2021
Annual Report
A Year of Transition
and Hope
Reflecting on 2021, we realize the pandemic has taught us so much . . . about ourselves, our resilience, the enduring role of libraries, as well as PPL’s impact on people’s lives.
Coming off the high of our historic building transformation, we – as everyone has – faced unprecedented challenges. We put our plan for reopening and expansion on hold and quickly developed and launched alternative methods for delivering our programs and services to people who seemingly needed us more than ever.
As the pandemic continued, we came to understand our new reality . . . that the new ways of doing things were here to stay and there was now a heightened need to be even more present, if only virtually! With separation and uncertainty the norm, many turned to us for stability, a way to stay connected, and not only to provide a path forward for achieving personal goals and aspirations, but also a sustaining sense of hope and excitement about the future.
Having completed our own physical transformation, we were well-positioned to answer the call and we are so proud of the way everyone at PPL responded! We found once again, as is often the case during times of great disruption, that the need to change how we do things provides the best opportunity to innovate and grow.
And, with a new strategic plan formally guiding us through 2025, we’ve made significant progress on key goals, including strengthening PPL’s community collaborations and making significant strides on the critical foundational work to center racial equity in all our endeavors.
We will remember 2021 as a year when we were challenged to push ourselves – even when we thought we could be pushed no further – and as both a time of transition and pursuit of new ways to do what we do and a time of great hope for all those who we were able to connect with and be there for, providing just what was needed.
As always, we thank all of our dedicated supporters . . . so many who enable PPL not only to respond to the needs of all those we serve, but also continue to learn, grow, innovate, and co-create with our community to take everything we do to the next level.
Jack Martin, PPL Executive Director
Robert W. Edwards, Jr., Chair FY 2021
Reflecting on 2021
Rewilding:
Alive in the Churn
a collaborative and interactive exhibit
A collaborative project between PVD Young Makers and PPL, Rewilding: Alive in the Churn transformed the Library’s Joan T. Boghossian Exhibition Gallery into an interactive biome for artists and experimenters, creating a physical and virtual space that was at once iterative, collaborative, and ever-changing. Over the course of two months, participants were invited to join nice local artists to explore, experience, and experiment with ways of being in a world that is in flux. Rewilding: Alive in the Churn rejected the violence inherent in the ideal of the “clean slate,” which asserts that in order to create, we must first erase everything that has come before. Artists and members of the public working and reworking the space, by the hour and by the day, created a layered history that built upon itself continuously.
PPL ALUM
Cherai
With the help from people at the Library, I've found the career that brings me joy and will help me make the biggest impact on my community.
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Community Support Highlights
May 21, 2021 Enlightenment Award – Maureen McDonald
PPL proudly presented outstanding volunteer and advocate Maureen McDonald with its highest honor – The Enlightenment Award – virtually, at its 2021 Savor the Story Gala. Maureen has been a hard-working and truly committed benefactor of PPL for 40 years. Her association with PPL began in 1980 when her now departed husband, Dr. Charles McDonald, first served on the Library’s Corporation and then on the Board of Trustees. Believing deeply in the value of the Library as a vital community resource, Maureen and Charlie subsequently served as two of PPL’s most passionate ambassadors for more than 40 years (Dr. McDonald died January 10, 2021).
While Charlie shared his wisdom, serenity, and intellect over the course of his 20-year tenure, Maureen became very active in the Library’s development activities. Utilizing her professional public relations and fundraising experience, she became a driving force behind the creation and cultivation of the PPL Conservator Society, the Library’s major donor giving society, which she ultimately chaired for nearly 20 years. She understood the value of the Library and possessed the talent and expertise to reach out to donors, educate them, and continually engage them in PPL’s mission. Maureen increased awareness, as well as financial support, through unique special events and programs that showcased the Library’s value while appealing to the interests of long-term donors committed to education and lifelong learning. Through her creativity, enthusiasm, and gentle, but outcome-oriented leadership, she succeeded in recruiting and expanding a dedicated group of volunteers to work with her. Largely as a result of her efforts as chair, the Conservator Society flourished and continues to grow and be a critical component in the Library’s ongoing development efforts.
