Group seeks control of library branches

PROVIDENCE - A new nonprofit organization said it has a plan to keep five Providence neighborhood library branches slated for closure up and running.

Marcus Mitchell, board chairman of the Providence Community Library, outlined his plans at a City Hall news conference Monday.

The nine library branches are currently operated by the Providence Public Library, which has announced the closure of five branches by this summer.  The PPL said it doesn’t have enough money to support the size of the system.

The plan is currently before Mayor David Cicilline, who has said he opposes the closures. He also has the option of selecting a new group to run the branches.

Mitchell said his organization pledges to raise funds for and operate a branch library system without further layoffs. He calls the PPL’s plan “unacceptable.“

The Providence Public Library responded in a statement.

“Without seeing the Community Library’s proposal, we don’t know that the new organization has the infrastructure capable of administering the branch system, including business, human resources, building management, and professional librarians.  As with any new organization, we would be concerned that it has the financial ability to steward the Library for future generations,“ the statement said.

The Community Library group said it does have the means and the resources to run the library branch system efficiently.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.