Providence, R.I.--The Phillips Memorial Library at Providence College has received a $150,000 grant from the Champlin Foundations to help fund continued renovations.

The non-profit foundations make direct grants to mostly Rhode Island-based, tax-exempt organizations. Many of the foundations' grants fund capital needs.

An important goal of the foundations is to fund organizations that will have the greatest impact on the broadest possible segment of the population. Another goal is to provide "hands on" equipment and facilities for those being served by these organizations.

The grant received by PC will support the ongoing renovation of the library, which began in 2005. The College is funding a major portion of the renovations through operating funds.

The first phase of renovations included the installation of new circulation and reference desks, flexible shelving, new overhead lighting, a new ADA-compliant elevator, new furnishings, a new fire suppression system, and sprinklers.

The most recent upgrades took place over this past summer and early fall. This round included relocating the Office of Academic Services (OAS) from the library basement to the second floor and creating a new Writing Center.

The new 6,300-square-foot OAS space includes a tutorial center, a computer lab, a student-athlete study room, offices, a private testing room, and a new electronic classroom. The classroom features a projection system, network capabilities, and laptop computers, among other technologies.

Dr. Donald R. Bailey, associate professor and library director, said thanks to funding support from the Champlin Foundations, more students and faculty than ever before are taking full advantage of what the library offers.

"The renovated and enhanced library has proven hugely attractive to students and faculty," said Bailey. "More of them are using the library; not only the newly renovated areas, but all of the building. It's become a campus destination."

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