COLA Sweethearts

2009
Melody Allen - children’s library services and literature specialist extraordinaire. Who ya gonna call, when you need advice? Children’s librarians need look no farther than Melody Allen, who retired from her position at the Office of Library and Information Services in September 2008. Melody brought them all together with an online message list for questions and shared expertise. Working cooperatively with Melody’s leadership, children’s librarians planned and carried out wonderful summer reading programs for children, brought “Mother Goose” programming to Rhode Island for preschool children, created and distributed Getting Ready for Kindergarten calendars (in English and Spanish) to parents, and established the Rhode Island Children’s Book Award (voted annually by kids statewide through their libraries). This is only a small sample of her many achievements and participation in cooperative efforts over the past 30 years, which also included RI Kids Count, Leap Into Literature (with the Old Stone Bank), and the Rhode Island Festival of Children’s Books and Authors, to name but a few. Her many honors also tell the story of her leadership—locally, regionally and nationally. Melody served on the national Caldecott Award Committee and the Globe-Horn Book Awards Committee. In 2008 she received the Emerson Greenaway Award from the New England Library Association, and a Life-Time Achievement Award from the Rhode Island Library Association. This is not the end of the story, however. Melody remains active in library education, teaching at the Graduate School of Library and Information Studies at the University of Rhode Island.

2008
Peter L. Lewiss - Representative Lewiss has demonstrated his strong commitment to Rhode Island libraries during his ten-year tenure in the General Assembly.  As Chair of the Karla Harry Commission on Libraries, created to conduct a comprehensive look at the role and function of all types of libraries throughout Rhode Island, he oversaw SurfRI, the six-week trial website sampling of more than 40 informational databases that all Rhode Islanders could use from home, work, school, or their local public library.  During the 2007 legislative session, Rep. Lewiss was the prime sponsor of H5589, to create and maintain a statewide library catalog, providing access to online databases with state funding.  In 2004 he was the prime sponsor of legislation which increased the state's share of support to local public libraries.  According to Kathryn Taylor, Executive Director of the Westerly Public Library, "Representative Lewiss has been an Incorporator of the Memorial and Library Association of Westerly for 11 years.  He is not only an advocate, but a strong financial supporter as well... " Two years ago, the Chamber of Commerce invited artists from across Rhode Island to decorate rocking chairs that would be placed in local Westerly businesses. Peter Lewiss sponsored the chair that came to the Westerly Library.  Some people were concerned that the chair might offend Peter because it was decorated with the titles of banned books.  Peter loved the chair, which is on loan to the library.  So on your next visit to the Westerly Public Library, be sure to rock and read in Peter's chair.

2007
Anne Parent - Immediate past Rhode Island Chief of  Library Services, Anne also a recent recipient of the University of Rhode Island’s Graduate Library School’s Distinguished Alumna of the Year award. Anne comes by both honors because of her hard work and dedication to the profession, her ability to be forward-thinking, and her approachability.  (from Anne’s acceptance) "... There’s an old political adage that can apply well to COLA: If you have the facts on your side, hammer the facts. If you have the law on your side, hammer the law. If you have neither the facts nor the law, hammer the table.  The biggest plus COLA has going for us is that we represent citizens, real people on the street, who care deeply about libraries and are willing to fight for them.  As we face the need to advocate long and hard in coming months, I’d like to share with you my very favorite political process quote from Margaret Mead, one that is so appropriate that COLA might consider adopting it as its motto:  Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." 

2006
 Joan Ress Reeves with Senator Rhoda PerryRhoda Perry, Rhode Island State Senator.  Since she became a state senator in the early 90’s, Rhoda has been a great friend to libraries in the General Assembly, introducing and supporting funding initiatives that help rank Rhode Island libraries among those with the highest level of state support in the country. She has introduced legislation that protests the incursion into the privacy of library records created by the Patriot Act, and has never been afraid to take a stand to support civil rights, open government, and campaign reform.

2005
Elizabeth H. Roberts, Rhode Island State Senator.   Senator Roberts has consistently crusaded for the highest level of library service to the state's broad-based constituency. This year Senator Roberts and her colleagues Rhoda E. Perry, Teresa Paiva Weed, and June N. Gibbs introduced and shepherded legislation to create a special legislative commission to study the current strengths and weaknesses of library service in Rhode Island and to develop a proposal to improve all types of libraries. Senator Roberts notes: "Effective libraries help bridge the digital divide between those who have access to technology and those who do not. Many new immigrants rely on libraries as their introduction to the country and use the library to learn English and to gain information about jobs and education. Plus, a growing number of senior citizens also use libraries for social interaction, health information, and - because many are on a fixed income - for free information and programs. Libraries help residents connect with the past as well as the modern world around us. Strong library systems support a successful education system, which leads to a better-educated workforce and contributes to a good quality of life."

2004
Herman Rose has been a sweetheart to libraries for many many years, founding and chairing a statewide grass-roots library support group called Citizens for Rhode Island Libraries (CRIL).  This was COLA's predecessor, designed to follow up on recommendations from the first Governor's Conference on Libraries and Information Services, in preparation for the first White House Conference in 1979.  Herman became COLA's first Vice-Chair, and continued to serve libraries as a member of COLA's Board for many years.
On his birthday, Herman takes kids to a bookstore and invites each of them to choose a book, which he buys for them.  That's typical of his generosity - it's personal and focused on his beliefs.
Herman has established a fund at the Rhode Island Foundation called ADDD (Archives, Documents, Display and Dissemination) that provides matching funds for library public relations.  He also volunteers his time, and could be found, several times a week, helping kids and adults at the Rochambeau Branch of the Providence Public Library learn to use computers and the Internet.  To quote Sarah Weed, Branch Librarian at Rochambeau:  "Herman is a friend to librarians, in the most personal way... He's a good person to reflect with.  He's kind.  He feels for you, and he cares about library patrons and the library system.  Herman is a blessing."

2003
Elizabeth M. Dennigan, Rhode Island State Representative - In recognition of her work on behalf of libraries, most notably

Representative Dennigan also sponsored legislation to fund the Public Library Construction Reimbursement Program.

2002
Alan Axelrod - He worked hard for many years on the COLA Board, serving in virtually every Board position.  During his tenure as Chair of the Board, Allen initiated "Crisis Alerts" to mobilize COLA members to talk to their senators and representatives about timely issues vital to libraries.  One of these efforts helped secure a vital increase in delivery services and public library funding.

2001
Joan Ress Reeves - A founding member of COLA, Joan represents libraries wherever she goes.  She was honored for her many years of work for COLA and on behalf of libraries everywhere, but especially in Rhode Island.

2000
Barbara Weaver