Library Will Celebrate Its Rich History and Tradition of Community Service
Providence Public Library (PPL) officially turns 150 years old this year and has already begun celebratory activities. In a happy coincidence, the date of the charter that PPL operates under today is April 7, 1875, which coincides with the beginning of National Library Week – an annual celebration of the valuable role libraries, librarians, and library workers play in transforming lives and strengthening our communities. To mark its founding along with this special week, the Library will host a 150th Birthday Party on Saturday, April 12. All are invited!
“PPL has a rich history and tradition of extraordinary service in Providence and for all Rhode Islanders, really,” said Jack Martin, PPL Executive Director. “During our celebrations over this year we will be highlighting PPL’s vital role in and commitment to our community over the decades, specifically the Library’s mission and dedication to meeting the needs of the day – whatever they may be – through the development of innovative services and programs. This has been a defining element of PPL’s rich history.”
In addition to planned events, including an extra-special 10th annual Savor the Story Gala in May, PPL invites library history lovers to visit and explore its 150th Anniversary online, featuring a historical timeline, picture gallery, and more! Over the coming weeks, we will continue to highlight and celebrate the Library’s illustrious history as well as lay out our hopes and aspirations for the next 150 years.
PPL a Private Organization Dedicated to Serving the Public
For any organization that has stood the test of time like PPL, achieving 150 years truly IS an accomplishment! But, we recognize that the Library would not be here today without the extraordinary support of many people over the years. After all, PPL is a private, nonprofit organization with a public service mission.
Many people don’t fully realize that PPL is actually an independent, nonprofit organization governed by a Board of Trustees and relies immensely on private donations and the support of the community. But it is this aspect that also contributes greatly to the Library’s ability not only to respond quickly and creatively to needs while also working with and supporting other organizations in the community.
“Working hand in hand with others has been something PPL has done successfully throughout its 150 years. This spirit of collaboration continues to this day in everything we do,” said Martin.
Partnering and collaboration has actually been in PPL’s DNA from its very origins – from the very beginning when the Library was formed through the pooling of resources and collections of several entities, including The Franklin Society and The Franklin Lyceum, the Rhode Island Society for the Encouragement of Domestic Industry, and the Association of Mechanics and Manufacturers.
Dating back to traditions established by PPL’s first librarian/director William Foster, who served from 1877 until 1930, we can see the roots of the Library’s innovative and community-minded spirit. Mr. Foster espoused the development of PPL as a true community library and worked diligently from the moment the Library’s doors first opened on February 4, 1878 to keep the needs of the community forefront in everything he endeavored. It was in this way that PPL became known regionally and nationally for implementing some very innovative methods and practices.
As we celebrate and look ahead to the Library’s next 150 years, we will be aspiring to keep this noble tradition alive…and with everyone’s support and engagement – from those we serve to all of our generous benefactors – we have no doubt the Library will endure as an essential place at the heart of our community.
DID YOU KNOW…
PPL’s first charter was actually obtained as early as 1871 by a joint committee of representatives from the Franklin Society, the RI Society for the Encouragement of Domestic Industry, The Franklin Lyceum, and the Providence Association of Mechanics and Manufacturers to incorporate a “Free library, Art Gallery and Museum in the City of Providence” under a plan of pooling the collections of several societies, as a nucleus to form a library for the public. It allowed for an organization, when their subscriptions of $10,000 each, had been received. Trustees and officers were named: President: William S. Slater; Secretary: Frank E. Richmond; Trustees: Alexander Duncan, Mrs. Anna Richmond, Joseph A. Barker, and the Mayor, Thomas A. Doyle. After a time, it was thought best to drop the Institute Plan and to have a library only, at which point the R. I. General Assembly passed an amendment to the charter changing the name of the Library to “Providence Public Library” on April 7, 1875.
PPL was among the first public libraries in the country to establish an Information Desk – in 1891 – manned by a reference clerk. Each day a list of books and articles for more information related to a significant news article from the morning Providence Journal was created. Similar reference lists were published weekly in The Journal for many years.
To this day, we have the Rhode Island Index, a subject index that PPL librarians kept up for decades chronicling important news from the ProJo and linking researchers to microfilm of issues dating back to the 1800s. Both continue to be much used and important resources that are only available at PPL as part of our Rhode Island Collection!
