Official State of Rhode Island website

State of Rhode Island Office of Library & Information Services An agency of the Department of Administration

Questions? 

Contact Talking Books Staff at (401) 574-9310 or email us at talking.books@olis.ri.gov.

You can also contact:

Alicia Waters
Library Services Coordinator
alicia.waters@olis.ri.gov

Neshmayda Calderon
Information Services Technician: Talking Books
neshmayda.calderon@olis.ri.gov

Kelley Lima
Information Services Technician: LORI Services
kelley.lima@olis.ri.gov

Talking Times, Spring 2025 - Section 1

 

Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) 

On March 14th , Federal Executive Order #14238 was issued. The  order called for the elimination of several small federal  government agencies, including the Institute of Museum and  Library Services, IMLS, which provides the Office of Library and  Information Services, OLIS with 45% of its funding for programs  and staff, including the Talking Books Library. Please rest assured  that OLIS is monitoring developments and working to ensure that  services and programs continue. In case of any changes, the RI Talking Books Library will inform its members via email, blog, newsletter, website, and U.S mail. For the most up-to-date information, please visit the “March 14 Executive Order on IMLS”.

RI Summer Reading Program

This summer, dive into books, puzzles, and games at your local library with Level Up at Your Library! Sponsored by OLIS, this program is designed for all ages. The exciting program explores the power of play, whether you're tackling STEM challenges, learning chess, or coding video games. Many libraries offer an online reading tracker and mobile app to make participation easy.  Libraries aren’t just for knowledge-they’re for fun! Visit your library and level up your summer!

OLIS Summer Reading

You can also enjoy Where’s Gordon? This summer, he’s playing hide-and-seek in libraries all over the state! Pick up a passport at a participating library and start your scavenger hunt. Visit 25 or more libraries to complete your adventure, and you’ll score a prize plus a chance to win a Gordon stuffie in the Grand Prize Raffle. The fun kicks off on June 24th, so get ready, readers— Gordon can’t wait to see you at the library! The Summer Reading Program encourages kids and teens to read for fun while strengthening their literacy skills over the summer. Adults can join in too-discovering new genres, pursuing interests, and setting an example for young readers. This program is made possible by OLIS with funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Summer Reading Program

The National Library Service, NLS is pleased to announce its third Summer Reading Program, which will run from Monday, June 16, through Friday, August 15, 2025. This program will run with the RI Summer Reading Program: Level Up at Your Library.