Providence PL to Decouple?

Library says the city could run branches, save 25 percent

By Lynn Blumenstein -- Library Journal, 5/1/2007

In response to a plan developed by a city-appointed task force, the Providence Public Library (PPL) announced it could manage the library system’s branches for $5 million a year. However, PPL also said that the city could save some 25 percent by running the branch system as a city department. The savings leading to a budget of $3.8 million would come from economies of scale, using the city’s existing business, personnel, security, and facilities functions.

“This is not a new offer but rather a presentation of an analysis of the potential for savings, should the city make the library a department,” PPL spokesperson Tonia Mason told LJ. The Municipal Library Services Working Group, appointed last year by Mayor David Cicilline to study the future scope and funding of the library, recently determined that management of the branches costs $4.5 million annually, which is less than PPL’s bid.

Currently, the city’s funding to PPL for neighborhood branch services amounts to $3.75 million, including the state’s grant-in-aid funds. The remainder is funded by PPL’s healthy endowment. PPL currently is a private, nonprofit corporation with an $8.5 million budget; it would continue to run the central library.