The Office of Library and Information Services offers consultation services to children's services librarians in the areas of collection development, programming, services, facilities, policies, planning and evaluation. OLIS supports children's library services by providing continuing education for librarians and facilitating information sharing and reading promotion activities. OLIS is a pro-active advocate for children and library services for children and links with other agencies for information sharing, cooperative projects and school/public library cooperation. OLIS staff also participate in state, regional and national organizations that focus on library services for children.

Planning

• Children's Services Advisory Council: seven member group advises the Office of Library and Information Services on children's library services. The goals of the Council are threefold:
  
  1. To work collaboratively with parents, caregivers, early childhood providers and related agencies to contribute to the language development and emergent literacy of children from birth through grade 3
  2. To develop in balance both "high tech" and "high touch" skills for librarians and services for families
  3. To adapt and initiate services to meet the needs of three underserved populations - children with disabilities, children with a first language other than English, and children who are homeschooled

Continuing Education

• Children's Services Orientation Packet
• OLIS Continuing Education offerings
• Trainer or sponsor covering topics such as Native American stories and environmental activities, teaching library skills using new technologies, music and movement for preschoolers, story hours, public relations, grantwriting, long-range planning, public access microcomputers, LORI/Internet presentations for other groups
• Professional Collection for children's services librarians available through the OLIS Library
  

Reading Promotion Projects

• Planning, grantwriting, coordination, implementation, evaluation
• Summer Reading Program: cooperative effort among Rhode Island public libraries to promote reading during the summer school vacation
• Performers Showcase: annual audition of performers for Summer Reading Program and library programs
• Rhode Island Children's Book Award: facilitates and advises award selection for children in grades 3 to 6. Award is sponsored by the Rhode Island Library Association, the Rhode Island Educational Media Association, and the State Council of the International Reading Association

Collection Development

• Annual Mock Caldecott Award
• Annual Mock Newbery Award
• Annual Mock Sibert Award

Information Sharing

• Sharing Sessions
• Children's SIG (electronic discussion group, for library staff only)
  To join the children's SIG, contact Melody Allen