By the Numbers
Açaí Bowls
LITERARY LOVE
SEPTEMBER 5-6, 2025 DOWNTOWN PROVIDENCE
PVDFEST. COM
CO-PRODUCED BY THE CITY OF PROVIDENCE AND FIRSTWORKS
80 percent of its funding from private donations and is operated by a private board of trustees. Martin describes the library as a“ safe space” where people of all backgrounds can find resources and connect over a shared love of knowledge.
“ It’ s people from all walks of life coming in,” he says.
In 2018, the library began a $ 25 million renovation that includes new teen and workshop spaces, redesigned stacks and special collections, and a grand atrium staircase. The new design, Debs says, offers a more accessible space for patrons. Foot traffic has increased in recent years, and visitors can even stop into CHOP, the restaurant and coffee shop run by the Genesis Center on the first floor.
“ I think it’ s more relevant than it ever was,” she says.“ It’ s a place where individual curiosity can be answered and explored.”
For Martin, it’ s more than just a place to oversee books. He met his husband while working at the library. His husband, then a reporter on assignment for the Narragansett Times, was visiting to research the fishing industry. For the 150th anniversary, patrons are invited to share their own PPL stories by visiting the library’ s website.
“ It doesn’ t matter what you believe or who you want to be in charge, we are here for you,” Martin says. provlib. org / 150- anniversary 🆁
By the Numbers
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Açaí Bowls
1878 Year the library opened 10,307 Volumes in the original collection 350,000-plus Materials in the collection now 100,000-plus In-person visitors in 2024 c. 2,000 BCE Age of the oldest materials 50-plus Countries represented by the library’ s ESL and citizenship students 160 Story times annually 2,240,331 Total resources used by patrons in 2024
50 RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY I AUGUST 2025