News Release

12/17/08 Providence Public Library Receives $280,800 Grant from The Champlin Foundations

Providence Public Library (PPL) has received a $280,800 grant from The Champlin Foundations. The Library’s award has been allocated as follows, allowing for a variety of capital repairs, technology/infrastructure updates, and computers/equipment to enable PPL to continue to provide high quality library services to the residents of Providence and all Rhode Island:

• $200,000 for capital repairs at Mt. Pleasant Branch Library
• $35,800 for varied technology, infrastructure and computer updates
• $25,000 for capital repairs at Wanskuck Branch Library
• $20,000 for shelving to enable increased public access to CD collection

Also, a grant in the amount of $67,381 payable to Ocean State Libraries (OSL) on the Library’s behalf has been approved and will be forwarded directly to OSL for technology funding.

“Exhibited once again through this generous grant, The Champlin Foundations’ exceptional, continued support of the Providence Public Library (PPL) is unmatched and a true affirmation of the Library’s important role in the community; because of the Foundations’ ongoing generosity, we can continue to meet the many and diverse needs of our patrons, as well as to achieve goals that would ordinarily be beyond our reach. In particular, this year’s grant helps the Library with significant expenditures necessary to maintain our facilities, as well as various infrastructure and technology updates, all of which are critical to delivering high quality library services in today’s increasingly difficult economic environment. Also, the PPL grant made through the OSL system helps us to continue to provide the necessary and valued access to technology for residents of Providence and all Rhode Island,” said Dale Thompson, library director.

Providence Public Library is a 130-year-old private, non-profit library which also serves as a public library for the City of Providence, providing free information resources, learning opportunities, and community services. In addition, PPL serves as the Statewide Reference Resource Center, through which it provides all Rhode Islanders with lifelong learning, cultural enrichment, and economic advancement opportunities.