News Release

12/18/08 Sustainable Library System Proposed by Providence Public Library
Keeps 80 percent of system intact, converts rest into Neighborhood Learning Centers

The Providence Public Library Board of Trustees today approved a recommendation that would create a sustainable Library System in the City of Providence.

The proposed system provides for a scaled back Central Library, four branches and the conversion of five smaller facilities to City or community-owned and operated Neighborhood Learning Centers. The recommendation comes amid widespread agreement that the existing Library system is unsustainable. The Library Board of Trustees had agreed to fund a $1.4 million operating deficit in the current fiscal year in order to provide for a transition to a sustainable system. Under the terms of the City/ Library Memorandum of Agreement, the Library was required to come up with its recommendation by December 31, 2008. Over the next six months, the City and Library will continue considering options in order to implement a sustainable system by July 2009.

“We thought long and hard about how to design a system that was financially sustainable and continued to provide quality library services for as many users as possible,” said Robert K. Taylor, Chairman of the Library Sustainability Committee. “That meant making some very difficult decisions, looking at creative options and working with existing and new partners in the community.”

The proposed Library System would comprise about 81 percent of current library usage and preserves access for adults and children to computers and books, including the million items housed at the Central Library. If accepted by the City, the proposed Library System would keep current hours and level of service at the Rochambeau, Knight Memorial, Mt. Pleasant and South Providence branches while scaling back Central hours.

Bill Simmons, Chairman of the Providence Public Library Board of Trustees said there were several important considerations that trustees struggled with in the deliberation over the past several months in varied committees. “Libraries have a unique role in our community, one that is especially poignant today. The library is the only place where all people can come to access, free of charge, books, computers and learning resources. We are the people’s university and preserving that was central to our considerations.”

A critical element in the trustees’ deliberation was a proposal that could convert five smaller neighborhood branches into community based, Neighborhood Learning Centers. Already library staff has had preliminary meetings with the City to explore options for creating the centers that would serve as gathering places for after-school activities and provide access to computers. The Library would offer donations of buildings, books and computers as well as staff to help with organization and grant writing.

“We want to make it very clear that the proposal for Central and four branches does not mean there will be a loss of access at the other facilities,” said Taylor. “While they will not be PPL branches, the buildings can be donated to the City or community. They can still be utilized for community gathering places. The books and computers will still be there, and we are working to secure ongoing internet access and library book circulation.”

Under the terms of the City/Library agreement, the City now must consider whether it will accept the proposed sustainable system, buy more time by agreeing to fund the deficit for another year, or opt to operate a branch library system on its own. The Library will continue to work with the City to provide more clarity for each of the options.