In the wake of declining use of the three branch libraries in the East Providence (R.I.) Public Library System, Director Roberta A. E. Cairns refused to listen to suggestions to close them. In early December, the library's board of trustees instead agreed to her proposals for stimulating greater use of the branches, according to the December 16 Providence Journal.
The Fuller, Riverside, and Rumford branches will receive additional dollars for popular reading materials and videos, a volunteer tutorial program that will help elementary students with homework, and other expanded services.
Posted December 22, 1997.