Angela DiVeglia taking programming to the people. c/o The Animal Print Magazine

If you're running a library, and if your goal is to draw in people who would never ordinarily visit your branch, then Angela DiVeglia is just the person you'd want in charge of the luring. Angela's title at the Rochambeau Library may be "Adult Services Librarian," but that description does little to let the unassuming know just what's behind her quick grin and raucous laugh. In Angela's brain, there must be some kind of M.C. Escher Rube Goldberg Machine, which she uses to crank out one not-to-be-missed, ensnaring programming idea after another.

For instance, one program that she and her colleagues devised this past year was "Dear Diorama." For this event, people were challenged to create dioramas that bring to life scenes from their favorite books. In all, there were twenty-three entries, one of which featured little Oskar Matzerath from The Tin Drum hiding under his mother's skirts. The winner illustrated a rabbity moment from Watership Down in a hollowed-out ukulele. This program's success wasn't simply in that many people participated; it was that the people who got involved weren't regular library patrons or patrons at all. "We wanted age-diverse programming," Angela said. "We wanted to draw in people who really enjoy reading and read a lot, but who don't frequently use the library."  A central part of the program's success, notes Angela, is that it was planned by a strong collaborative team with specialized skills. PCL Board Member Matthew Lawrence (the man behind the Not About the Buildings Annual Spelling Bee) focused on press and publicity, Regional Librarian Ed Graves talked to sponsors and secured necessary permits, and other staff managed logistics such as offering library card signups during the event.

Another unusual, alluring program that Angela hatched is the "Mutt Strut," (based on a genius idea from circulation clerk Edilberta Trejo) which, if you can believe it, is a literary fashion show for dogs. For this event, when part of Hope Street was cordoned off for another celebration, Angela worked to organize this fashion show outside in front of the Rochambeau Library.  

Dorothy Gale (Dog-o-thy Gale?)

Ready for the runway, there were two dogs dressed up as the twins from Sweet Valley High, decked out with tiny matching felt hats and ponytails.   

Jessica Wakefield rules the school

One dog was Dobby, though it's unclear if he had his sock or not. And Daisy from The Great Gatsby even made an appearance in the form of a Chihuahua wearing a bow and vintage jacket. Again, with this program, Angela managed to attract people (and press:

A dog show done by the book c/o Providence Journal

And it's no surprise that Angela has the wily hands of a puppeteer because, starting back in 2006, she was just that in the world-renowned group Bread & Puppet. During her time in that organization, Angela helped put together and perform in sublime puppet shows that are not the small, quaint affairs most of us are used to. Some of the puppets are giant and operated by puppeteers on sixteen-foot stilts. The performances themselves attract thousands of people to an open-air amphitheater in northern Vermont and have themes that delve into nuclear proliferation, war, and gross injustice.

So how can other libraries attract the younger members of their population? "I think there's a really strong interest among millenials and younger adults in handmade and handcrafted items (see the success of Etsy, the DIY Network, the rise of crafting culture)," Angela noted, "Fun, hands-on events like the diorama contest or the dog fashion show play to that interest and aesthetic. We've also focused on a science-fair-type competitive atmosphere, which is, to put it simply, fun. We haven't found it hugely difficult to find local businesses willing to donate prizes, and again, it's an opportunity for us to help out other small businesses in the neighborhood while building relationships outside of the library building."    

What all this points to is that Angela DiVeglia has a knack for orchestration and captivation. She's the one you'd want pushing the levers and pulling the strings to bring new faces to your library. "Dear Diorama II" is coming up February 24, so make sure to set a shoebox aside and to start thinking about what literary scene you'd like to bring to life inside it. And watch out for Angela, especially when she's laughing and casting about her hands.

• Botanists of the time thought that mandrake roots may well have resembled small, screaming humans, as documented in 1491's Hortus Sanitatis.
• Surgeon Ambrose Paré doubted the existence of unicorns, but conceded that if they did exist their horns might have had the medicinal uses apothecaries of the day claimed.
• There really was an alchemist named Nicolas Flamel, and there were people who believed he truly did create the Philosopher's Stone and achieved immortality (despite that whole pesky "dying in 1417" thing).

Providence Community Library(PCL) has announced that Ready For K!, a school readiness project created by PCL and collaborative partners, will become a permanent program after it completes its pilot two-year run in 2015. Funded by a $250,000 grant from IMLS, PCL will expand the number of locations offering Ready For K! from four to all nine of its locations by September 2015.

