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2006 -- S 3168 | |
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LC03500 | |
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND | |
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IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY | |
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JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2006 | |
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S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N | |
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SUPPORTING THE APPOINTMENT OF PUBLIC REPRESENTATIVES TO THE BOARD | |
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OF THE PROVIDENCE PUBLIC LIBRARY | |
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Introduced By: Senators Perry, Goodwin, Metts, and Pichardo | |
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Date Introduced: June 14, 2006 | |
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Referred To: Senate read and passed | |
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WHEREAS, The Providence Public Library Board performs the important function of |
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running the public libraries in the City of Providence; and |
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WHEREAS, The General Assembly has a special interest in Rhode Island’s public |
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libraries under Article XII, Sec. 1 of the Rhode Island Constitution that states "...it shall be the |
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duty of the general assembly to promote public schools and pubic libraries and to adopt all means |
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which it may deem necessary and proper to secure to the people the advantages and opportunities |
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of education and public library service."; and |
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WHEREAS, The City of Providence provides $3 million, which is 35.9% of the |
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operating budget of the library; and |
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WHEREAS, The State of Rhode Island provides $2,245,863, which is 26.8% of the |
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operating budget of the library; and |
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WHEREAS, In total, the taxpayers fund 62.7% of the library, yet the public currently |
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has only two representatives, the city solicitor and a representative of the Governor, on the thirty- |
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three member library board; and |
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WHEREAS, The Providence Public Library Board has suggested eliminating six of the |
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nine branches of the library; most of these branches service the least affluent areas of the city; and |
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WHEREAS, There is an urgent need for more public representation on the Providence |
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Public Library Board; and |
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WHEREAS, Additional public appointments would enable persons with extensive |
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insight about the various library branches and the surrounding neighborhoods, to bring their |
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knowledge to the table; now, therefore be it |
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RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations |
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hereby deems a hybrid public/private board governing the Providence Public Library to be in the |
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best interest of the people of Providence and the state; and be it further |
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RESOLVED, That this Senate fully supports the appointment of additional public |
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representatives to the Board of the Providence Public Library; and be it further |
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RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to |
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transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Providence Mayor David Cicilline, Providence |
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Council President John Lombardi, and President of the Providence Public Library Board, Mary |
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Olenn. |
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LC03500 | |
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