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Library director says level funding in proposed FY27 budget would force cuts to hours and services
Summary
Cheryl Space, executive director of the Community Libraries of Providence, told the City Council's Ways and Means Committee that level funding in Mayor Smiley's proposed FY27 budget would leave CLPVD facing an estimated $300,000 shortfall, risking reduced branch hours and program cuts despite a new $2.5 million capital allocation for facilities.
Cheryl Space, executive director of the Community Libraries of Providence, told the City Council's Special Committee on Ways and Means that maintaining the $255,000 increase CLPVD received in fiscal year 2025 is "crucial" to operations and to securing full state aid for the system.
"Maintaining the $255,000 increase CLPVD received in fiscal year 25 is crucial to funding our operations," Space said during the public hearing. She said municipalities must level-fund libraries to receive full state aid, which for CLPVD is "close to a million dollars."
Space told the committee that the city provides about 65% of CLPVD's operating support and that…
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