News Release

04/26/2006
PPL Applauds Decision to Begin Independent Review

Providence Public Library Director Dale Thompson today applauded Mayor Cicilline’s efforts to enlist the aid of Neil Steinberg to assess options for running the City’s neighborhood municipal library services.

“As the Mayor and City Council know, the Library has become increasingly concerned about the future of the city’s library services. We’ve come to the unfortunate realization that the funds the city allocates aren’t adequate to cover the existing system of 10 library branches. We welcome the input of Mr. Steinberg as he helps the city sort through financing and management options for its municipal neighborhood library services,” Thompson said.

Providence Public Library is a 130-year-old private institution that manages the City’s library services. It spends millions of dollars yearly to augment city and state funds used to run municipal library services. When compared to urban libraries across the country, Providence’s system is an anomaly receiving 40% of its municipal library budget from the private PPL – a small number of libraries report private funding in the 5 – 10% range; however, most libraries are funded from private sources only in a marginal way.

Already the Library and a City study on schools have identified many innovative opportunities for the city to create efficiencies. Among the options: creating multi-use facilities that include libraries, and recreation centers; eliminating redundancy of services by co-locating public and school libraries across the city.

“We are hopeful that, as he conducts his analysis, Mr. Steinberg will look at the economic benefits of creating a separate non-profit corporation, controlled by board members appointed by City elected officials, that would have the responsibility and authority to implement efficiencies city wide,” said Chairman of the PPL Board Mary B. Olenn.

“The actions by the Mayor indicate that city municipal library services are a high priority, and we are encouraged that he joins the Providence Public Library in its desire to explore alternative ways to keep neighborhood library services available,” said Olenn.

PPL is committed to continuing to provide the “value added” library services to city residents. Those services include programs such as computer skills training for all ages, literacy training, early childhood learning programs, and providing books to school teachers, child care centers and other community organizations, as well as other innovative community partnerships like the Mayor’s after-school PASA initiative, in which PPL is currently involved.