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News Release

12/21/2006
Status Quo Will Not Continue for Branch Library Service in Providence

Mayor Cicilline’s Municipal Library Working Group facilitator Maria DeCarvalho told trustees of Providence Public Library (PPL) this afternoon that the Working Group thus far has engaged in information gathering and has just begun “the conversation” about core issues regarding the future of branch libraries in the City of Providence. Those issues involve structure, scope, and funding for the City’s municipal library service.

The City’s branch library services are operating currently under a one-year extension agreement between PPL and the City of Providence that allows for a deficit budget and level services while the Mayor’s Working Group identifies options for going forward. This arrangement ends with the current fiscal year, June 30, 2007.

PPL Board members and DeCarvalho concurred that the status quo will not continue after this fiscal year. DeCarvalho said that the group is now in a “brainstorming mode” to determine what resources are available and what level of municipal library service they can fund.

Lisa Churchville, PPL Board chair, said that the responsibility for deciding how to spend taxpayers’ money lies with elected officials. “As in cities all across the country, Providence taxpayers are entitled to have their elected officials exercise responsibility and authority to specifically allocate tax dollars for municipal services, including branch libraries.”

Churchville’s sentiments were echoed by Board member Howard Walker. “This is not an issue of shared accountability. These decisions are squarely on the shoulders of elected officials. That’s where they appropriately belong and where the credit and blame rests.”

PPL trustees suggested to DeCarvalho that the Working Group explore such options that take advantage of economies of scale, whether administratively or in facilities, to create a more efficient system. This could involve creating a City department for library services or hiring a vendor – not necessarily PPL – to administer library services.

Board members pointed out that since six months of the current extension have already passed, time is of the essence to come to decisions that will provide a smooth transition for branch library patrons and employees.

DeCarvahlo acknowledged that coming to a solution in a timely fashion is critical and said that the Working Group, in its meeting yesterday, unanimously voted “to try” to complete its work by March 1.

DeCarvahlo informed the Board that she will be out of the country in January, but has arranged for discussions to continue co-facilitated by PPL trustee Pam Faulkner and City representative David Dillon.