Friends of Library Had a Very Good Year

Friends of the East Providence Public Library reflected on a successful year in 2025. The Friends provided more than $27,000 for new or continuing projects to benefit local residents, as well as Rhode Islanders in schools, hospital and community service agencies throughout the state. They donated 4,000 books to people of all ages to encourage reading and promote lifelong learning. The largest contribution, $20,000, was made to Weaver Library for interior improvements to redesign the library to better serve the needs of patrons. Friends funded nearly $4,000 in passes for library patrons to a dozen museums and educational venues for free or reduced-price admission. They furnished prizes for the Children’s and Teen Summer Reading Programs, as well as coupons for free books for the Summer Reading Program for patrons of all ages. They supplied prizes for free drawings for adults and children at the Summer Block Party.

The Friends allocated $1,200 to Fuller Creative Learning Center to purchase 5 sewing machines and funded a course for the Center Assistant to learn sewing machine repair and maintenance. In the fall, they provided $300 to support Pumpkin Stroll with pumpkins and prizes for pumpkin decorating and costume contests. For the holidays, the Friends funded the purchase of poinsettias for Weaver and Riverside Libraries and Fuller Creative Learning Center, to add to the festive décor. The volunteer organization paid for a four-week course to teach teens to be Dungeon Masters for Dungeons and Dragons in response to a renewed interest in the fantasy role-playing game. They also allocated $200 to the enable the library’s social worker to purchase bus passes to assist community members in accessing needed services.

The Friends of the Library sponsor two major book sales each year. Following each sale, they donate unsold books to community organizations. In 2025, Friends of East Providence Public Library donated 4,000 books to local schools, hospitals, organizations and agencies. They include Providence Books Through Bars, Amos House, Miriam Hospital, Rhode Island Hospital, Rhode Island Veteran’s Hospital, Urban Collaborative Accelerated Program, East Providence Senior Center, Black Lives Matter RI, Roger Williams Botanical Center, East Providence Parks and Recreation Department Summer Camp, Pomham Rocks Lighthouse Museum and Inclusion Family Counseling Center. They also provided books to East Providence teachers for classroom use and to local residents with Little Free Libraries to replenish their supply of books.

The Friends donated 1,900 books for free distribution to attendees at library-sponsored events throughout the city, such as the Summer Block Party, the Thousand Books Before Kindergarten program, the Little Library at Fuller Creative Learning Center and at weekly Free Stuff Friday at the Never-Ending Book Sale at Weaver Library.

Thirty-four volunteers actively participated in Friends’ activities in 2025, volunteering more than 1,400 hours. The Friends thank the community for their support of the Spring and Fall Book Sales and Never-Ending Book Sales at Weaver and Riverside Library. Residents can help to continue the efforts of The Friends by joining the group. Annual membership dues are $10 per person and can be paid at Weaver or Riverside Library or mailed to Friends of East Providence Public Library, 41 Grove Avenue, East Providence, RI 02914. Donations are always welcome.