Ready For K! will offer three, nine-week courses in 2015, starting in January, April and September. Children aged three-and-a-half to five years and their parent/caregiver may enroll in the program and participating families will have up to 18 months to help their child get ready for kindergarten. Ready For K! courses will be scheduled to run alongside PCL's popular early learning program Cradle to Crayons (birth - three years), providing families with an opportunity to work through a seamless sequence of no cost, educational programs at the same location from babyhood to kindergarten.

PCL will enhance its commitment to early learning and school readiness education in 2015 by installing dedicated children's spaces at all nine locations equipped with new, age-appropriate toys, ensuring that PCL's youngest patrons enjoy a safe, well-equipped learning environment.  

Demand for English as a Second Language (ESL) classes continues to outstrip supply and PCL is training eight new ESL volunteer tutors to supplement existing staff. Courses for Spanish speakers preparing for General Educational Development (GED) examinations are also in demand; an additional class, exclusively for family daycare providers, began this month.

PCL will launch a Girls Who Code Club at its Rochambeau location on January 22. The club, which is affiliated to a national nonprofit network, will be led by an instructor from Brown University's Department of Computer Science and will offer girls an opportunity to learn about artificial intelligence, cryptography, graphics, mobile development and many other computer and coding skills. Rochambeau's club is currently the only public Girls Who Code club in Rhode Island and any girl in grades 6-12 is eligible to join it. PCL's computer and gaming classes received a boost in November when 13-year old Rochambeau patron, Catherine Brunzos, after competing against 94 library teams worldwide, was declared world champion in the International Games Day Minecraft Hunger Games Tournament.

It's not too soon to save the dates for spring! This year's RILA Annual Conference will be held on Wednesday, May 27 & Thursday, May 28, 2015. Join us at beautiful Salve Regina University in scenic Newport to connect with your library colleagues from Rhode Island and beyond.

We are delighted to announce our 2015 keynote speakers, Julia Quinn and Scott Bonner. Julia Quinn is a New York Times bestselling author of historical romances, known for her witty, fast-paced novels set in regency England. She is a member of the Romance Writers of America's Hall of Fame and her books have been translated into 28 languages. Julia grew up in New England, attended Harvard University, and currently lives with her family in the Pacific Northwest.

Scott Bonner is the director - and only full-time librarian - of the Ferguson Municipal Public Library in Ferguson, MO. His efforts to keep the library open as a peaceful community oasis during the recent unrest in Ferguson made national news, and he was profiled in NPR, Library Journal, and other media outlets.

We're planning a fun-filled, information-packed program for the 2015 RILA Conference, and we can't wait to see you there! Whether you're from the public, academic, school, or special library world, the RILA Conference is sure to have a variety of innovative, dynamic programs that strike your interest.

As always, we'd like to thank our wonderful vendors for generously sponsoring our annual conference. We couldn't do it without their support.

We hope to see you all in Newport this May - watch for registration to open in late March.   

The Rhode Island Library Association  is pleased to announce that Money Smart Week - RI will be held April 18-25, 2015.  During Money Smart Week, libraries of all types partner with community groups, financial institutions, government agencies, educational organizations, and other experts, to help consumers learn to better manage and understand their personal finances.   Money Smart Week's goal is to provide communities informational, objective, and authoritative programs about issues surrounding financial literacy.  Speakers should volunteer their time without cost and without expectation of sales or solicitation.  Some organizations offer bilingual resources or speakers.  

• Did you know that local credit unions will do community outreach on financial topics?

• Government agencies, like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, provide resource materials for libraries, veterans/service member families, older Americans, students, and community and credit unions.

• The Department of Labor and Training holds great workshops on job searching.

• The Rhode Island Housing Authority has programs on affordable mortgages and consumer counseling.

• The Rhode Island Student Loan Authority has information about saving, budgeting, and spending for students and parents.  

• Junior Achievement of RI has financial literacy and entrepreneurship curriculums for K-12 audiences.  Their volunteers will come into your library ready to teach an after school program!

• The  Office of the General Treasurer is a partner that offers several financial literacy workshops and programs.  

• Looking for more?  Open Doors RI,  Tri-Town Community Action Agency, Sojourner House, Amos House,  RI Society of CPAs, all have speakers and programs geared towards financial literacy and education.   

Why should you contact RILA?

