Need a passport? Check out yours at the Pawtucket Public Library

By Gina Macris
Rhode Island Library Report

         PAWTUCKET, R.I. (April 10, 2013) The Pawtucket Public Library has scored two firsts:

• It's the first library in Rhode Island to open a U. S. passport office
• And it is the first organization to offer passport services in the evening.

      And those who use the library for U.S.  passport services will be helping support adult literacy and workforce development classes offered free to adult immigrants.

       U.S. citizens planning to travel abroad may apply for passports at the library, 13 Summer St., from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
      Patrons may use a passport photo machine at the library for a fee of $10.            Julie Fischer, passport manager, said that library personnel are available to go to other locations, "off-site," to provide passport acceptance services.
      All U. S. passport offices charge the same fees, which are set by the federal government. But a portion of the fee paid at the library will support the Rhode Island Family Literacy Initiative, said Karisa Tashian, the literacy initiative coordinator.     

        The Pawtucket Public Library is one of five library systems participating in the literacy initiative, which provides 17 classes in 9 libraries and community centers in four communities.
        The classes include English as a second language, citizen preparation, distance learning and workforce development.
     Besides the Pawtucket library, other participating library systems are the Cranston, East Providence, the Providence Public and the Providence Community libraries.
         For more information about passport applications, see the Pawtucket Public Library’s website. The Department of State also gives complete information about the passport application process at its website.

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