06-R 334

2006 -- S 3168

Enacted 06/14/06

S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N

SUPPORTING THE APPOINTMENT OF PUBLIC REPRESENTATIVES TO THE BOARD OF THE PROVIDENCE PUBLIC LIBRARY

Introduced By: Senators Perry, Goodwin, Metts, and Pichardo

Date Introduced: June 14, 2006

     WHEREAS, The Providence Public Library Board performs the important function of

running the public libraries in the City of Providence; and

     WHEREAS, The General Assembly has a special interest in Rhode Island’s public

libraries under Article XII, Sec. 1 of the Rhode Island Constitution that states "...it shall be the

duty of the general assembly to promote public schools and pubic libraries and to adopt all means

which it may deem necessary and proper to secure to the people the advantages and opportunities

of education and public library service."; and

     WHEREAS, The City of Providence provides $3 million, which is 35.9% of the

operating budget of the library; and

     WHEREAS, The State of Rhode Island provides $2,245,863, which is 26.8% of the

operating budget of the library; and

      WHEREAS, In total, the taxpayers fund 62.7% of the library, yet the public currently

has only two representatives, the city solicitor and a representative of the Governor, on the thirty-

three member library board; and

      WHEREAS, The Providence Public Library Board has suggested eliminating six of the

nine branches of the library; most of these branches service the least affluent areas of the city; and

      WHEREAS, There is an urgent need for more public representation on the Providence

Public Library Board; and

      WHEREAS, Additional public appointments would enable persons with extensive

insight about the various library branches and the surrounding neighborhoods, to bring their

knowledge to the table; now, therefore be it

      RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby deems a hybrid public/private board governing the Providence Public Library to be in the

best interest of the people of Providence and the state; and be it further

      RESOLVED, That this Senate fully supports the appointment of additional public

representatives to the Board of the Providence Public Library; and be it further

      RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Providence Mayor David Cicilline, Providence

Council President John Lombardi, and President of the Providence Public Library Board, Mary

Olenn.

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