State librarian keeps track of RI history
By admin | December 9, 2014
State Librarian Tom Evans and the State Library were featured in the Providence Journal on December 8, State Librarian Speaks Volumes of RI History. Hats off to Tom for his work with the state legislature and tracking all the happenings at the State House!
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Planning e-News Offers Timely Info for RI Communities
By Donna DiMichele | December 5, 2014
The Rhode Island Statewide Planning Program, part of the Department of Administration, publishes an online newsletter. The newsletter includes information about available grants, educational seminars, and community development. You can subscribe to the newsletter by contacting Kim Gelfuso at the Statewide Planning Program.
Some topics in the December 2014 newsletter include an Introduction to GIS, How to Engage the Public and Build Support for Community Planning Projects, a series on Landscape Architecture offered by URI and grants to local governments with municipal historic preservation programs.
Read the December issue of the Statewide Planning e-News
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IMLS Grant Opportunities
By Donna DiMichele | December 5, 2014
On December 2, The Institute of Museum and Library Services announced two funding opportunities. Brief summaries about Sparks! Ignition Grants and National Leadership Grants follow. The IMLS is offering webinars to assist applicants with both programs. More information about each program can be found by clicking on the links in the summaries.
Sparks! Ignition Grants for Libraries
The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is accepting applications for Sparks! Ignition Grants for Libraries. The application deadline is February 2, 2015. Press Release
Sparks! Ignition Grants for Libraries are small grants that encourage libraries and archives to prototype and evaluate innovations that result in new tools, products, services, or organizational practices. They enable grantees to undertake activities that involve risk and require them to share project results–whether they succeed or fail–to provide valuable information to the library field and help improve the ways libraries serve their communities.
The funding range is from $10,000 to $25,000, and there are no matching requirements. Projects must begin on October 1, November 1, or December 1, 2015.
Program guidelines and more information about the funding opportunity.
Participate in a webinar to learn more about the program, ask questions, and listen to the questions and comments of other participants. The webinars are scheduled for Thursday, December 11, 2014, and Tuesday, January 6, 2015, both at 4 p.m. ET. Learn more
National Leadership Grants for Libraries: Second Round of Funding for FY 2015
Preliminary Proposals Will Be Accepted until the February 2, 2015 Deadline
IMLS announced the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the second round of FY 2015 National Leadership Grants for Libraries. The IMLS National Leadership Grants for Libraries program invests $12 million annually in projects that improve professional library and archive practice, drive innovation, and have a national impact. Press Release
This year, IMLS offered two opportunities to apply for FY 2015 National Leadership Grants for Libraries. This NOFO announces the February 2, 2015 deadline and is a call for two-page preliminary proposals. From the proposals, we will select applicants and invite them to submit full proposals in June. Applicants who were not invited to continue from the first round of funding are welcome to submit new preliminary proposals during this round.
Applications that address two project categories are encourages. They were identified in a series of IMLS Focus meetings held earlier this year:
- National digital platform, with support to bridge gaps between disparate pieces of the existing digital library infrastructure for increased efficiencies, cost-savings, access, and services. Note: the program cannot support the digitization of content.
- Learning spaces in libraries, including work that builds institutional capacity, develops STEM learning, engages community, and encourages partnerships to support all types of learning and inquiry, including participatory and hands-on learning in libraries.
IMLS staff members are available by phone and email to discuss general issues relating to the National Leadership Grants for Libraries program. We also invite you to participate in a webinar to learn more about the program, ask questions, and listen to the questions and comments of other participants.
The webinars for prospective applicants are scheduled for Thursday, December 11, 2014 and Tuesday, January 6, 2015, both at 3 p.m. Eastern. Learn more
See grant program guidelines for additional webinar details.
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Immigrant Outreach from Your Library
By Donna DiMichele | December 5, 2014
In the past year, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have collaborated to support library services to immigrants.
In an upcoming webinar, representatives from the USCIS Public Engagement Division and the Office of Citizenship will review the achievements of the USCIS and IMLS partnership in the past fiscal year. They will explore common inquiries immigrant library patrons may present, identify useful USCIS resources, and discuss ways in which libraries can engage with USCIS to become more active in immigrant outreach initiatives. Press release
Date and Time of webinar: Wednesday, December 17 at 2 p.m. ET.
For more information about the IMLS/USCIS collaborations and other IMLS initiatives to support service to immigrants, visit the IMLS website
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Local library gamers win worldwide title
By karen | November 19, 2014
Congratulations to the Providence Community Library and its Minecraft program, which provided the winning team in the International Games Day Minecraft Hunger Games. Just last week PCL’s Ed Graves, manager of the Rochambeau Library, was talking about the value of gaming in libraries at OLIS’ Continuing Education program, Exploring the New Normal: Trends in Library Services. Ed co-presented with Emily Brown from Cranston Public Library, which also has a popular Minecraft program. Minecraft is the one of the most popular video games of all time, with millions of users worldwide.
