Press release from Occupy Providence to explain the purpose of the march:
“Two years ago, Providence Public Library (PPL) threatened to shut down nine neighborhood library branches amidst a budget crisis. When Providence Community Library (PCL), a non-profit organization, stepped in to rescue these libraries, the city entered in to a lease with Providence Public Library which will expire on January 1st, 2012. Until PPL transfers the buildings to the city as promised, PCL cannot make desperately needed repairs on the neglected buildings, and the future of the community libraries may be in jeopardy. PPL, a private organization with over $27 million in investments and endowment funds, is demanding that the cash-strapped City of Providence pay several million dollars for these buildings. PPL may be the legal owners of these buildings, but this private organization has no ethical right to them- they were built with substantial public funding, and they belong to the people of Providence! Join us for a rally to demand that Providence Public Library turn these library buildings over to the city! ”

Keeping local libraries open and available to the public is something to celebrate. In honor of Providence Community Library’s 1st Birthday on July 1, let there be cake!

Celebrations & Cake-cutting (and eating) at each neighborhood library at 4:30pm. Check here for celebration details.

And it’s also late fee amnesty day!  Return overdue materials on July 1, 2010 and the late fees are waived…you can have your cake and eat it too!

This year’s guest speaker at the annual Friend’s meeting will be Glenn Laxton. His current book is titled “Hidden History of Rhode Island (Not-To-Be-Forgotten Tales of the Ocean State)”

Glenn is a native Rhode Islander and an Emmy award winning journalist who has worked in broadcasting in Rhode Island for more than forty years. He produced and narrated the WPRI television series “Not to be Forgotten”, which chronicled the lives of unsung heroes of his home state. In addition to writing for “Your Smithfield Magazine”, Glen serves on the board of directors for the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame and the Blackstone Valley Historical Society.

He regularly gives talks and video presentations for historical societies and is the coauthor of “Rhode Island: A Genial History.” Glenn’s easy going style and knowledge of local history makes for an informative and entertaining evening.

Agenda for Friends of Rochambeau Branch Library Annual Meeting
6:30 PM, Monday, June 7th, 2010

Welcome and opening remarks – Chris Suchmann
Acceptance of Annual Reports – Ellen Foley
Election of Board Officers – Melissa Dubose
Friends Recognition Awards — Chris Suchmann
Hope High School Recognition Awards – Marcus Mitchell
Nieforth Book Fund – Caryl-Ann Nieforth
Friends Special Award – Chris Suchmann
Librarian Recognition Awards – Tom O’Donnell
Nieforth Award – Marjorie Martiesian
Introduction of Speaker – Neeltje Henneman
Keynote Speaker – Glenn Laxton
Book Signing and Collation

Reports from Committees: Meeting reports

Minutes from the Annual Meeting: Meeting minutes

Photos from the event:

WHEN: Thursday, March 18, 2010  ~  6:00pm – 8:30pm  ~ Rochambeau Library

WHAT: Stretch the St. Patricks Day celebration into a second evening of fun, refreshments, dancing and musical celebration!

From 6 to 7 p.m. join us for the awards celebration of our Friends of Rochambeau Annual Limerick Contest.

Then at 7:00 p.m., the Miller Family Steppers will (literally) kick off the evening for some of finest traditional musicians in RI, assembled especially for this event, The Rochamrocks!

COST: Free!!!

WHERE:  Rochambeau Library, Providence Community Library
708 Hope Street
Providence, RI 02906
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