iREAD

In November instructions for downloading this year’s SRP Guide from iREAD was sent to the SRP contact at each library (in most cases the children's librarian/head of youth services). Please check with your SRP contact for download instructions. Guides must be downloaded before June 1, 2024. If you do not know your library's contact or if no one at your library received instructions, please contact Danielle at danielle.margarida@olis.ri.gov.

On January 24th iREAD is hosting a virtual 2024 showcase. Learn all about the 2024 iRead theme: Read, Renew, Repeat. Get inspired with ideas for decorations, programs, and get a sneak peek at the theme for 2025. Learn more and register at https://www.ila.org/events/ila-noon-network/iread-2024-showcase

Posters and Bookmarks

Earlier this month the request form for 2024 posters and bookmarks was sent to the SRP contact at each library. Only one request form should be submitted per library and forms are due February 5th. Please see the document below for the artwork available for posters and bookmarks.

Mini-grants

Summer Reading Mini-Grants will return for 2024. These non-competitive grants will be available to help support summer learning activities for youth and adults. More information about the grants will be provided at the Summer Reading Mini-Grant Information Webinar on February 14th. The mini-grant request form will be available February 20th and due March 18th.

Summer Summit 2024

Save the date for the New England Summer Summit on March 15th. Join library staff from throughout New England to invigorate your Summer Reading Program planning. More details coming soon!

This Thursday the Warwick Public Library is hosting a performer/educator fair. Library staff are invited to visit with over 35 performers and educators who are available to be hired for library programs.

Where: Warwick Public Library, 600 Sandy Lane

Date: Thursday, January 25

Time: 4:30pm-6:30pm

This fair is hosted by the Warwick Public Library and organized by Pam Miech, pmiech@warwicklibrary.org

All library staff serving youth who would like to be part of the Young Adult Roundtable and the Children’s Services Roundtable are invited to host a 2024 roundtable meeting. Meetings will remain hybrid for 2024. Meetings with less than 5 people registered for in-person participation will be moved to a virtual only meeting.

The blank schedule and instructions can be found here

The list of suggested topics can be found at here

Scheduling for Young Adult Roundtable

The blank schedule and instructions can be found here

The list of suggested topics can be found here

Mark your calendar for Saturday, May 4th!

Public libraries are invited to participate in the annual kickoff event at the State House. It's a great opportunity to promote your library and summer reading program to families from all over the state. In the past libraries have hosted activity tables related to the summer reading theme or the KRARI book.

The announcement of the 2024 KRARI selection and the book set request form is coming soon!

Voting for the 2024 RI Children's Book Award will take place March 1 - April 30. Beginning March 1, 2024, schools and libraries may submit their voting results using the online form. The winner will be announced early May 2024.

Voting materials will be available February 2024.

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
  

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

Thursday, March 21 · 3 - 6pm EDT

Virtual

How has artificial intelligence impacted library services, resources, and work so far? How have libraries responded to these evolving technologies to better support their communities? It's been over a year since generative artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT and Dall-E have been introduced in public spaces and consciousness, but AI has been around long before these tools yet there are still lingering concerns, challenges, and considerations. Join the Library 2.0 community for this free virtual conference to learn how libraries and library workers are engaging with artificial intelligence tools in their libraries from research support to information literacy to technical services. The conversations held in the conference will address the practical implications of these tools in the profession.

Learn more and register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/library-2024-ai-and-libraries-registration-800281532607?aff=oddtdtcreator

Saturday, February 3, 2024 · 8:30am-3:00p

East Providence High School
2000 Pawtucket Ave. East Providence

Join NEARI to celebrate Black history in education and lift up the stories of writers, inventors, and innovators in the Black community. As Vol. 3 of the Diversity Lesson Planning Workshop Series, we will explore new ideas for teaching Blackhistory and cultures with classroom implementation, applicable standards and unit design. Free and open to all educators and community members (NEARI membership not required to attend).
with keynote speaker
award-winning YA author

KEKLA MAGOON

Learn more and register at https://www.neari.org/members/professional-development/black-history-conference