The PCL team was the only RI team to enter the event. Read about their success in today’s Providence Journal.
Update 12/5: Also read a more in-depth article about International Games Day and the Providence winners in School Library Journal.
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Letters About Literature 2015
By Donna DiMichele | November 12, 2014
Rhode Island students in grades 4 through 12 are invited to enter the Letters About Literature (LAL) National Contest sponsored by the Library of Congress and the Rhode Island center for the Book. State winners receive a cash prize of $100 and advance to the national level judging. National Winners (one national winner at each level) receive $1,000 cash award and one National Honor winner per level wins a $200 cash award.
The deadlines are:
· December 15, 2014 for Level 3 (Grades 9 – 12);
· January 15, 2015 for Levels 2 (grades 7 & 8) and Level 1 (Grades 4 -6)
To enter Letters About Literature, young readers write a personal letter to a favorite author, describing the impact of the author’s book on his or her life or explaining how that book helped them see an aspect of the world—large or small—through new eyes. Encouraging reader response and reflective writing, LAL builds two key aspects of literacy, reading and writing, on a personal and very meaningful level.
The Guidelines and Entry Form for teachers and librarians can downloaded from the Rhode Island Center for the Book web site.
Letters About Literature supports national standards for teaching language arts & reading as recommended by the National Council of Teachers of English and the International Reading Association. A Teachers’ Guide with lesson plans, sample letters and links to the Common Core State Standards is also posted on the RI Center for the Book’s website http://ribook.org/. You may also access the information at the Library of Congress web site http://www.read.gov/letters/.
For more information about the contest and RI’s involvement, please call or email Louise Moulton (401-455-8134; lmoulton@provlib.org) or Kate Lentz at the RI Center for the Book (401-273-2250; kate@ribook.org ).
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Cultural Heritage Disaster Webinars
By Donna DiMichele | November 10, 2014
There is still time to register for Heritage Preservation’s webinar series! Be sure not to miss out on these free presentations, covering important emergency management programs offered at the state and federal level. Ample time is built into each 90-minute webinar for Q&A.
Mitigation and Mitigation Planning
Thursday, November 13, 2014
3:00 – 4:30 pm Eastern
Presenter: Scott Baldwin, Mitigation Specialist, Colorado Office of Emergency Management
Topics to be covered include:
- What organizations can do to mitigate damage and loss to the collections and holdings, beginning with hazard identification and risk assessment
- State and local hazard mitigation plans and how to include cultural resources in these plans
- Funding available to private nonprofits (PNPs) through FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grants Program
- Communication strategies to engage with emergency managers and related professionals
Register for Mitigation and Mitigation Planning. More information.
Disaster and Continuity Planning and Preparedness
Thursday, November 20, 2014
3:00 – 4:30 pm Eastern
Presenter: Kiran Dhanji, Section Administrator, Preparedness, Texas Division of Emergency Management
Topics to be covered include:
- The link between disaster response and continuity of operations plans
- How to identify and plan to recover your essential functions, supported by the four core pillars of continuity planning: leadership, staff, communications, and facilities
- The planning process, including who to involve, when to bring stakeholder groups together, and how to develop useful and used plans
Register for Disaster and Continuity Planning and Preparedness. More information.
Federal Disaster Recovery Assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for Private, Nonprofit Organizations
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
3:00 – 4:30 pm Eastern
Presenter: Mark Randle, SBA Public Information Officer
Topics to be covered include:
- The SBA federal declaration process: How, When, Where
- Loans to help repair/replace property damage
- Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster
- Eligibility, terms, and conditions
- The application process and the processing of applications
- Disbursement of funds and the use of loan proceeds
Register for Federal Disaster Recovery Assistance from the U.S. SBA. More information.
Can’t attend? The webinar will be recorded and you will be notified when it’s been posted to the State Heritage Emergency Partnership. You can then notify your colleagues of its availability as well.
Registration Fee : NONE! Thanks to funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the State Heritage Emergency Partnership Webinar Series is free. However, registration for each webinar is required for attendance.
Questions? Contact Katelin Lee, Emergency Programs Assistant, 202-233-0835 klee@heritagepreservation.org
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NN/LM, NER Funding Opportunities
By Donna DiMichele | November 6, 2014
National Network of Libraries of Medicine, New England Region, Funding Opportunities
A Request for Proposals for funds covering the period of May 1, 2015-April 30, 2016 is posted at: http://nnlm.gov/ner/funding/. The number of awarded projects and amount of funding available is contingent upon NLM funding for NER’s FY2015/16 budget year. Please look over the information carefully and if you are thinking of a project or have an idea and want to discuss, contact Mary Piorun, PhD, Associate Director, NN/LM NER
IMPORTANT: Contact Mary Piorun by November 7, 2014 if you will be applying. Proposals are due November 21, 2014. piorun@umassmed.edu
There are three categories of funding:
Express Outreach Awards
Express Outreach is the broad category of awards for projects involving community outreach, professional development, and instructional design.
