The Community Libraries of Providence (CLPVD) has established the Ellen Schwartz Memorial Fund to support future activities at the Library to remember Ellen, one of the four “Founders” who helped create CLPVD in the 2000s. CLPVD will host a special celebration of Ellen’s life at Washington Park Library in the coming months and we will announce details shortly.
Ellen was a volunteer at Washington Park Library when she became involved in a public campaign that saved Providence' s neighborhood libraries from closure. Her determination, tenacity and skills as an accountant played a significant part in the creation of CLPVD as an independent 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, which took over the management of the nine branches from Providence Public Library(PPL). Today, CLPVD is the largest library system in Rhode Island.
Ellen remained Treasurer of the Board of Directors of CLPVD from 2009-20 and participated in the growth of the new Library on many levels. Today, CLPVD serves nearly half a million visitors across the city each year and we will always remain in Ellen’s debt.
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