Elaine Dickstein Community Library Fund for the Community Libraries of Providence

Elaine (Laikin) Dickstein was an ardent supporter of the community library system. She believed everyone should have access to a place that held far more than books and have a sense of belonging by owning a library card and checking out whatever they wanted for free. She saw the library as a place of gathering filled with words, ideas, wonder, and possibilities. She felt there was no better example of something that a community did right.

Elaine moved to Providence in the mid 1990’s and became a regular at the Providence Community library. She volunteered at the library’s book fair and was a “ringer” at the annual limerick contest. She was an avid puzzler, a proud member of the me/I grammar police, a lover of words and wit, and never without candy in her pocketbook. She had a special talent for engaging kids in learning through crafts and word games, activities that always involved lots of snack breaks.

Elaine strongly believed that all children inherently want to learn and should have access to whatever they need to meet their unique learning styles. She recognized that the community library could provide many of these resources in a safe environment where kids could eagerly come and explore. She also recognized that in order for the community library system to flourish, it required involvement and support by the members of the community it serves. Elaine’s family chose to honor her memory by creating a fund to benefit the nine neighborhood branches of the Providence Community Library. The fund aims to enrich out-of-school time programming by providing educational materials, refreshments, and other creative resources. The intent is to enhance access to programs that allow children to explore the world through books, write a clever limerick, engage in crafts, or have an after-school snack. Its mission is to help ensure that the library is a safe and joyous place, and that all children experience the library as the heart of their community.