Image shows the Administrative Hall and the back door of Special Collections on the third floor of the Providence Public Library.

Image shows a detail of the vaulted ceilings of the third floor corridor of Providence Public Library's original building. Marble Corinthian columns support the ornate vaulted corridor ceiling.

Image shows the Providence Public Library at the corner of Washington and Empire Streets. Pedestrians are crossing the intersection.

Image shows patrons in a reading room of the Providence Public Library. The reading room was located in the Great Hall on the first floor of the Washington Street building. Two library workers sit behind an information desk in the center of the room. A reading room in the background later became the Ship Room.

Image shows a view of the Providence Public Library at the corner of Washington and Empire Streets. The Washington Street entrance and 1953 addition are both visible. Automobiles are parked along Empire Street and in a parking lot across from the Washington Street entrance.

Image shows a view of the Providence Public Library at the corner of Washington and Empire Streets. The Washington Street entrance and 1953 addition are both visible. Automobiles are parked along Empire Street and in a parking lot across from the Washington Street entrance.

Image shows the side lawn of the Providence Public Library facing Greene Street. The outdoor reading area is visible at the rear of the library facing Fountain Street.

Image shows the corner of the Providence Public Library at Green and Washington Streets.

Image shows the outdoor reading area of the Providence Public Library at the corner of Fountain and Greene Streets.

Image shows the rear side of the Providence Public Library at the corner of Fountain and Green Streets. The garage, side yard, and outdoor reading area are visible. A police vehicle is parked on Fountain Street outside the library.

Image shows the Providence Public Library at the intersection of Empire and Washington Streets. People cross through the intersection as cars travel in the streets.

Image shows the Providence Public Library at the corner of Empire and Washington Streets. Pedestrians walk on the sidewalks outside the library.

Aerial view of the Providence Public Library. The image shows both the original building and new addition.

Image shows a view of the 1953 addition of the Providence Public Library. A police officer directs traffic at the corner of Empire and Washington Streets. A group of young men holding books cross the Empire street in the foreground.

Image shows a view of the 1953 addition of the Providence Public Library. A police officer directs traffic at the corner of Empire and Washington Streets. A group of young men holding books cross the Empire street in the foreground.

Image shows a view of the 1953 addition on the Providence Public Library at the corner of Empire and Washington Streets.

Image shows a view of the 1953 addition on the Providence Public Library at the corner of Empire and Washington Streets.

Image shows a view of the 1953 addition on the Providence Public Library at the corner of Empire and Washington Streets.

Image shows a view of the Providence Public Library at the corner of Washington and Empire Streets. The Washington Street entrance and 1953 Empire Street addition are both visible. Cars are parked along Empire Street and in a parking lot across from the Washington Street entrance.

Image shows a view of the Providence Public Library at the corner of Washington and Empire Streets. The Washington Street entrance and 1953 addition are both visible. The photograph was taken using a fisheye lens.

Image shows a view of the Providence Public Library at the corner of Washington and Empire Streets. The Washington Street entrance and 1953 addition are both visible. The photograph was taken using a fisheye lens.

Image shows a view of the 1953 addition on the Providence Public Library at the corner of Empire and Washington Streets.

Image shows a police officer directing traffic in the intersection of Empire and Washington Streets. A family crosses Empire Street in the foreground. An American flag hangs above the Empire Street entrance on the 1953 addition.

Image shows the Providence Public Library at the corner of Washington and Empire Streets. Cars travel through the intersection. Men stand on the corner in the foreground under an awning advertising candy, fancy fruit, and tobacco.

Image shows patrons reading in the outdoor reading room outside the Providence Public Library. Patrons sit at tables shaded by umbrellas and on wooden lawn chairs.

Image shows patrons reading in the reference reading room, later the Ship Room of the Washington Street side of the Providence Public Library. Large books lay on a long wooden table in the foreground. A librarian sits at a small desk in the foreground.

Image shows the Providence Public Library at the corner of Washington and Greene streets. Cars are parked along Green Street. Two people walk up the front steps to the entrance of the library facing Washington Street.

Image shows the front entrance of the Providence Public Library facing Washington Street. Sign indicating hours and advertising an exhibition in the library hang on the exterior of the building on either side of the portico.

Image shows the exterior of the Providence Public Library facing Washington Street.

Image shows detail of the north west view of the library. A man is visible in a ground floor window looking out at the photographer.