Five Questions With: Karisa Tashjian

KARISA TASHJIAN is director of education at the Providence Public Library. / COURTESY PROVIDENCE PUBLIC LIBRARY
KARISA TASHJIAN is director of education at the Providence Public Library. / COURTESY PROVIDENCE PUBLIC LIBRARY

Karisa Tashjian joined the Providence Public Library in 2004 and is now the director of education. She is passionate about the important role libraries play in our communities.

PBN: How did Providence Public Library first learn about Lawyers in the Library, an opportunity for community members who may not be able to afford legal representation to meet with lawyers from Roger Williams University School of Law?

TASHJIAN: Eliza Vorenberg, director of the Pro Bono Collaborative at Roger Williams University School of Law, reached out about partnering with Providence Public Library. Vorenberg had heard of some related efforts across the country and we quickly found an area of mutual interest. The PBC has an extensive network of pro bono attorneys, some of whom are RWU Law alumni, whom they call on for pro bono work. They also have law students eager to gain real-world experience and PPL has many low-income patrons who may have unmet legal needs. This is how Lawyers in the Library was born and we were happy to be able to include Rhode Island Legal Services Inc. and the Rhode Island Center for Justice as partners as well.

PBN: Why did the library choose to offer this as a service to its patrons and the greater community?

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TASHJIAN: PPL is committed to providing the highest-quality, highest-impact services to meet the changing needs of our community. Our Strategic Plan “Think Again” challenges us to be “Providence’s best collaborator” and make free resources and expertise available so we can make a difference for our patrons. We are offering more services and educational series that members of the community have come to count on. Other examples of similar initiatives include our Learning Lounges, where adults can get education and employment support, and our Community Connectors program, in partnership with the Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless and House of Hope, where people can get help with housing and access to social services.

PBN: What do you hope those who interact with the lawyers will take away from the experience?

TASHJIAN: Our greatest hope is that participants get the information and support they need to solve a problem, take a next step, and feel empowered. It’s amazing to have a partner like RWU that is so community-minded.

PBN: Why does the PPL believe it is important to inform the greater community about the nation’s current events and their impact on local matters?

TASHJIAN: As a center for culture and education, free and open to all in our community, the library is focused on providing the public with information and opportunities to gather, explore, learn and grow. We are all fortunate to live in an open, democratic society where everyone has not only the right, but the duty, to be informed in order to participate in and make decisions that impact everyone in our society. In this way, the library plays a central role in our community’s function and evolution.

PBN: The schedule shows availability with these lawyers the fourth Monday of every month. If successful, will this program be extended?

TASHJIAN: We decided to start with piloting five workshops and see how that goes. In January, we offered “Understanding SSI and SSDI Disability Benefits”; in February: “Immigrant Family’s and Children’s Immigration Rights”; in March: “Tenant’s Rights”; April 24: “Workers’/Employees’ Rights,”; and on May 22: “Special Education Law.”

The ultimate goal is to embed this service at PPL as an ongoing program and we are currently collecting feedback on how to structure the service. More information is available HERE.

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