Libraries Transform Toolkits
By Donna DiMichele | May 29, 2019
Raise awareness about your library’s programs and activities. You can post the American Library Association’s eye-grabbing Libraries Transform statements on the library’s social media or print posters and bookmarks to distribute in your building. Special summer learning statements are available including “Because the Summer Slide Isn’t Playground Equipment”; “Because Students Who Read During the Summer, End Up on the Honor Roll in the Fall”; and “Because Learning Happens 24/7”. There is also a Family Engagement Toolkit which provides ideas and tips for promoting library services that support families and children’s learning and development all year long.
Other Toolkits focus on health literacy, critical thinking, Libraries + Strong Communities, and library card sign-up month.
Download the print and digital graphics now from the Libraries Transform toolkit. (If you haven’t already created a Libraries Transform account, you’ll be prompted to do so to access toolkit materials).
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Adult Literacy XPrize
By Nicolette Baffoni | April 16, 2019
Together with the RI Department of Education, the RI Office of Innovation, the RI Office of Postsecondary Commissioner, and Providence Public Library, OLIS is pleased to be part of an effort focused on promoting the use of mobile phone apps for native English-speaking and English language learner adults at the beginning-intermediate levels. Rhode Island is part of a national team through the EdTech Center at World Education (Team WorldEd).
Four apps are being made available through the XPRIZE Communities Competition. Teams nationwide are competing for cash prizes for having the most community members download one of the apps using an Android phone or tablet on at least three days by August 2019. App(s) downloaded by August 2019 will be FREE until August 2020. Some of the apps are also available for iOS but will not count toward the competition.
How can you help?
- Become familiar with the project through the FAQ and World Ed website.
- Distribute flyers and pamphlets to prospective users and colleagues. The flyers describe the steps to access the apps via Google Play. The code for the RI team is 3366.
- Direct prospective users to their local Learning Lounge for support in downloading and using the apps, if needed.
- Stay in touch as additional materials and updates will be provided.
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Public Libraries and Health Literacy
By Donna DiMichele | March 5, 2019
The Public Library Association (PLA) has expanded its partnership with the National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NNLM), a program of the National Library of Medicine (NLM).
Starting in March 2019, PLA and NNLM will team up to raise awareness of the National Institute of Health’s “All of Us” Research Program, a historic effort to gather data from one million or more people living in the U.S., to accelerate research and improve health. By taking into account individual differences in lifestyle, environment, and biology, researchers will uncover paths toward delivering precision medicine. This new effort will be a cornerstone of the All of Us and NLM partnership.
All of Us is a drive to address inequity in the health care system. Public libraries can help improve health outcomes for all populations within their community, particularly those who have been historically underrepresented in biomedical research and medical advancements, through health outreach, programming, and partnership.
Over the next 15 months, PLA and NNLM will work together to support public libraries to increase health literacy, address health research inequities, and strengthen community partnerships with health advocates and providers.
Through the partnership with PLA, NNLM will be able to advance its goal of supporting public libraries in meeting the health information needs of their communities by providing:
- health information training for public library staff;
- funding and other resources to support health programming and activities, including digital literacy training; and
- connections to medical libraries and other NNLM network members in their area.
The partnership will support community engagement around All of Us by elevating the role of public libraries in locating reliable health information and creating connections through library spaces and technology. Through the partnership with PLA, NNLM will be able to advance its goal of supporting public libraries in meeting the health information needs of their communities by providing:
Additional information about All of Us can be found at joinallofus.org/nlm. Information on PLA’s health initiatives can be found at http://www.ala.org/pla/initiatives/healthliteracy.
In 2017, PLA and NNLM launched Promoting Healthy Communities, a nine-month project to assess health information needs among public librarians and share free health literacy resources. The goal of Promoting Healthy Communities was to increase public library workers’ knowledge and skills related to consumer health services.
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Read Across America Day
By admin | February 28, 2019
From the Office of Senator Jack Reed:
“In an effort to improve literacy, promote a lifelong love of books, and encourage children to explore a world of discovery and new ideas through reading, Senator Jack Reed and Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) are once again leading a national effort to designate March 2nd as “Read Across America Day.” Reed and Collins are introducing a bi-partisan Senate resolution encouraging parents to read with their children and honoring beloved children’s author Theodor Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, for his efforts to make reading fun for kids of all ages. This year, the 22nd annual Read Across America Day coincides with what would have been Geisel’s 115th birthday. “
A Read Across America Read-A-Thon will be held on Saturday, March 2 at the Warwick Mall and will be one of many reading events taking place across RI this week.
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RILA Money Smart Week
By Nicolette Baffoni | February 11, 2019
Money Smart Week begins on March 30th! Still haven’t booked a program? The Financial Literacy Roundtable (FLRT) has compiled a list of contacts for financial education providers throughout the state to help you get started: Financial Literacy Program Resource List.
FLRT would love to help you promote your Money Smart Week events, so please submit them through the FLRT MSW Financial Literacy Program form by Friday, March 1st. Events will be listed in the statewide calendar, posted to the Money Smart Week RI Facebook page, and promoted at the kick-off event. Contact flrt@rilibraries.org with any questions!
This year, FLRT is partnering with the Financial Planning Association of RI to host Financial Planning Day at the North Providence Public Library to kick off MSW. The event will take place on Saturday, March 30th from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm and is open to the public. Certified Financial Planners will provide free, one-on-one consultations with attendees, as well as present on Investing Basics and Real-World Retirement Planning. Visit Eventbrite for details and to register.
