Kingston, RI
April 16, 2016

Librarian Heidi Blais accepted the “Library of the Year” award for Cranston High School East at the URI Graduate School of Library and Information Studies Annual Gathering on April 16, 2016. This honor is awarded to a Rhode Island Library that exemplifies innovation and service, and contributes in exceptional ways to its community and the state. Senator Jack Reed, and URI Deans, Faculty, and students, as well as fellow Rhode Island librarians celebrated Blais’ achievement.

Heidi Blais was introduced by Dr. Cheryl McCarthy, Professor and School Library Media Coordinator for GSLIS. Dr. McCarthy highlighted a number of Blais’ accomplishments, from her student volunteer program to partnerships with ESL teachers. While Blais has taught in Cranston for twenty years, she has been at Cranston High School East for the last five, and is credited with transforming the library and the school through her practice. In addition to this award, Blais was also awarded Teacher of the Year for the Cranston School Department in 2014. Congratulations to Librarian Heidi Blais and Cranston High School East for winning “Library of the Year”!

University of Rhode Island
Graduate School of Library and Information Studies