Kris Chin, the director of Barrington Public Library, received some good news recently.

The local library was selected to be part of a nationwide study conducted by OCLC and the Public Library Association for a project named, "Public Libraries Respond to the Opioid Crisis with Their Communities." The selection serves as recognition for a program offered by Barrington Public Library and in partnership with the BAY Team. Barrington was one of only eight public libraries chosen from across the entire country to be included in the study.

"We're very proud," said Ms. Chin.

Barrington Public Library and the BAY Team, working through a grant from the Rhode Island Foundation, created a program called "It's Time We Talk." Ms. Chin said the program served as a starting point to get people in this community discussing a variety of topics related to the opioid epidemic.

"Initially, when I went into it, I was like 'We've got to talk about the opioids,'" said Ms. Chin. "But Kristen (Westmoreland) and Denise (Alves), they've been around this forever, and they were like 'No, we need to approach this a different way.' Yes, there is an epidemic for sure, but where does it start?"

Ms. Chin, Dr. Westmoreland, Ms. Alves and others began planning a series of programs and discussions.

"A big part of it was depression," said Ms. Chin. "We did a lot of programs that ran the gamut… There was a book discussion with how this all happened… We had a particular book called 'Dreamland' and this reporter, he kind of happened upon this particular topic...

"But then we did things that addressed suicide. We had a film about a man who jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge and he lived. And he's telling his story about being more transparent about your mental illness or how you're feeling. That was the whole Change Direction campaign. We had that woman come from Washington, D.C. She started that whole Change Direction campaign."

Ms. Chin said certain programs were very well attended. She spoke about a presentation offered to parents that focused on healthy behaviors with technology. Another event featured a play called "Four Legs to Stand On."

"I was kind of blown away by that," said Ms. Chin. "I was sitting there in the audience and these people were sharing stories about how they've seen really close people to them (impacted by opioids) … these are kids who came from South Kingstown. You wouldn't think (it was happening there), but it's prevalent everywhere. Everybody knows somebody."

Ms. Chin said one of the presentations focused on mental health with young people. Bradley Hospital and Lifespan offered the presentation, which was well-attended by parents and teachers. 

"That was very popular," Ms. Chin said. 

The library director said she knows that similar programs and presentations are offered at the schools and in churches, but she believes that the library may be one of the best places for this type of presentation. She said people from different backgrounds are comfortable at the library.

"This is where people come. And they're comfortable coming here. And when they come here, they know whatever they hear, whatever they see, if it's a library-supported program, it's going to be true and it's going to be honest," said Ms. Chin. "Right there, it gives us a responsibility to do this type of public awareness programming for the community. I know the churches do wonderful work. But what if you're not comfortable going to church, if you're not that faith, if you're agnostic?

"You're comfortable going into a public library."

Ms. Chin said the role of public libraries continues to change, serving as more than just a place to take out a book or DVD.

"It should be a community center," said Ms. Chin. "I love that part of the job. I like figuring out different ways we can serve the public and give them what they need. I had always wanted to do this kind of work.

"We are stepping out of our comfort zone and people want it. They responded really well to it."

Ms. Chin said the information from Barrington's program to address the opioid epidemic will be included in a paper — public libraries from across the U.S. will learn about the work done here in Barrington.

"Eventually there will be training for other libraries on what they can do. Whatever is gleaned from these studies will come out as training for other libraries," said Ms. Chin.

The paper is likely to be released in the fall. Ms. Chin said she plans to secure future grants to continue offering programs such as "It's Time We Talk."

Ms. Chin also praised the contributions made by The BAY Team and its administrators, Dr. Westmoreland and Ms. Alves. 

"I could not have done it without The BAY Team," she said.