2024 -- H 7415

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF DR. DONNA LOUISE GILTON

     Introduced By: Representatives McEntee, Fogarty, Tanzi, Spears, Shekarchi,
Blazejewski, Chippendale, Morales, Dawson, and Noret

     Date Introduced: February 01, 2024

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, It is with deep sadness that this House has learned of the passing of Donna

Louise Gilton, Professor Emerita at the University of Rhode Island; and

     WHEREAS, Professor Gilton earned a Bachelor’s degree in elementary education and

history, a Masters of Library Science from Simmons College, and a Ph.D. in Library Science

from the University of Pittsburgh; and

     WHEREAS, Professor Gilton worked as a reference librarian for many years at Boston

Public Library, Belize Teachers College, Western Kentucky State University and Pennsylvania

State University; and

     WHEREAS, Professor Gilton served for 23 years as a professor at the Graduate School

of Library and Information Studies at the University of Rhode Island; and

     WHEREAS, Professor Gilton published extensively in peer-reviewed journals on

information literacy, multiculturalism, diversity and business reference; and

     WHEREAS, Professor Gilton was the author of two books on multicultural children’s

literature and lifelong learning in libraries; and

      WHEREAS, Professor Gilton was a member of the American Library Association for 37

years and was a member of the Rhode Island Library Association; and

     WHEREAS, Professor Gilton was a co-founder of Cornucopia of Rhode Island: a Library

Community of Color in 2005; and

     WHEREAS, Professor Gilton furthered the goals of equity, diversity, and inclusion by

creating and executing a virtual oral history project for people of color called "Growing Up in

South County; and

     WHEREAS, Professor Gilton promoted cultural awareness of local history by organizing

and moderating a panel discussion entitled "Slavery and its legacy in Rhode Island”; and

     WHEREAS, Professor Gilton was a member of the South Kingstown (Rhode Island)

Library Board of Trustees serving as Vice President and President respectively; and

     WHEREAS, Professor Gilton mentored countless library students, advocated for their

future, upheld the highest standards for the profession, and was a champion for diversity in

librarianship; and

     WHEREAS, Dr. Donna Louise Gilton leaves behind her twin brother, Charles Gilton, Jr.,

many cousins and her special sister, Joan Pratt; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

express its condolences on the passing of Dr. Donna Louise Gilton, and recognizes the

distinguished 39 year career she had as a leader, educator, and mentor; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Dr. Valerie Karno, Director, University of

Rhode Island Graduate School of Library and Information Studies and to the South Kingstown

Public Library Board of Trustees.

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