Federal LSTA funds are used in Rhode Island to . . .

• Sustain and implement literacy programs for families, adults and children, such as . . .
  • The Rhode Island Family Literacy Initiative, a collaboration of six public libraries statewide that provides first-step English for Speakers of Other Languages literacy programs. These programs bring family members together as co-learners in a library setting in their own neighborhoods. Parents are encouraged to take a leadership role in promoting literacy to their children. See RIFLI
  • The Literacy Volunteers of America - Kent County, based at Coventry Public Library, which helps Adult Basic Education and English as a Second Language learners improve literacy skills through one-to-one volunteer tutoring. See LVA-Coventry Public Library
  • The “Summer Reading” programs for children and teens. See Summer Reading Program
• Provide services to Rhode Island residents with disabilities, such as . . .
  • Talking Books Plus, the Rhode Island Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, which functions as a public library for eligible persons with disabilities (part of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped). See TBPlus Talking Books Plus also connects readers with materials in other formats, such as
    • Braille materials, through the Perkins Institute in Boston
    • Descriptive videos, through the Lincoln (RI) Public Library
    • Large Print books, through the East Providence Public Library
    • State government documents in alternative formats, provided through an agreement with TechACCESS of Rhode Island
  • A compendium of disability resources for residents and libraries. See Disability Resources update
  • Compile information and provide training to staff in all Rhode Island libraries in ways to improve services to residents with disabilities. See Library Staff Resources update?
• Create gateways to libraries and library resources by . . .
  • Giving librarians the tools to provide residents with access to millions of books and magazine and journal articles from libraries statewide and worldwide through a database subscription service, interlibrary loan, and library-to-library delivery. See Resource Sharing
  • Maintaining links to all Rhode Island libraries and their catalogs. See RI Libraries
• Create gateways to government information through web sites by . . .
  • Developing and continuously updating the OLIS web site with links to current legislative news and resources and information about government. See
    • Legislative News and Updates (state and federal) update
    • RI Government INFO
    • RI Laws Relating to Libraries
    • LSTA Reauthorizations
  • Supporting a state portal to government services and information, a product of a collaborative venture between state government and business (New England Interactive). See RI.gov
• Give grants to enable libraries to expand the scope of resources provided to residents
  • LORI Grants fund projects that contribute to resource sharing among Rhode Island libraries, especially cooperative projects involving more than one library, and to projects that address sharing resources among different types of libraries. See LORI Grants
• Assure that staff in Rhode Island libraries have access to professional resources to improve their services and programs for residents by . . .
  • Developing, organizing and presenting a Continuing Education curriculum for library staff and their governing authorities in all types of libraries. See CE
  • Developing and staffing a professional Library so that the staff in all Rhode Island libraries have access to information about and current practices, future trends, and research in library science, which enables them to provide better service to residents. See OLIS Library