Richland Library Main
The 7th Annual Augusta Baker Lecture featuring Emely Rumble
Friday, April 17, 2026 6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Emely Rumble, LCSW, a distinguished licensed clinical social worker, school social worker, seasoned biblio/psychotherapist with over 14 years of professional experience and author of Bibliotherapy in the Bronx, is our guest.
In conversation with Augusta Baker Endowed Chair Dr. Nicole A. Cooke, Ms. Rumble will discuss her book, her work, her inspirations and more during the 2026 Augusta Baker Lecture. A book signing and reception will follow.
Emely Rumble, LCSW, is a distinguished licensed clinical social worker, school social worker, and seasoned biblio/psychotherapist with over 14 years of professional experience. Committed to making mental health services more accessible, Emely specializes in the transformative practice of bibliotherapy.
Passionate about advocating for the integration of creative arts in psychotherapy, mental well-being, and self-improvement, Emely champions the social model of disability and embraces a neurodiversity-affirming therapeutic approach. A distinguished member of The National Association of Poetry Therapy, Emely's work has been featured in respected publications such as Parents Magazine, ‘School Library Journal’, Bold Journey Magazine, BronxNet News, and The Bronx Is Reading.
Emely shares her expertise beyond traditional avenues through @Literapy_NYC, her dedicated platform on Instagram, TikTok, and Podia, where she provides valuable educational content.
Having earned her undergraduate degree from Mount Holyoke College and completed her social work degree at Smith College School for Social Work, Emely resides in the Bronx with her husband, two children, and her psychiatric service dog, Montana. She embodies a holistic and compassionate approach to mental health and well-being.
Dr. Nicole A. Cooke is the Augusta Baker Endowed Chair and a Professor at the School of Library and Information Science, at the University of South Carolina. Dr. Cooke’s research and teaching interests include human information behavior, fake news consumption and resistance, critical cultural information studies, LIS Education, and diversity and social justice in librarianship.
Dr. Cooke was named a Mover & Shaker by Library Journal in 2007, she was awarded the 2016 ALA Equality Award, and she was presented with the 2017 ALA Achievement in Library Diversity Research Award, presented by the Office for Diversity and Literacy Outreach Services. She has also been honored as the Illinois Library Association’s 2019 Intellectual Freedom Award winner in recognition of her work in combating online hate and bullying in LIS, and she was selected as the Association for Library and Information Science Education's 2019 Excellence in Teaching award winner. In 2021 she was presented with the Martin Luther King, Jr., Social Justice Award by the University of South Carolina, in 2022 the Black Caucus of the American Library Association granted her their Advocate Award, and in 2024 the American Library Association presented her with the Lippincott Award.
Now the founding editor of ALA Neal-Schuman's Critical Cultural Information Studies book series, Cooke has published numerous articles and book chapters. Her books include the second edition “Information Services to Diverse Populations” (ALA Editions, expected in 2026), “Fake News and Alternative Facts: Information Literacy in a Post-truth Era" (ALA Editions, 2018), and “Foundations of Social Justice (ALA Editions, expected in 2026).
About the Lecture:
Each year's lecture features those in library, children's literature and storytelling professions who espouse Augusta Baker's advocacy for equity, social justice and diverse literature. The event is supported by the Augusta Baker Endowed Chair, Richland Library, the South Carolina Center for Community Literacy and the College of Information and Communications.
We will also provide virtual access to this conversation. The streaming link will be shared here by 4 pm EST on Friday, April 17, 2026.
Questions? E-mail hmccue@richlandlibrary.com
We value inclusion and access for all of our customers including those that may need Americans with Disabilities Act accommodations. Please complete this ADA accommodation request form at least two weeks prior to the event to make a reasonable accommodation request.
Have questions about the program? Please reach out to a staff member at the hosting location for additional information.