- Library Services to Health Agencies Awards supports outreach to health related organizations based on the unit cost of services (document delivery, reference consultations, and training sessions) to be provided.
- Member Program Awards is for development of a training program directed at health information professionals or healthcare providers in areas related to health information access.
- Community Preparedness is for collaborative planning or promotion of community resources for emergency preparedness.
- Community Engagement Awards support short-term outreach projects that involve advancing health information resources in collaboration with local community groups. These projects are smaller than extensive outreach subcontracts.
- Exhibits Awards are for members’ participation at venues that promote health information resources. Funds support registration and fees, travel, and related expenses. Members can promote their local library resources while promoting the National Library of Medicine.
- Health Information Research Awards supports the development and implementation of a project investigating outcomes related to health information interventions.
- Library Digitization Awards enable libraries to increase accessibility within and without the institution of local collections that are not currently available for use.
- Technology Improvement Awards is for supporting equipment purchases to broaden electronic access to health information.
Knowledge Management Projects
The primary purpose of the Knowledge Management Project funding is to stimulate innovations in biomedical knowledge management and information services at the health care institution or health system level. The intent of funding is to assist network members in the establishment of Healthcare Knowledge Service Centers within their healthcare institutions
Health Information Outreach Subcontract
The primary purpose of the Health Information Outreach Subcontract is to assist Network members and other health-related agencies in their efforts to provide information services and training to audiences not normally reached. Targeted health care workers and consumers should be engaged in one or more of the following:
- Working with members of special populations who seek health information;
- Practicing in medically underserved urban or rural areas; and/or
- Serving in state, county or local public health offices or settings.
In addition, Health Information Outreach Subcontracts are offered to:
- Identify areas or populations that are in need of better health information services.
- Provide access to health information resources to health workers and consumers lacking convenient access to quality information resources.
- Increase the awareness and use of National Library of Medicine health information resources.
- Expand the Network’s health information delivery to include the public health work force.
- Strengthen the Network by developing the role of librarians as health information mediators.
Contact Mary Piorun if you have any questions.
Mary Piorun, PhD, Associate Director,
NN/LM NER
University of Massachusetts Medical School
P) 508/856-2223
piorun@umassmed.edu
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Blackstone Heritage Corridor Grant Program
By Donna DiMichele | November 6, 2014
Blackstone Heritage Corridor Grant Program
A new funding source is available for municipalities, nonprofit organizations and state agencies who work in the 24 cities and towns of the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor.
Blackstone Heritage Corridor, Inc. announced a grant program to help others support its work in the region to: tell the story of American industrialization, preserve and enhance Valley communities, balance conservation and growth, and promote river recovery.
Municipal boards, commissions, or committees, schools, nonprofit organizations and state agencies are eligible to apply for the 2014 Partnership Grant Program.
Projects include but are not limited to preservation and restoration of historic structures and landscapes, trail and park development, education programs, exhibits, sustainable tourism projects, and projects that engage youth and minorities in awareness and stewardship of the National Heritage Corridor.
The grants will range from $5,000 to $30,000 per project and must be matched at least 1:1 by non-federal sources which may be cash or in-kind contributions.
The deadline is noon, November 17, 2014.
For details & application materials, visit www.blackstoneheritagecorridor.org
Applicants must complete a cover sheet and a one-page letter of intent and send it by email or regular mail to:
Charlene Cutler
Executive Director
Blackstone Heritage Corridor, Inc.
One Depot Square
Woonsocket, RI 02895
Email: c_cutler@blackstoneheritagecorridor.org
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Re-Envisioning Public Libraries
By karen | October 30, 2014
The Aspen Institute has just released Rising to the Challenge: Re-Envisioning Public Libraries, the culmination of the year-long Dialogue on Public Libraries. Funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Dialogue brought together librarians, policymakers, technology experts and others to explore the evolving role of libraries in the 21st century.
The report identifies three key assets that libraries are built on: people, place and platform. In addition, it identifies four strategies for success:
- Aligning library services in support of community goals
- Providing access to content in all formats
- Ensuring the long-term sustainability of public libraries
- Cultivating leadership
The report is presented to engage both the library community and those outside the library community in meaningful dialogue to “help advance the work that libraries are doing to address community challenges and to support the transformation of communities and their public libraries in the digital age.” It includes case studies and action steps for various stakeholder groups.
The report is available online at the Aspen Institute’s Dialogue on Public Libraries website. You can download the entire 80 page report at the bottom of the page, or read it section by section online. If you only have time to read a small part, check out the brief Executive Summary.
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