Bring any Eastside Market receipts to your PCL library & 1% of the total receipt will be donated to us.
News
The Providence Community Library system to close Sept. 10 through Sept. 15 due to funding cuts
The Providence Community Library system will close Monday, Sept. 10 through Saturday, Sept. 15 due to a cut in funding from the city of Providence. Regular Library operations will resume Monday, Sept. 17.
Providence Community Library relies on funding from the city of Providence for approx. 75% of its budget. Citywide budget cuts means a reduction in city funding to PCL of $205,000. This cut would have been greater without the support of the Mayor and the City Council.
PCL’s staff have volunteered to forego the 401(k) contribution that PCL was scheduled to make during this fiscal year. It is hoped that this financial sacrifice by all of PCL’s employees, together with the closing of the libraries for this one week, will be sufficient to address this budget shortfall.
Most Library services will be unavailable during the one-week closure and will have the following impacts
Materials will not be due and no fines will be charged.
The last day to check out Library items before the closure is:
Friday, Sept. 7 for the Fox Point, Olneyville, Smith Hill, South Providence, Wanskuck, and Washington Park libraries. These six libraries all close at 6pm that day.
Saturday, Sept. 8 for the Knight Memorial, Mt. Pleasant, and Rochambeau libraries. These three libraries all close at 6pm that day.
Check our Library locations and hours
Book drops will be open.
For libraries without book drops, please DO NOT leave any materials by the front door. Any items that are damaged or lost will be the patron’s responsibility.
Limited access to the online catalog. Patrons will be able to search the catalog and check their Library record and will be able to place holds on items. However, there will be no hold pickups until September 17.
Limited access to the website (www.provcomlib.org). Databases, downloadable books and media will be available, but other online information and features will not be available. No staff members will be working to maintain the site or troubleshoot problems.
Library computers will not be available. Patrons will not be able to reserve a computer for the week the Library system is closed.
No access to Wi-Fi.
Programs or events will not be held in Library reading or meeting rooms.
Mail will not be received during the closure. The Library will have the U.S. Post Office hold all mail until the Library reopens. There will not be staff available to accept deliveries.
Some electronic services available
Some electronic resources will be available for patrons to access remotely during the closure. Patrons should understand that staff will not be available to help them use these online services. The online services available by going to www.provcomlib.org will include:
Calendar of Events
Patrons will be able to see information about upcoming Library programs.
Online databases
Patrons will have access to AtoZdatabases, Career Center, EBSCO, HeritageQuest, HomeworkHelp RI, Learning Express, Mango Languages and World Book, all available through AskRI.org.
Downloadable media
Patrons will have access to more than 12,000+ items in the digital collection, through RI E-Zone, including e-books and audiobooks, song titles and downloadable movie titles. Click help on the RI E-Zone page for info about downloading digital media.
Payment of fines and fees through the online catalog.
AskRI and the Statewide Reference Resource Center will NOT be affected by the library closure. They will remain available by chat, phone or email during the hours posted on the AskRI website. For more information, visit www.AskRI.org.