PCL update & thank you!

Dear Library Supporters,

I am delighted to announce that the Finance Committee voted last night to restore $150,000 of the $355,000 cut from PCL's budget for this coming fiscal year, thereby averting major reductions in library service. We are hopeful that with this restoration we will be able to continue to provide library services with minimal disruption to the people of Providence.

Thank you all for taking the time to contact your city councilors.

You spoke--and the Council listened!

The City Council worked with the Mayor's office to find enough money to restore a substantial amount that was slated to be cut from PCL's budget, and we hope that you will call, email or write your council representative to thank them for protecting our library services. They have shown themselves, once again, to be true friends of the library. At a time that cities across the country are cutting library services, Providence has recognized the importance of vibrant libraries and helped to keep PCL operating effectively.

Unfortunately, this is not the end of the story. The City's appropriation has seen no increase in the three years since PCL began operating the City's library system in 2009. Yet PCL, through careful management, continuous fundraising, and successful grant applications, has managed in this time to increase services and programs at all nine libraries. PCL provides a valued service to the City of Providence at far less than it would cost for the city to run the libraries as a city department. We will not be able to continue to provide such quality services if the City does not increase its funding above the 2009 level in FY14. We look forward to working with the Mayor's office and Finance Department to arrive at a funding level that will allow us to continue in the years to come to provide the library services that Providence deserves.

Meanwhile, though, let's celebrate our reprieve from having to reduce our services for this coming year--and take a moment to thank our City Council. Here is a contact sheet with the mailing and email addresses of the City Council, and I hope you will write (or call) your councilor.

Patricia Raub, PCL Vice President