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Preservation and Programming Grants Available
By Donna DiMichele | February 6, 2019
The Rhode Island Foundation is accepting grant applications for
the preservation of original historical manuscripts and municipal records; and
for the preservation of records or the implementation of programs about Rhode Island legal history and/or constitutional history.
Joseph O’Neill Ott Fund: Supports the preservation of original historical manuscripts and documents and municipal records of the smaller cities and towns in Rhode Island from the 19th century and earlier.
Deadline: March 8, 2019
RI Supreme Court Historical Society Fund: Supports nonprofits that provide programs, preserve artifacts and records of the court system, publish works about Rhode Island legal history, and offer public forums about Rhode Island legal and constitutional history.
Deadline: March 8, 2019
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Commitment to Expand Access to Naloxone Continues
By Donna DiMichele | January 30, 2019
Obtain Narcan at no cost
Emergent BioSolutions, through its subsidiary Adapt Pharma, will continue offering one free box (two doses) of NARCAN® (naloxone HCl) Nasal Spray, the leading community-use naloxone, and educational materials to public libraries. This is a nasal spray; no needles are used.
“Public libraries are at the heart of every U.S. community and collaborate each day with partners to address critical local needs,” said Michelle Jeske, Denver Public Library City Librarian and member of the Public Library Association Board and of the Libraries and the Opioid Crisis Steering Committee. “During the current opioid crisis, libraries are working with other public agencies to identify and share vital information and resources, host community forums, and provide staff training to respond to overdoses. This is one step of a long journey toward lasting community-based solutions.” (October 2018) Press Release
For more information contact NARCAN customer service at 844-232-7811. Program enrollment forms are available online.
Free Training in the Administration of Narcan
Rhode Island public libraries may also continue to get free training (or retraining) in the administration of Narcan by contacting NOPE-RI. The Naloxone and Overdose Prevention Education (NOPE-RI) Program’s mission is to provide opioid overdose prevention education to organizations that plan to or have initiated a naloxone response program. To request training, complete the form on the NOPE-RI web page.
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Grants for Digitizing Special Collections and Archives
By Donna DiMichele | January 25, 2019
DIGITIZING HIDDEN SPECIAL COLLECTIONS AND ARCHIVES: ENABLING NEW SCHOLARSHIP THROUGH INCREASING ACCESS TO UNIQUE MATERIALS
A national grant competition administered by the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) for digitizing rare and unique content in collecting institutions. The program is generously supported by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and is built upon the model of CLIR’s Cataloging Hidden Special Collections and Archives program (2008-2014).
Grant Amounts
Single institutions – $50,000 to $250,000
Collaborative, multi-institution applications – $50,000 to $500,000.
Eligible Grant Activities
Digitization of collections of scholarly value
Deadline: April 3, 2019
Complete information and guidelines
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Library of Congress Literacy Awards Applications Available
By Donna DiMichele | January 24, 2019
The Library of Congress invites organizations, including libraries, committed to the advancement of literacy to apply for the 2019 Library of Congress Literacy Awards. Applications will be accepted from January 14 to March 8, 2019.
Created and supported by philanthropist David M. Rubenstein, the Literacy Awards Program is designed to broaden and stimulate public understanding of the essential role of literacy in all aspects of society. Organizations may submit applications for one of three major prizes:
*the David M. Rubenstein Prize ($150,000)
*the American Prize ($50,000) and,
*the International Prize ($50,000).
Applications in all categories will also be considered for Best Practice awards of $5,000 each.
Why Apply?
In addition to receiving cash awards, winning organizations and best practices honorees have opportunities to participate in:
*A prestigious awards ceremony and reception at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.
*An annual conference that encourages peer-to-peer learning, best practices promotion and collaboration.
*A robust network of literacy professionals working all over the world.
The application, rules and other information are available at http://www.read.gov/literacyawards/ The deadline for applications is midnight EDT, March 8, 2019.
Applicants should contact Ricardo E. Gracia Figueroa, Program Specialist rfig@loc.gov. Please see the link below for application information. The deadline is March 8, 2019.
Ricardo E. Gracia Figueroa
Program Specialist
Literacy Awards Program
(202) 707-0596 | rfig@loc.gov
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RI Foundation Offers Training for Non-Profits
By Donna DiMichele | January 17, 2019
The Rhode Island Foundation provides opportunities for nonprofits to strengthen organizational capacity through topic-focused workshops. Visit the Rhode Island Foundation website for more information and registration.
Capacity building workshops
Introduction to Fund Development
February 21
Participants will learn the fundamentals of creating and implementing a fund development plan, including strategies for engaging, cultivating and soliciting funding sources. Participants will also have the opportunity to practice their fundraising skills in a supportive environment.
Introduction to Board Service
March 7
Participants will learn best practices when it comes to serving on a nonprofit board of directors. This workshop will tackle topics pertaining to board service and will touch on the basic responsibilities every nonprofit board member should know.
Introduction to Grant Writing
May 9
Participants will learn typical components in most grant requests, including the Rhode Island Foundation grant application, and tips for how to write a competitive grant proposal.
Successful Board Fundraising
April 11
Participants will learn concrete steps to make every board member a fundraiser. This workshop is aimed specifically at board members with passion for mission and limited experience around fund development.
Board Chair Learning Breakfasts
A monthly convening, specifically for new and seasoned board chairs, will include a mini-workshop and peer discussion focused on specific topics. Breakfast meetings will be held in Providence and at locations around the state.
“How to run a great board meeting” is the topic for February 8, 9-10:30 a.m. Registration required.
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