[July 12, 2007] In the waning days of the Senate session just ended, four reappointments and two new appointments to the Library Board of Rhode Island were approved. With great pleasure, we welcome Phyllis Humphrey and Shirley Long to the Board and welcome back Regina A. Connor, Joan Ress Reeves, Rose Ellen A. Reynolds and Leslie Bennet McDonough. These long overdue actions have substantially restored the Board.

Of course, with the joy of two new appointees comes the sadness of two farewells. Phyllis ascends to the seat of Donna Good, whose term had expired December 31, 2004; Shirley to that of Deborah Barchi, whose term had expired on December 31, 2005. We will miss Donna and Debbie as much as we will revel in having Shirley and Phyllis aboard. Their long tenure and exceptional patience has been matched only by the value they brought to the board in their wide experience, thoughtful participation, and valued perspectives. Thank you Debbie and Donna.

The Library Board of Rhode Island is established in RIGL 29-3.1, and is responsible for research, planning and development of library service in the state, as well as the distribution of state and federal funds appropriated for that purpose. Fifteen board members are appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the senate to represent 11 categories of library services and their users. The commissioner for elementary and secondary education and the commissioner for higher education serve as ex-officio members.

New members

Phyllis Humphrey is a graduate of URI’s GSLIS and has been a librarian since 1992 at the West Bay Christian Academy, Cranston Public Library, Henry Barnard School and currently in the East Greenwich School Department. Phyllis has also been a Language Arts Teacher, Curriculum Coordinator, and Director of Technology Training for the East Greenwich Schools. She has been a member of RIEMA’s Executive Board, of RILA, the International Reading Association and the Rhode Island Writing Consortium. Phyllis has been a part of the RI School library Standards effort and the RI Teachers in Technology Institute and is an I-Plan Reviewer for the RI Department of Education. Phyllis has been appointed to the LIBRI as a representative of “school library media specialists.”

Shirley Long has been director of the South Kingstown Public Library since 2004. Prior to her tenure there, she was a mainstay of the Providence Public Library. Joining the staff as a reference librarian, Shirley rose to be Head of Shared Resources, Branch Librarian at Washington Park, Chief of Branches, Chief of Adult Services, and Assistant Director, first of Adult Services, then of Central Library Services. Shirley’s MLS is from Kansas State University. She has been very active in Rhode Island’s multitype library cooperation efforts, representing Providence Public Library at CRIARL, serving on OLIS’ LORI Committee and taking an active role in the LibFutures database working group. Shirley is currently also treasurer of Ocean State Libraries. Shirley joins the LiBRI representing “librarians from large or medium public libraries”.

Stay tuned to the OLIS’ web page for news about LiBRI and the RI library world. Visit the LiBRI web page for more information about the Board.