COLA, The Rhode Island Coalition of Library Advocates, invites the community to the Association’s Annual Meeting on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. in the State Room of the Rhode Island State House. Guest speakers are author/librarians Keith Stavely and Kathleen Fitzgerald, who will speak about their recently published book America’s Founding Food: The Story of New England Cooking.

The Sweetheart of the Year Award will be presented to RI State Senator Rhoda Perry (D, Dist. 3, Providence) for her commitment to the highest level of library service to the State’s broad-based constituency.

Four William E. Reeves Friends Recognition Awards will be presented to library friends groups for excellence in fundraising (Mount Pleasant Branch), outreach (Tiverton Libraries), innovative programs (North Kingstown Free Library), and Educational/Social promotion (East Smithfield Public Library). The Friends of Rochambeau Branch, Providence Public Library will be recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award for consistent excellence in fundraising and programming.

The William Bergeron Public Library Scholarship will be awarded to Diane Simmons, who is working at the Coventry Public Library while attending the URI Graduate School of Library and Information Studies.

Linda Aldrich School Media Scholarships will be awarded to Pawtucket resident Denise Ledoux and Tiverton resident Carol Herrmann, both students at the URI Graduate School of Library and Information Studies.

The public is invited, free of charge. For additional information contact the COLA Annual Meeting Chair at (401) 521-5965; tobyross@cox.net.

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COLA, The Rhode Island Coalition of Library Advocates, is a citizen support group whose mission is to improve the quality life for all Rhode Islanders by supporting libraries of all kinds. COLA’s work includes advocacy, education, public awareness, and the encouragement of local library-support groups. COLA is represented on the Governor’s Library Board.