Transition

Dear Library Patrons:

Beginning July 1, 2009, the Central Library of the Providence Public Library will operate independently. As of this date, the City of Providence and the newly formed Providence Community Library will take over operation of the city’s neighborhood branches.

Providence Public Library will continue to operate the downtown Central Library and the Statewide Reference Resource Center at 150 Empire Street. Central Library services and resources will be fully accessible. Days and hours of operation are as follows:

Central Library, 150 Empire Street, 455-8000

Monday, Thursday 1:00 – 9:00 pm
Tuesday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Wednesday CLOSED
Friday, Saturday 12:30 – 5:30 pm
Sunday (September 13 - May 16) 1:00 – 5:00 pm

AskRI (www.askri.org)
Statewide Reference Resource Center and Online Chat, Email & Phone hours:

Monday & Thursday 8:30 am - 8:30 pm
Tuesday 8:30 am - 6:00 pm
Wednesday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Friday & Saturday 8:30 am - 5:30 pm

Additional information about Library programs and services, including access to the statewide AskRI online reference services are available at www.provlib.org.

Open hours and services at each of the neighborhood branch libraries will continue. More detailed information regarding the new municipal branch library system may be obtained at Providence Community Library.

New Central Library Hours to Begin July 6

Providence Public Library will be OPEN Wednesday, July 1, 10:00 am - 6:00 pm and Thursday, July 2, Noon—8:00 pm, and CLOSED Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4. The Library’s new schedule will be in effect beginning Monday, July 6. Please take a copy of our new schedule of hours.

Serving Rhode Island learners for 135 years...
It’s what we do.

Since 1875, Providence Public Library has led residents of Providence and all Rhode Island to opportunities for lifelong learning and cultural enrichment. The Library is a private, nonprofit corporation providing free public library services through print, recorded, and digital collections, information resources, programs of interest and relevance, and expert staff.

As we have been for 135 years, the Library is committed to this mission and to the generations of future learners who will come through our doors or turn to us for information and other enrichment opportunities.

Over the decades, the Library has evolved to ensure that we are providing relevant and high quality library service to all. While the size and shape of our organization has continually changed to reflect our dedication to these ideals, and while we have often developed and provided programs and services for the benefit of Providence residents as well as all Rhode Island library patrons, our fundamental mission endures.

Providence Public Library remains committed to fostering a community of readers and learners through a set of core library services, including access to our vast and unique collections, delivery of excellent service -- both person to person and through evolving technologies, offering a variety of exceptional programs for learners of all ages, and serving as that special community gathering place that can only be described as your library.