News Release

07/12/2007
Library Committees Recommend Approval of City Request to Use Additional City Funds to Alleviate Proposed Cuts at Branches

The Finance, Pension and Transition Committees of the Providence Public Library (PPL) at an unusual joint meeting today voted on two separate recommendations that would, in effect, use City money allocated in Fiscal Year 2007 to fund services at branch libraries for Fiscal Year 2008. The committees recommended the savings achieved from the City’s additional FY 2007 allocation be used to prepay the PPL FY 2008 pension contribution, thus freeing up the budgeted amount.

This budget move comes at the request of the City Council and Mayor’s office which both had indicated their desire to use the additional one-time FY 2007 allocation of $250,000 to alleviate some of the previously agreed to layoffs at branch libraries.

“We are gratified that City officials recognize the value of branch library services and have chosen to make this extra money available, specifying that it be used to augment branch services,” said Lisa Churchville, PPL Board Chair. “Even though this is a one-time expenditure by the City it will, at least for FY 2008, mean we can avert some anticipated layoffs. Both the Library and Mayor’s office have agreed to continue identifying any savings throughout FY 2008 in an attempt to further lessen the impact of proposed branch service reductions.”

The Library/City contract for FY 2008 calls for $3.3 million in City money and specifies a level of service at branch libraries. Under the contract, no branches would be closed and hours would be reduced only minimally. The City’s additional money will reduce the number of necessary layoffs. “We are pleased that we were able to find a way to make adjustments in the FY 2007 and FY 2008 budget years to reflect the City’s additional allocation for branch services,” said Dale Thompson, PPL Director. “We have consistently worked with the City in trying to maximize its Library appropriation to provide the highest possible level of services for library patrons.”

“This flexibility on the part of the Library and the City is a clear indication of our joint commitment to this new working relationship. I believe that together we can find even more ways to better serve the City’s library patrons in the future,” said Rob Taylor, Chair of the PPL Transition Committee.