Library as a Third Space: A Collaboration with Providence High School Librarians and Brown University
Date: Saturday, May 24, 2025
Time: 2:30 p.m.
Location: Willis Reading Room, John Hay Library, 20 Prospect St., Providence
Zoom link to attend online: https://bit.ly/library-forum
Video of the Forum
The Fund for the Education of the Children of Providence
Following Brown’s 2006 Slavery and Justice Report, initiated by President Ruth J. Simmons, the University committed ten million dollars to establish The Fund for the Education of Children of Providence endowment. According to President Simmons:
One of the clearest messages in the Slavery and Justice Report is that institutions of higher education must take a greater interest in the health of their local communities, especially Kindergarten through 12th-grade education. Lack of access to a good education, particularly for urban schoolchildren, is one of the most pervasive and pernicious social problems of our time. Colleges and universities are uniquely able to improve the quality of urban schools. Brown is committed to undertaking that work.
Library Grant
In 2022, the Fund approved a three-year grant to the Brown University Library to partner with Providence Public School District high school librarians to enhance the spaces, collections, and programmatic offerings at all of the Providence public high school libraries.
Commencement Forum
Join us for a Commencement forum to learn about the project’s origins, programming, and future on Saturday, May 24, 2025 at 2:30 p.m. in the Willis Reading Room of the John Hay Library. The panel discussion will feature three of the Providence Public School librarians involved in the project: Alyson Catalan, English Department Teacher Leader at Classical High School; Lenwood Thompson III, Director of Advanced Academics for Providence Public Schools; and Kimberly Yeaw, Library Media Specialist at Providence Career and Technical Academy. Their discussion will be moderated by Kelly Clifton, Head of Library Community Engagement at the Brown University Library and coordinator of the grant.
Free and open to the public. In person and on Zoom.
Registration
Please register to attend on Zoom. (Scroll to the bottom of the calendar entry to register.)
Participants
Alyson Catalan
Alyson has been a dedicated educator in the Providence Public School District since beginning her teaching career with Teach For America in 2014. Currently serving as the English Department Teacher Leader at Classical High School, Alyson holds two Master’s Degrees in Special Education and English Language Learning. She is deeply passionate about meeting each student’s needs and empowering them to reach their fullest potential.
Lenwood Thompson III
Lenwood Thompson III, the Director of Advanced Academics for the Providence Public School District, brings 17 years of experience in education to his leadership role. A native of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Mr. Thompson is the proud son of an educator and deeply believes that teaching — whether in the classroom or the library — is one of the most noble professions. His teaching journey has spanned Kindergarten through eighth grade, and he has also served as both an elementary and middle school administrator. This rich experience informs his commitment to supporting high-quality instruction and equitable access to academic opportunities for all students.
In his current role, Mr. Thompson oversees a range of advanced academic courses and initiatives and serves as the district administrator for all school libraries. He provides professional development, programming support, and critical resources to the dedicated librarians of Providence Public Schools. Under his leadership, the district has expanded literacy-focused initiatives, including the introduction of the Battle of the Books — an engaging quiz bowl competition designed to promote reading, collaboration, and creative thinking among students. Mr. Thompson’s vision and advocacy continue to shape a strong academic culture centered around literacy and excellence.
Kimberly Yeaw
Kim has been an educator for 30 years, a Secondary Mathematics teacher for 14 years, and a School Library Media Specialist at Providence Career and Technical Academy for the last 16 years. As a librarian, Kim is trained as an instructional coach to work with teachers to improve their practice and take on leadership roles as the Technology Support Teacher and the Electives Department Lead. Kim’s highest achievement has been earning the School Librarian of the Year for the State of Rhode Island in the 2023 – 2024 school year.
Kim believes the library is the heart of the school, where students can find a comfortable, safe environment to learn, explore, discover, collaborate, and cultivate relationships.
Kelly Clifton – Moderator
Kelly Clifton is the Head of Library Community Engagement at Brown University Library. She is an avid reader, an advocate for access, and a lifelong library patron. She is introducing her two young children to the joy of libraries by exploring libraries in every city they visit.
The Library’s community engagement programming strives to build connections and cultivate partnerships with colleagues in K-12 schools, public libraries, archives, and Rhode Island-based literacy-adjacent community organizations, supporting their work with students and local communities. Kelly oversees this work and manages relationships with partners.