East Smithfield Public Library Getting Copier, Web Server Thanks To Grants

East Smithfield Public Library will be installing a new copy machine soon, thanks to a $8,700 grant from the Champlin Foundations received in November.

The grant is the latest boon from the Foundation over the last seven years. "Champlin, it's been great for the public libraries," said Frank Floor, assistant director of East Smithfield Public Library. "If we didn't have them, I don't know what we'd do."

The Champlin Foundations - there are three, according to their website - were created by the Champlin family between 1932 and 1975. Since 1932, The Champlin Foundations have distributed over $442 million, almost entirely in Rhode Island.

Equipment wise, Floor said, the library's in good shape, thanks to continuing grants from the Champlin Foundations.

A few other items will be provided for the library this year thanks to the Ocean State Libraries Consortium (OSL), Floor said. Grants from the OSL allowed them to install three reciept printers for $900 and four barcode scanners for $600. A second server for the library's website, soon to be installed for $3,500, is also thanks to the OSL, Floor said.

Floor said going forward, the library ought to be expanded or moved to a new location, which they haven't won the money for from the Town Budget. In fact, he said, the town's libraries budget have been frozen for the last four years.

Floor said next year they hope to win a grant for a consultant to help them make a case for an expansion or a move.