EAST PROVIDENCE — East Providence Public Libraries were recently granted $185,000 from The Champlin Foundation, one of the area's oldest philanthropic entities, while the Friends of the East Providence Public Library non-profit support group received a separate gift of $20,000.

The donation to the libraries will be used to perform interior improvements at the Weaver Branch on Grove Avenue, including new service desks and seating for patrons. Library staff have identified and requested modifications to the existing service desks to enhance their ability to offer timely and welcoming customer service and allow for more interdepartmental collaboration in providing library services.

“The interior improvement project is the culmination of more than a year's worth of work by a library staff team who are passionate about transforming the library to improve our ability to best serve the community,” East Providence Library Director Meredith Bonds-Harmon said. “This project will provide improvements needed for the Library to fulfill its mission of being a welcoming space to facilitate self-education and promote lifelong learning.”

Added Mayor Bob DaSilva, “We are so thankful for the generosity shown by the Champlin Foundation and the Friends of the East Providence Public Library, both organizations which have always been so responsive to the capital needs of so many communities including ours. These funds will go a long way towards helping the Weaver Library enhance its abilities to bring the best possible services to the people of our city.”

The donation to the Friends organization will be used in support of its annual book sales events, including its marquee efforts in the spring and fall. The Friends also have a sales table at the monthly block parties hosted at Weaver during the summer, which replaced the weekly farmers markets formerly held there when the Friends also had a similar setup.

“On behalf of the Friends of the East Providence Public Library, we were happy to contribute to the funding for the interior upgrades through the proceeds of our book sales,” said organization president Cheryl Muth.