Central Falls, Rhode Island: "Welcome to YOUR Library"

Adams Memorial Library

The Money May Be Lacking, but a Library Refuses to Go Quietly. (The New York Times, 10/1/2011)

Excerpt: But some people refused to close the book on a place that deeply mattered to this financially poor, ethnically rich city. Central Falls has more than enough boarded-up buildings; no need to add its library, too.

The library’s survival hinged on the fact that while its operating costs are covered by the city, the building itself is owned by a private trust. Seizing the moment, the trust’s board of directors used this enforced downtime to make repairs in the old building and to install a library card system for Central Falls alone.

A month later, on Aug. 1, the Adams Memorial Library reopened with limited hours on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Its reference and checkout desks are now staffed by a rotating band of volunteers, including Jerauld Adams, 41, the board chairman of the library trust, and Thomas Shannahan, 68, a board member and former director of the library. They hung a sign on the front door that said, with some defiance:

“Welcome to YOUR library.”

Related posts:
Fundraiser for Adams Memorial Library.  (9/29/2011)
Library in bankrupt Central Falls Rhode Island reopens with an all-volunteer staff. (8/17/2011)
Central Falls may reopen its library in the fall.  (7/6/2011)
Central Falls Rhode Island closes its public library.  (7/6/2011)