Unionized workers at the Community Libraries of Providence picket

"We are also working families. Being open until 8 pm four nights a week is what helps working families get to the library, not losing late nights and shifting 30 minutes.”

Unionized workers at the Community Libraries of Providence (CLPVD) held an informational picket on Monday and have plans for two more over the next two days, following two years of repeatedly delayed contract negotiations, lack of transparency, and unilateral decision-making by library administrators.

From a USAW-RI press release

The CLPVD was founded in 2009 by a group of community members dedicated to assuring the continued operation of nine neighborhood libraries. Among all locations, CLPVD circulated 468,890 items (including print and digital). Additionally, 68,930 patrons attended 5,287 free library programs in FY 2025. CLPVD’s non-administrative librarians, specialists, and clerks are members of the United Service and Allied Workers of Rhode Island union (USAW-RI). USAW-RI, founded in 2003, also represents employees with CLPVD Facilities & Safety, Providence Public Library, the Brown University Libraries, Brown University Dining, Brown University Facilities, the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority, and more.

USAW-RI members at CLPVD have been working without an active contract for over two years. Library administrators repeatedly delayed meetings with members to discuss a new contract, at times even pausing negotiations for several months. On top of this, library administrators recently made a unilateral decision to alter library hours at all nine locations, the latest step in a pattern of continued disregard for CLPVD’s unionized employees and violating the libraries’ contractual recognition of the union.

The details for the rest of the pickets are as follows:

Tuesday, August 4, 5:30-7:30 pm at South Providence Library (441 Prairie Ave.) Wednesday, August 5, 5:30-7:30 pm at Smith Hill Library (31 Candace St.)

The picketing workers are asking the public to support their cause by joining them on the picket line on any of these three dates.

The proposed changes to CLPVD’s hours, set to take effect on September 8, would pose a significant challenge for both staff and library patrons. CLPVD staff are being told their daytime shifts will now be 9:30 am - 6:00 pm. Such a change will have a significant negative impact on staff, many of whom have reported challenges with childcare, second jobs, and more in light of these proposed changes. These changes will negatively impact patron experiences with the library, while providing very little benefit to evening accessibility. At the same time, larger CLPVD libraries will reduce evening hours, which would also affect staff schedules and public accessibility.

According to a youth services librarian, “We are also working families. Being open until 8 pm four nights a week is what helps working families get to the library, not losing late nights and shifting 30 minutes.”