• We would like to know if you are planning, or have scheduled, any "money smart" events for April 18-25, 2015.  If you have planned a financial literacy program in the past, or know of a possible speaker in your community consider reaching out to them for April as part of  National Financial Literacy Awareness Month.  

• If you are willing to host a MSW session at your library, but would like suggestions on speakers and programs, reach out to us!

For marketing and promotional purposes, we would like to get a complete list of all financial programs on our event calendar by February 17, 2015.  In the coming months, RILA will be releasing more information about events, keep an eye on The RILA Bulletin, the listserv, our website and Facebook page.   

Thank you, on behalf of RILA,

Julie A. Decesare   jdecesa1@providence.edu                      

Chris Wallace Goldstein cgoldstein@woonsocketlibrary.org                      

Rachael Juskuv  rachael@scituatelibrary.org 

"A fragment of a musical score, hand-written and autographed by  acclaim choral composer Morten Lauridsen,  has fetched $741 on eBay to benefit the Knight Memorial Library in the Elmwood section of Providence. The previous record for a Lauridsen autograph was $650." full story here. 

After 20+ years of service, Pat Crawford retired from her post as Head of Borrower Services on December 31.  Pat began her career at Bryant in a temporary position and quickly worked her way up through the ranks, consistently proving her value along the way.  She is on to new horizons and is enjoying some leisure time before embarking on her next adventure.  We wish her well and thank her for her many contributions to Bryant University. 

As of January 1, Bill Doughty was promoted to the new position of Borrower Services Librarian.  Bill earned his MLIS from University of Wisconsin Milwaukee in 2012 and is ready to put his many talents to use in this new department coordinator role.  Bill has been a key member of the Krupp Library staff for many years, and is very deserving of this advancement. 

We welcome two more additions to the Krupp Library staff this month.  Rachael Juskuv is a new part-time Public Services Librarian, a hybrid position that has responsibility for both Borrower Services and Research & Instruction operations.  Rachael brings a diverse array of experience to Bryant and will balance her Public Services role with her duties as North Scituate Public Library's Head of Reference and RILA's Public Relations Committee Chair. 

Jessie M. Smith Memorial Library

The Jesse M. Smith Memorial Library, 100 Tinkham Lane, Harrisville, hosts a "Frozen" theme program on Saturday, January 31 from 1 to 3 pm at the library. This drop-in event is interactive with games and activities featuring events and characters from the movie!  All are welcome!    

Rhode Island College

The James P. Adams Library at Rhode Island College was invited by the National Library of Medicine to host a travelling exhibit, Pictures of Nursing: the Zwerdling Postcard Collection.  The exhibit which is comprised of 6 panels describing the Zwerdling Collection, will run from January 20th to February 28th  in the lobby of Adams Library.  An opening reception will be held on January 28th from 3:30 to 5:30. The reception will also be a celebration of the 45th anniversary of Nursing Education at Rhode Island College. Related materials will also be exhibited.  All are welcome!      

 Carla Weiss, Associate Professor, Collection Development & Reference Librarian, and the Interim Head of the Curriculum Resources Center at the James P. Adams Library, Rhode Island College, retired on December 31, 2014.  Carla worked at the James P. Adams Library for 23 years.  Before that she spent 14 years at the Cornell University Library.  Carla will remain involved with RILA as the co-chair of the Intellectual Freedom Committee.  She can now be reached via email at: cmweiss8@gmail.com     

Cranston Public Library

Cranston Public Library recently received $1000 Legislative grant from state Rep. Robert Jacquard for local history & genealogy materials. 

RILA

Call to Action! Participate in RI Library Legislative Day!

Join the Rhode Island Library Association on Tuesday, February 10 from 2:30-4:30pm for RI Library Legislative Awareness Day in the  State House Rotunda.  There is strength in numbers and a strong presence from the library community will demonstrate the many important resources available across the state.  Tell your story!  Be there to meet and greet your legislators and take the opportunity to extol the virtues of library services in RI and your neighborhood. Ask questions, address issues, and rally support with a captive audience of legislators and State House staffers.  RILA will be joined by other library organizations to showcase our ongoing work.  All library staff, trustees, and friends are welcome!  

Library organization information tables will be located on the second floor of the RI State House Rotunda.  If your statewide RI Library organization would like a table in the rotunda for the event, or if you have any questions, please email RILA Legislative Action Co-chair, Eileen Dyer, at  eadyer@gmail.com.

