[May 4, 2007] Sheila Carlson, the Office of Library and Information Services' technical wizard and e-rate expert, has retired after 28 years of service to the State of Rhode Island and the library community. She began working at the Department of State Library Services (now OLIS) in 1979, and has served in many capacities during her tenure there and at OLIS. An early adopter of computer technology and the Internet, Sheila was instrumental in bringing email services to Rhode Island librarians through OLIS in the early 1990s and was one of the principal architects of the Library of Rhode Island (LORI) website, which she guided from its original launch to its current iteration as the OLIS website. Sheila worked in Network Services for many years and has assisted countless libraries in navigating the complex process of applying for e-rate discounts.

Sheila, who is originally from Pawtucket, earned her undergraduate degree at the University of California in San Diego and her MLS at the University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Library and Information Studies. She looks forward to having more time to pursue favorite activities such as gardening, kayaking and travel, but plans on remaining involved and active in the world of libraries.

Enjoy your retirement, Sheila - OLIS and the library community will miss your expertise and quiet humor!