[Summit] Fwd: Providence Community Libraries

[Theresa Mathiesen]

Hello, Summit Neighbors,

Elizabeth Grossman's question about what's going on with the
Providence Community Library and the Providence Public Library is a
good one.  I forwarded her letter to Karen McAninch, Business Agent
for the union representing the employees of both entities; she put me
in touch with Patricia Raub, a member of the Board of the Providence
Community Library; and Patricia put me in touch with Chris Suchmann,
the President of the Board of the Friends of Rochambeau.   Chris
explains the situation below.

Sincerely,
Elva Mathiesen


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Chris Suchmann <csuchmann at gmail.com>
Date: Wed, Oct 6, 2010 at 9:01 PM
Subject: Providence Community Libraries
To: elvamath at gmail.com


Hi Elva,

Providence Community Library is off to a very strong start since they
assumed operation of the nine "community libraries" last July (2009).
They have kept all nine libraries open, finished their first fiscal
year in the black, and substantially expanded their programs and even
expanded their hours (slightly).  They are achieving their vision of
maintaining a strong, community-based library model.  This model is
one that is being watched nationally as other states are monitoring
their progress.

However, there are two important concerns.  First, there are general
structural problems at many of the buildings.  While they have been
making some minor repairs and addressing some of the more immediate
building issues, they need grant funding in order to finance larger
repairs and renovations.  For instance, two of the buildings have no
air conditioning and had to be closed for more than 30 days this
summer.  Two others have extensive roof problems, resulting in chronic
leaks. And the list goes on. Their second concern is that they cannot
obtain the grant funding to deal with these problems until the
ownership of the buildings is resolved.  Providence Public Library
agreed to turn over the buildings to the City, but thus far PPL has
dragged its feet and refused to do so.  They MUST have the buildings
transferred to meet the eligibility requirements of the granting
agencies.  If these buildings continue to deteriorate, they face
possible closure due to safety reasons, as occurred at Washington Park
Library a few years ago.

The Library Friends groups are taking the lead in publicizing these
concerns in the hope that we will be able to exert pressure on PPL to
transfer ownership to the City. As president of the board of the
Friends of Rochambeau,  I encourage you and other Summit residents to
attend Rochambeau's informational meeting on November 1st. This is the
first important step in solving this critical problem for our
community libraries.

Thank you for your concern and I hope to meet you soon!

Sincerely,

Chris Suchmann