Mark your calendars for the NETSL 2015 Annual Spring Conference

   When: Friday, April 10, 2015
   Where: College of Holy Cross, Worcester, MA

Watch the conference website: http://netsl.wordpress.com/2015/01/05/netsl-2015-conference/

Registration opens in early February.

More information to come in the next few weeks!

Crossing the Threshold: Real Life Applications of the ACRL Framework NELIG Annual Program, June 12, 2015 @ Bryant University 

Call for Proposals

The New England Library Instruction Group (NELIG), an interest group of ACRL New England, requests breakout session proposals for its Annual Program entitled "Crossing the Threshold: Real Life Applications of the ACRL Framework" to be held at Bryant University, in Smithfield, RI, on Friday, June 12, 2015.  This year's program will explore practical applications of the ACRL's proposed Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education.

Each presenter should plan on speaking 30-35 minutes with an additional 10-15 minutes for question and discussion (45 minutes total). We are looking for individual, group, or panel presentations by librarians and/or their collaborative colleagues. Interactive workshops involving computers and hands-on activities will also be considered.

NELIG encourages librarians with any amount of experience to submit a proposal and we are dedicated to providing opportunities for librarians to learn practical ideas from one another. Please feel free to email us if you have any questions about presenting.

• Proposal topics may include but are not limited to the following:
• Applying threshold concepts in the classroom
• Combining the framework with the standards
• Bringing the framework into campus-wide conversations
• Assessing learning outcomes
• Using the framework in research activities and assignments

Proposal are due March 2, 2015 and may be submitted below. 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/153oxyFMFYfP16ACXXALTH5dNoIP1HC8RUpFAauAyQ40/viewform 

Northeast Popular/American Culture Association Call for Papers:

Libraries, Archives, Museums, and Collections area

The Libraries, Archives, Museums, and Collections area of the New England Popular/American Culture Association welcomes paper submissions from librarians, archivists, curators, graduate students, faculty, collectors, writers, patrons, and researchers of popular culture and information settings of all types.

We encourage panel proposals, as well as, individual submissions.  For information about proposal submission and content, visit our Fall 2015 Conference page: https://nepca.wordpress.com/fall-conference/ 

NEPCA's 2015 fall conference will be held on the campus of Colby-Sawyer College (New London, NH) the weekend of October 30-31, 2015. The deadline for proposals is June 15, 2015.  Some suggested topics:

• Histories and profiles of museums, archives, libraries, and other popular culture resources.

• Intellectual freedom or cultural sensitivity issues related to popular culture resources.

• Book clubs and reading groups, city- or campus-wide reading programs.

• Collection building and popular culture resources.

• Organization and description of popular culture resources.

• New media formats and popular culture in libraries, archives, or museums.

• New media, digital literacies, content management systems, access and discovery systems, websites (such as Wikipedia, YouTube, Google, Amazon, eBay, etc.) and their impact on libraries and popular culture collections.

• The role of public libraries in natural disasters and post-disaster community rebuilding.

• Public libraries and librarians supporting programming and outreach around popular culture resources (graphic novels, streaming video, etc.)

• Other topics welcome!!!

Area Chair: Julie A. DeCesare, Providence College

Area: Libraries, Archives, Museums and Collections

E-mail:jdecesa1@providence.edu 

Fall 2015 Conference website:https://nepca.wordpress.com/fall-conference/  

Vermont Library Conference 

Sign up to present at the fourth annual Academic Library Show & Tell Sessions:  Pecha Kucha @ the Vermont Library Conference.  

WHO:
People who want to present a topic in pecha kucha format.  Topics?  Think fun, useful, entertaining and of interest to people who work in academic libraries. 
This is a multiple-speaker event. 

WHEN & WHERE:
May 19, 2015, Vermont Library Conference, Champlain College, Burlington, Vermont

HOW:
The format:  your presentation will consist of 20 powerpoint slides, with each slide allotted 20 seconds for a total of 6 minutes and 40 seconds.
After all the presentations are completed, there will be time left at the end for discussion and questions.
Please email Stacey Knight at sknight3@smcvt.eduwith your presentation idea by February 6, 2015.  

MORE:
There are many excellent tips for creating a pecha kucha. To find them just search the web!   

Need more help figuring out the format?  Email or call us. 

Sincerely, 

Your pecha kucha co-hosts