PPL served children from its very early years. In fact, in 1894, borrower’s cards were issued for the first time to children under 14 years of age.
Thanks in large part to Rhode Island philanthropist John Nicholas Brown, a most generous benefactor who contributed the bulk ($268,500) of the total $387,000, Providence Public Library over four years constructed and opened its historic classic Renaissance building at 225 Washington Street in March 1900 with 93,000 volumes and 39 employees.
PPL opened its first branch library in December 1907, the Sprague House in the Mt. Pleasant neighborhood. This branch eventually became the Mt. Pleasant Branch.
In May 1923 the Library first initiated bookmobile service between the Central Library and its branches. Soon after, “bookwagon” visits to city playgrounds began.
PPL began formally supporting the Providence public schools as early as 1927 with a cooperative plan for the operation of school libraries was adopted when the Junior High School libraries were being developed. This agreement was in effect through 1956.
PPL was designated as the Principal Public Library for the State of Rhode Island in July 1964 in conjunction with the historic formation of the new Rhode Island Department of State Library Services.
Children’s education has continued to be a focus for PPL for decades, and manifested in the opening of a Child Learning Center at the Smith Hill Branch, funded through Progress for Providence, in December 1972. The Center provided a variety of activities, including creative dramatics, crafts, cooking, sewing, public speaking, and photography. Teenage counselors from the community worked with the children.
Led by PPL in the 1980s, Rhode Island was among, if not the first, to ultimately create a statewide library catalog system. PPL operated the Cooperating Libraries Automated Network (CLAN) for years until it eventually moved and was renamed as Ocean State Libraries (OSL).
Affirming the value of basic literacy skills, PPL established the Family Literacy Program in 1989, initially in the Smith Hill and South Providence branches. With additional U.S. Department of Education funding, the program expanded, ultimately serving as a precursor to the long-running and nationally-recognized intergenerational Rhode Island Family Literacy Initiative (RIFLI). RIFLI went on to be named the Exemplary New England Adult and Family Literacy Program by the Nellie Mae Education Foundation and the New England Literacy Resource Center. Today RIFLI continues, primarily focused on providing adults with ESL classes, citizenship preparation, and workforce development, celebrating its 25th Anniversary in 2023.
PPL received the prestigious 2001 National Award for Library Service – given annually to one urban library nationwide by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (the chief federal agency responsible for oversight and public support of libraries and museums). This award recognizes excellence in service, commitment and contribution to the community. In particular, it honors libraries that “demonstrate extraordinary and innovative approaches to public service, reaching beyond the expected levels of community outreach and core programs generally associated with library services.” The main qualification for selection is community service, as demonstrated by the Library’s ongoing commitment, at every level, to its community.
PPL Launched Provlibdigital.org in 2015 with the long-range goal of making an increasing number of its collections digitally accessible. It initially featured nine collections and nearly 5,000 items from the Library’s Special Collections and Rhode Island Collection. The continually growing digital collection now features nearly 20,000 items from 39 diverse collections and has become a valuable resource in Rhode Island, offering the public free access to a searchable digital repository of historical and significant resources of high quality for download and creative use.
Thanks to a century and a half of collecting and the kindness of donors, the Library’s Special Collections feature more than 10,000 linear feet of historic books, manuscripts, photographs, ephemera, maps and other artifacts representing more than 4,000 years of human history and culture from around the world.
In 2020, after years of planning and 18 months of construction, PPL completed its historic “Think Again” renovation of its 1950s Empire Street building, Rhode Island’s largest-ever library renovation. At $28 million, the renovation transformed PPL into a true 21st-century, state-of-the-art gathering and learning place and recast PPL into a welcoming, light-filled and easy-to-navigate space. The remade building featured a new three-story atrium with a centerpiece grand staircase seamlessly connecting to the Library’s original 1900 building. Other new features included modern educational spaces and open technology labs, a teen loft and enlarged children’s library, a state-of-the-art 255-seat auditorium, an upgraded Special Collections suite allowing for improved access and protection, and a large, museum-quality exhibition and gallery space.