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“When the Internet came along, many thought we were done with libraries—that is absolutely not true and people are seeing that,” says Library Director of the Community Libraries of Providence Cheryl Space. “I have been a librarian for almost 30 years and we have become a cultural center, a hub, a trusted and free information resource —people know they can trust the answers they get from the staff. And programming has always been important, but much more so now.  

“We’re a building with resources—continually evolving. Libraries are here to stay, and this endowment is a strong signal we’re stable and we plan to be here for the community.

“Establishing this endowment with the Rhode Island Foundation is a huge goal for us. It doesn’t take away the annual gifts but we need to become more independent. We are accountable to the City but by having an endowment we can grow out our potential for what we can do.”

• The network of community libraries must ensure that they have adequate classroom and community space. They offer GED and ESL classes, maker space studios, and host 6,000 meetings per year for community groups as well as for congressional leaders, local city councils, mayoral forums.
• The Knight Memorial Entrepreneurship Center offers Rhode Island-based entrepreneurs and artists the knowledge they require to be successful, including access to financial and intellectual resources. It also serves as a space for making business cards, holding maker marketplaces, seminars on how to fund your business, manage social media presence, and a new program for Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs.
• Community-based artists are invited to make presentations that engage the community—Spanish language theatre, mural-making, podcast-making, etc.  
• Concerts, sewing classes, Latin dance classes, gardening and composting workshops are all held regularly.
• Partnering with Providence Public Schools on creating a summer reading program.
• Serve as warming centers, offer free meals at 7 libraries, open all day, aid unhoused people with mental health issues.

“This is why we are always going to be here,” says Michael Bordonaro, director of philanthropy. “We are resilient and respond with the information each community wants and needs. So much of what we do is in partnership.” Each library has neighborhood-based partnerships. There are system-wide initiatives (GED, ESL, summer-reading program) but each library is a microcosm of its own neighborhood and receives funding to implement specific programs. “We’re a small city but we’re a city of neighborhoods and we have to meet them where they are. We did a project once in a laundromat in Olneyville!”

All are excited about the endowment. “We wanted the integrity and respect of the Rhode Island Foundation name behind it. We are going to let it grow, keep reinvesting until we reach $100K. If the endowment could pay for the director position and library managers and support staff raises, the money that comes from city can go into programming.  

“This isn’t for us today; this is for the future. Planned giving, bequests, legacy gifts all support time-honored traditions of a library plus the future.”