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Providence Public Library Approves City ContractTrustees of the Providence (R.I.) Public Library voted June 13 to accept a one-year municipal contract that increases the city’s funding of the library by $300,000 and establishes an advisory committee to oversee PPL’s budget. The agreement ends a dispute over the level of city financing, governance of the branch libraries, staffing levels, and hours that began in July 2004 when the library cut staff and services in response to several years of level funding by the city and state. “This strengthens the relationship and clarifies the expectations of both of the parties,” Mayor David N. Cicilline said in the June 14 Providence Journal. The additional funding will bring the total city contribution to $3.3 million this fiscal year, less than the $5 million PPL had estimated it would need to maintain current service levels at its branches. Library spokesperson Tonia Mason said in a press release that PPL might have to cut some services to make up the shortfall. The Journal reported that this could mean layoffs of up to 10 employees and reduction in hours at five branches, although an increase in private funding—which had stagnated during the protracted dispute—could minimize these measures. PPL is a nonprofit corporation that operates on both private and public funding. The library also agreed to financial oversight by a Library Partnership Advisory Committee that would advise the city on its appropriations, and the city has pledged an additional $400,000 to upgrade the Washington Park branch, according to the June 14 Providence Business News. Posted June 15, 2007. |
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