Since July of 2009, Providence Public Library, or PPL, has run the Central Library on Empire Street, the flagship of the old system, while the nine neighborhood branches have been managed by Providence Community Library, or PCL.
The arrangement has successfully kept threatened branches open and left most services unaffected. But two years after control of the public libraries was split between the two nonprofit agencies, debate continues over who should get ownership of the buildings.
PPL still has title to seven branch library buildings, but since the split the city has leased them for $1 a year. Those branches, and two more already owned by the city, are managed by PCL, an organization formed by activist groups to fight a proposal to close some locations. As before, the city provides most of the funding for the branches.
Recently PPL trustees voted to continue the $1 lease arrangement for another six months, until Oct. 1, while talks for a more permanent arrangement continue.
Mayor Angel Taveras in June said both sides are committed to finding an agreement.
“During the past two years, the city has worked with the Providence Community Library to ensure citywide neighborhood services while the PPL has continued to provide Providence with important services and resources focused on early-childhood literacy, economic advancement and work force development, and lifelong learning opportunities for residents,” Taveras said, in announcing the extension. “Both PPL and the city are committed to achieving an agreement that enables the continued use of the branch buildings to provide important services to Providence neighborhood residents and allows the city’s branch system and the PPL to flourish.”
The Providence Public Library hopes the city and Providence Community Library continue to operate the branch system, says Tonia Mason, a spokesperson for PPL.
“The branches provide convenience and services tailored to neighborhood needs,” she said. “When we were running the branches, they were always very busy and I think they’ve maintained that level of services.”
Steve Kumins, development director at PCL, says staff and organizers there are also happy with the arrangement, for the most part. “From our perspective and that of our patrons, it works well,” he said. “We’re operating nine libraries in the neighborhoods, and the PPL had wanted to close five of them.”
But Kumins was quick to add that the temporary lease agreement has resulted in maintenance problems at some of the branch buildings. “Because we’re still operating under short-term leases, we’re unable to perform capital repairs,” he said. “Some buildings need major structural repairs, and they continue to deteriorate. They say they’re going to strike a conveyance agreement by Oct. 1, but it’s been two years already.”
Mason says PPL hopes to end that situation soon, perhaps with a lease-to-buy or a long-term rental agreement. Talks have been complicated because of the financial problems now facing the city, which came to light in January after former Mayor David Cicilline left office.
“At Providence Public Library, we’re looking to provide a flexible arrangement that helps both libraries maintain their level of services and flourish,” said Mason. “We recognize that the city has other issues to deal with, bigger issues, perhaps, than the libraries.”
All the same, PPL expects some compensation. “There was no agreement to give the buildings away for free,” said Mason.
PPL has been providing library services to the city for 135 years. The organization gets funding largely through donations and its endowment. Before the split, the city also provided money to help run the branch libraries.
In 2000, PPL began efforts to renovate some branch buildings, starting with the Rochambeau Library and the South Providence Library. “We expanded both locations extensively,” explained Mason. “We added elevators, and more space. What didn’t happen was an increase in funding for those libraries. It became apparent the branches would require more operational funding, and the city didn’t have it.”
Neighborhood activists then formed the PCL organization, with the goal of taking over management of the branch libraries. After two years of discussion, all parties agreed to the split.
Under the current arrangement, PPL continues to provide library services to city residents. It also runs programs that are used by patrons from all over Rhode Island, such as an extensive reference resource center and a collection of over 1 million items that are available as lending materials statewide.
Mason said PPL services focus on three core missions: encouraging early-childhood education, assisting small businesses and entrepreneurs, and helping Rhode Islanders find work or develop their careers.
At PCL, Kumins voiced optimism. “We’re wrapping up our second year of fundraising,” he said. “Both foundations and library patrons have been receptive to our requests. We’ve been in the black both years.”
Once the lease issue is resolved, he said, PCL will be looking for grants to make improvements to the buildings and provide much-needed maintenance. Topping the wish-list: air conditioning systems for two buildings and roof and window repairs at Smith Hill.
“The buildings are older and frankly some of them are falling apart,” Kumins said. “We’re spending money to repair buildings as necessary, but right now we can’t do anything major.”
In the meantime, according to Kumins, PCL has been successful in meeting patron’s needs. “Our first- year goal was to just keep the libraries open with the same level of services,” he said. “In our second year, we’ve increased our services.”
More cultural programs and after-school programs for students are planned, he said.•
