Come to the inaugural meeting of the Urban Libraries Roundtable (ULRT) to connect with your colleagues and help chart the course of a new OLIS community of practice. The goal is to create a space where the staff who work in urban libraries can connect and discuss challenges, opportunities, best practices and current trends in the field – learning from one another or from other experts.

We will learn about Rhode Island’s response to the opioid epidemic and provide an opportunity to explore how libraries can support their communities with information and online resources. Jennifer Koziol, Drug Overdose Prevention Program Manager, RI Department of Health, will speak about Governor Raimondo’s initiatives for overdose prevention and intervention followed by a Q&A. In addition, libraries who hosted staff training for the administration of naloxone will share outcomes from their training.

Next, Danielle Margarida, OLIS Youth Services Coordinator, will give a short presentation how libraries can collaborate with the RI Department of Education on its Summer Food Service Program. The West Warwick and Cranston Public libraries will share their experiences with the summer meals program.

We will look ahead and discuss future programming for the ULRT. This is a member driven community of practice, so come with your ideas about the direction of the ULRT!