June ’21 – PPLGive Day Raises $16,880 during Spirit Week
PPL held its most successful PPLGive Day (June 9) to date during a virtual PPL Spirit Week, spotlighting live events and sharing #PPLGive Day posts on social media. With record one-day contributions, we were able to go above and beyond the $15,000 we set out to raise for a grand total of $16,880!
In an effort to lift up our fellow community organizations, PPL pledged to pay the fund-raising over our goal forward to these local organizations RIOT Rhode Island, Providence Student Union, ARISE. Thanks to our generous donors, PPL was able to donate $626 to each of the youth organizations we highlighted on Give Day!
PPL At-a-Glance
PPL ALUM
Badhan
I got my first job from PPL! It was a great experience. I learned about finances, worker rights, and on top of that, I got to retake Data Analytics and helped a few organizations while getting paid for it.
PPL ALUM
Badhan
I got my first job from PPL! It was a great experience. I learned about finances, worker rights, and on top of that, I got to retake Data Analytics and helped a few organizations while getting paid for it.
Financial Report
July 1, 2020 - June 30, 2021
Our Board of Trustees
Angel Arrazola
Trustee since 2022
Elizabeth Debs
Board Chair
Trustee since 2009
Lisa Decubellis
Trustee since 2017
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Louis Goldman
Trustee since 2022
Beverly Ledbetter
Trustee since 2022
Jane O’ Farrell
Trustee since 2019
Christopher Stevens
Treasurer
Trustee since 2019
Mary Ann Upton
Trustee since 2021
Dr. Joseph A. Chazan
Trustee since 2017
Sean Dagesse
Trustee since 2017
Robert W. Edwards Jr.
Trustee since 2015
Kathleen Hittner, MD
Trustee since 2015
Sally McDonald Willis
Trustee since 2015
Billy Kepner
Trustee since 2020
Sally Strachan
Trustee since 2018
Juan Wilson, Jr.
Secretary
Trustee since 2020
Sharon Lloyd Clark
Trustee since 2020
Adriana Dawson
Secretary
Trustee since 2021
Maia Farish
Trustee since 2016
Frank E. Eyetsemitan
Trustee since 2019
Katherine A. Messier
Trustee since 2020
Micah Salkind
Vice Chair
Trustee since 2017
Robert K. Taylor
Trustee since 2006
Meghan Rego
Trustee since 2020
PPL ALUM
Badhan
I got my first job from PPL! It was a great experience. I learned about finances, worker rights, and on top of that, I got to retake Data Analytics and helped a few organizations while getting paid for it.
PPL ALUM
Luisa
My family and I love Providence Public Library and we will be lifelong patrons. We truly believe the words of Doug Wilhelm apply to the PPL, “a library is a house of hope. It’s a place where we all, whatever our situation, can feed our ideas and develop our dreams.”
2021 Gifts and Grants
Each year countless volunteers, donors and organizations collaborate with and contribute their invaluable time and talent to the Library and their community. PPL and its Foundation recognize and thank these and all Fiscal Year 2021 supporters whose contributions ensure that the Library can continue its mission as a vibrant and vital cultural and educational resource that engages learners, inspires thinkers and connects diverse communities. Further, we proudly herald those who donate $1,000 or more to our Annual Fund as members of our Conservator Society. These generous private donors – individuals and family foundations – have long recognized the community’s need for lifelong learning opportunities and have continually ensured PPL’s ability to achieve its mission.
This list reflects the generous support of our donors, listed alphabetically, from July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021. We do our best to produce accurate lists and we apologize if we have misspelled or omitted a name. If you do notice an error, please feel free to reach out to us with any corrections.