitting the report.***

Sorry for any confusion about that, please see the attached, updated instructions for submitting your financial report. Please don't hesitate to reach out to OLIS staff with questions about your reports!

A three-year project funded by IMLS, the Transforming Teen Services for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (TS4EDI) project investigated the challenges library staff face and the support they need for designing and sustaining connected teen learning experiences, including in rural and small libraries. Researchers engaged in:

• A review of published literature and materials from IMLS funded initiatives
• Partnership with 9 libraries representing a mix of rural and urban settings.
• Interviews with 13 partner library staff and 12 additional library staff to understand their experiences with connected learning in teen services.

The project produced reports tailored to public library leadership and teen services staff, with key findings and recommendations, as well as checklists for how to put connected learning in practice. These publications, and related resources for library leaders, staff, and researchers can be found on the Connected Learning through Libraries resource page of the Connected Learning Alliance.

A big thank you to the RI librarians who contributed to this project:

• Morgan Walsh, Youth Services Librarian, Island Free Library
• Sarah Griffin, Youth Services Librarian, Rogers Free Library
• Kyera Shea, Librarian, Rogers Free Library
• Jennifer McGrath, Teen Librarian, Pawtucket Public Library
• Kate Aubin, Head of Youth Services, Providence Public Library
• Mollie Goldblum, Youth Services Librarian, Providence Public Library

Another thank you to Kylie Woodmansee (Coventry Public Library) and Danielle Skeldon (East Providence Public Library) for reviewing the TS4EDI report and sharing their thoughts in blog posts for the Connected Learning Alliance.

• Pickle Autopsies, Dungeons and Dragons, and Restaurant Trivia Events: Supporting Diverse Youth Interests and Community Partnerships at Coventry (RI) Public Library

• East Providence (RI) Public Library: Welcoming Teens in Library Spaces

Find all blog posts and see how libraries throughout the country are incorporating connected learning at Connected Learning Alliance blog.

Download the TS4EDI reports:

• Transformative Outcomes Through Community Engagement: How Public Library Leaders Foster Connected Learning Teen Services
• Transformative Outcomes Through Community Engagement: How Public Library Staff Foster Connected Learning Teen Services

Building Equity-Based Summers’ (BEBS) empowers libraries to create summer services that are built on a foundation of equity and designed with the community to ensure systemically marginalized groups engage in library services in new ways. Learn more about this work with the BEBS podcast. The first four episodes include:

• The Why of Equity and the Why of Equitable Summer Services

• Start Where You Are But Don't Stay There
• Evaluation Can Have an Equity Center
• It's OK to Feel Discomfort
• We Need to Give This Work Time to Take Hold
• Equity-Based Teen Services Requires Authenticity
  
• Balancing Thoughtful Progress with Equity Goals
• Reimagining Libraries: Acting as a Public Servant to Foster Community Connection
• Who Are We As an Organization?
• So Much to Learn
• How Summer Traditions Impact Equitable Summer Practices
  

Listen at https://bebspodcast.buzzsprout.com/2235015

A huge thank you to everyone who has welcomed me to their library and Summer Reading Program the past few months. Experiencing your work, meeting your community, and learning more about summer at your library has been incredibly impactful and provided much to reflect upon. I am inspired by the work you are doing for and with your communities and grateful for your insights. I am wishing everyone the best as you wrap up your summer programs and hope you have scheduled some time to rest and reset.

- Danielle