Providence Public Library agrees to cede branches to city
5:57 PM Thu, Apr 23, 2009 | Permalink
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PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The Providence Public Library Board of Trustees voted Thursday to begin transferring control of the neighborhood branch libraries to the city. Library Board Chair William Simmons said in a statement that Mayor David N. Cicilline's administration has agreed to assume full responsibility for the funding and operation of branch library services. City takeover of the nine branch libraries is possibly the first step in the transition of the branch operations to another nonprofit entity. Cicilline and library officials have been in discussions with a relatively new city nonprofit, the Providence Community Library, to possibly run the branch system, which would leave the PPL to operate the main downtown library. The PPL has said that if the city continues to fund it at the current levels, the PPL would be forced next fiscal year to close at least five of the branch libraries.
Now with the possibility of two separate entities running the different parts of the city library system, Simmons said he was hopeful that the systems would "support and complement each other." "This represents the best opportunity for continued, vital neighborhood library services for all city residents and will enable PPL to focus on securing strong core library services for all Rhode Island residents," Simmons said in a statement. In order to ensure uninterrupted service at the nine branch libraries, the board has stipulated that the transition must be completed in time for the start of the next fiscal year, which starts on July 1. The PPL has begun issuing layoff notices to allow for the transition of employees and payroll to the new entity, Simmons said. 
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The PLC,bless their little hearts.When reality finally sets in and they see that the Mayor never supported their plans,they will understand that they have been led down a path by a self-serving,unscrupulous,and untruthful Mayor who would never entertain any agenda except his own.
In this case his agenda calls for the shutting down of library branches with some reopened as "education centers" where inner city kids can,when they are not meditating, learn the all important skills of juggling and sailing.
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The city has enjoyed a gift for 131 years from a nonprofit organization which dared to promote a high mission. From the opening of the doors of the original building in 1900, the PPL has always relied upon its good relationship with the mayor and the City Council. Indeed, that first year the PPL only had to come up with 25% of its operating funds.
It is time, and long past time, for the city of Providence to move into the present day, and step up and take full responsibility for its metropolitan library. The gain here will be a clear line of accountability. If the system fails after the city has taken it over, there will be only one entity to blame, and no "he said/she said" situation to confuse the matter.
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If this is the path PPL have to take to remain open then so be it. Overall the city has some MAJOR restructuring in how they run themselves. So lets hope keeping these libraries open succeeds, as for the juggling and sailing comment, i don think "educational centers" are a bad idea id they incorporate adult education and advancement classes they give the mass amount of people unemployed a place to go.
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