Think Again | Building Transformation

What You Need to Know!

Our Think Again building renovation will begin this summer and is expected to last 12—18 months. As we prepare, here’s what you should know.

FINE AMNESTY DAYS AT PPL

If you have overdue library items, we have good news! We’re waiving overdue fines on PPL items only.

NOTE: Amnesty does not apply to previously accrued fines on items already returned, items that have been deleted from the catalog, or service fees for accounts that have been referred to collection.

SOME MATERIALS WILL BE RELOCATED

You may notice some materials shifting locations, such as Large Print materials, which are now found on Level 1 at the beginning of the Periodicals section.

PPL MATERIALS WILL GO INTO STORAGE

Except for a small collection of materials around the main Information Services desk, PPL items will not be available for holds or checkouts. As the renovation progresses, look for updates on availability of stored and new materials.

ITEMS REQUESTED FROM OTHER LIBRARIES CAN STILL BE PICKED UP AT PPL

Access to materials from other libraries, including interlibrary loan requests, will continue. We will continue to receive daily delivery of items requested from other libraries, which can be picked up at PPL, and then at PPL’s temporary location when that opens.

PPL AUDITORIUM, BARNARD & CONFERENCE ROOMS WILL CLOSE

The Auditorium, Barnard, and Conference Rooms will no longer be accessible.

THE COMPUTER LAB WILL CONTINUE

Access to computers will continue until the building closes; you may notice some changes.

THE 150 EMPIRE STREET BUILDING WILL CLOSE TO THE PUBLIC

After this building closes the Library will have a temporary location where you can pick up holds. Any outstanding PPL materials can still be returned to other OSL libraries.

THE LIBRARY WILL HAVE A TEMPORARY LOCATION

The temporary library at will house a small collection of high-demand and new materials.

SOME EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS WILL CONTINUE AT OTHER LOCATIONS

These include the Learning Lounge, technology classes, and more. Location and schedule details will be updated at provlib.org.

CONSIDER CHANGING YOUR HOLD PICKUP LOCATION AFTER THE BUILDING CLOSES

If access to PPL’s temporary library is difficult, we encourage you to make arrangements to pick up holds at another OSL library (https://www.oslri.org/librarie s/ ). PPL staff will work with you to change the pickup location for existing holds as necessary. You will be able to contact the Library by phone.

INFORMATION SERVICES WILL CONTINUE

Throughout the renovation, PPL librarians will continue to answer questions in person, by phone, and by email. Access to online resources at ProvLib.org and ProvLibDigital.org will continue unaffected.

ALL EVENTS SCHEDULED THROUGH MORINS WILL CONTINUE

Events and library rentals of spaces in our 1900 building scheduled through Morin’s Catering & Events will continue throughout the renovation.

SOME LIBRARY PROGRAMS AND SPECIAL EVENTS WILL CONTINUE

Some scheduled programs and special events will continue at PPL during the renovation in the Library’s 1900 spaces (with access at 225 Washington Street), including some teen programs and monthly coding meet-ups.

LIMITED ACCESS TO SPECIAL COLLECTIONS WILL CONTINUE

Open hours will end when the building closes, but for access to PPL Special Collections during the renovation, please email us at special_collections@provlib.org to discuss making an appointment. For limited access to the Rhode Island Collections, contact Kate Wells, Curator of Rhode Island Collections, at ricoll@provlib.org.