| One Library at a Time: Washington Park Library |
 Washington Park Library has a wonderful history. The building actually began as a firehouse, at the turn of the 20th century, when fire engines were still horse drawn. Upstairs, in the un-renovated upper floors, the firemen's wooden equipment lockers are still standing. Sadly and contrary to popular belief, the firemen's pole has been jettisoned. In 1950, the City of Providence gave the firehouse to Providence Public Library for use as a branch library. Photos from that time show a library with absolutely minimal changes: brick walls and rough furniture. But in 1956 modernism hit Washington Park. The ground floor of Washington Park Library was fully renovated; the architects, Buffum & Day of Providence, went for the full late 50s look. The shelving is gridded blond wood; the entire one room library is very clean and minimal. And then...the Eames chairs and the round Formica topped tables. Pictures from that era show a clerk sitting at a gleaming circulation desk, without a single piece of paper anywhere in sight, and with a general aura of what might be termed "library glamour". Washington Park Library hit some hard times around 2006, when the roof just gave up. We were closed for approximately 3 years, although PPL had a small children-only afterschool location in the former Benny's at 1380 Broad Street - to use a truly Rhode Island locator. The roof there gave up as well, and Washington Park had no library services at all until March 28, 2009. By then, the City of Providence had stepped in and repaired the building, and we reopened with a clean, fresh and extremely cheerful facility. Unfortunately, we discovered that when Washington Park Library's books were placed in storage during our closure the shipping container storing the majority of our books sprung a leak...in the roof. If you're counting, that's 3 roofs now. Our collection lost over 9,000 books - mostly adult books. But the response from our community was great. Friends and newcomers alike showed up with donations to our collection. A librarian in Franklin Lake, New Jersey, heard this story and sent up boxes and boxes of 6 month old bestsellers they were weeding. And Providence Community Library's other 8 libraries have all helped out by sending book donations and duplicate copies to our collection. So the happy ending is here. The Washington Park neighborhood once again has a computer lab and full adult and juvenile services. Our collection is getting strong again: we've just added a lot of urban lit, new non-fiction, and great new young adult (teen) titles. We have a sweet, small Rhode Island Collection we're looking forward to developing. Providence Community Library has made it possible for us to offer computer classes and kids' programs. We regularly offer "Cradle to Crayons", a story time program for 1 to 3 year old kids, and Cuentos Bilingues, a Spanish-English bilingual story time for 6 to 9 year old kids. Call us at 781-3136 to ask about classes and programs. Please come visit us at Washington Park Library. We've started our first Friends of the Library group, and our next meeting will be held Thursday, January 14th, at 6:30 pm. If you live in our neighborhood, or you're just curious, please join us! Lanham Bundy, Managing Librarian More about Washington Park Library, the staff and what's going on! |
| Dancing Lessons for Your Eyes |
 A Look at Graphic NovelsSometimes adults forget that reading is a physical act. It's not just something that happens in your brain-it's something that happens between the page and your eyeballs. Watch children learning to read and you'll know what I'm talking about: their fingers, eyes, and lips all move in time to their reading. Simply tracking a line of text across the page is difficult at first, like counting a row of telephone poles that disappears into the distance. Now try reading a graphic novel. If typical reading is like making your eyeballs march across a page, then reading a graphic novel is like making your eyeballs dance. When I first started reading graphic novels, I didn't know where to look first-text bubbles, facial expressions, motion lines? But I soon realized that a good artist will call your attention to what's most important in ways subtle and surprising. And besides, it doesn't really matter. The whole spread tells the story, and regardless of the order in which you take in the elements on the page, your brain will quickly piece them together like a puzzle.
That said, there are certain graphic novels that I enjoy reading more than others because of the way the artist leads me across the page. This year, I read about 200 graphic novels, and one image that's still burnt into my retina is from the second book in the Locke and Key series, written by Joe Hill and illustrated by Gabriel Rodriguez. The main plot device in the series is a collection of keys, hidden in a spooky old New England house, that do strange things to people's bodies and minds. In the second book, Locke and Key: Head Games, a little boy finds a key that pops your head open like a plastic Easter egg, letting others look inside and even take things in and out. The image that stays with me is the glimpse into the little boy's mind: it's like a bowl full of brightly colored toys, tiny people, and nightmarish monsters that takes up the entire page. Makes you wonder what the inside of your head looks like... more |
| A Voice from PCL |
 Six months ago the Providence Community Library (PCL) was born with a mission to provide library services to Providence residents throughout the city through the operation and support of all nine neighborhood libraries. PCL manages Providence's community library system for the benefit of the entire community. I am happy to report that we have accomplished our mission and more. All nine neighborhood libraries are open and flourishing. Books, audio books, videos and music CD's are being borrowed at a greater rate than last year. Computer usage has increased at every location, as well as the number of people visiting our neighborhood libraries. PCL is working hard to fulfill the unique library needs of the users of each neighborhood library. We are creating exciting partnerships with community agencies, corporations, and schools. You have proven that people of all ages need libraries in the neighborhoods where they live. For preschool children, this means a Cradle to Crayons story time, providing some children with their first introduction to reading and literacy. For school age children, PCL provides a safe place to receive help with homework and use computers after school. For teens, the library is a place to gather with friends, attend a book discussion group, or create art. For adults PCL is a place to search for employment, to attend meetings, to discuss neighborhood issues, and to continue lifelong learning. Thanks to all who have made these first six months a successful venture: Mayor Cicilline, the City Council, the Rhode Island Office of Library & Information Science, our Board of Trustees, our Friends of the Library groups, our staff, our donors and partners, and of course you - our faithful patrons. All of us are optimistic about the future of PCL as we strive to meet your library needs, which are greater now due to the economic downturn and high unemployment rates. As PCL continues to grow and develop we depend on your participation and input for our continued success. Ann Robinson Executive Director |
| Don't forget! |
When snow is predicted, a library visit can be as essential as going to the grocery store for bread & milk!
Location and hours of your community libraries! |
| Coming soon... |
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PCL patrons will soon be able to buy books for PCL through Amazon Wish Lists. More info coming next month!
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GTECH Gives PCL 2nd After School Advantage Computer Lab |
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GTECH and Providence Community Library strengthened their partnership with the December 17, 2009 ribbon-cutting dedication of the Mount Pleasant Library After School Advantage Lab. The ASA labs are designed to provide inner-city children with a meaningful, yet fun, learning experience during the critical after-school hours and in a safe environment. With these new computers, children can develop their computer skills and gain the necessary tools to help them become more competitive in school and in today's job market. During school hours the computers will also be available to adult patrons for job searches and skills training.
The addition of these eight new state-of-the-art computers greatly expands the number of computers available for free public use at the Mount Pleasant Library. When PCL's first ASA lab was installed in the Wanskuck Library in October, there was a dramatic increase in public use of Wanskuck's computers. PCL expects similar increases at the Mount Pleasant Library and at the Fox Point Library when its ASA lab is installed in the next few months. Thanks to GTECH for helping PCL serve you - its patrons!
The City of Providence provides PCL with $3,500,000 to run our nine neighborhood libraries, and we receive another $720,000 in State library funding. But PCL still needs to raise nearly $600,000 from private sources to meet its budget for this year. So far, PCL has raised almost $200,000, or nearly 33% of that amount. Friends like GTECH are making achieving this goal a reality.
You too can support PCL! Please send checks made out to the Providence Community Library to:
Providence Community Library
PO Box 9267
Providence RI 02940
Or you may make a secure online donation with your credit card from our Support Page |
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Upcoming Events |
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begins January 13
Evelyn Shatkin
Thursday, January 14
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