Reed: Public Libraries Can be Passports to Trip Planning & More Qualified Libraries Should Offer Passport Services

Press Release

Applying for a U.S. passport is the right of every American citizen and U.S. Senator Jack Reed wants to make it more convenient too.

There are currently 21 Passport Acceptance Facilities across the state, mostly at Post Offices. However, there is one at the Pawtucket Public Library and Senator Reed would like to see more qualified public libraries offer passport services.

Today, Senator Reed visited the Pawtucket Library and met with library staff and patrons, including Julie Fisher, the Passport Acceptance Agent who oversees the library's passport operations.

"Travelers heading overseas are required to have a passport, so applying for one should be convenient, not a paper chase. If you are planning a trip, libraries are a great place to get information about your destination and I'd like to see them become one-stop shops for people who need passport services as well. The pilot project here in Pawtucket has been very successful. It offers evening hours for busy moms and dads so they don't have to take time off work or take the kids out of school to apply for a passport. I'd like to see the successful program here replicated and expanded to other qualified public libraries across the state to make applying for a passport more convenient," said Reed. "Our libraries are community centers so accepting passport applications and taking official passport photos is just adding one more useful service. And the funds it generates get invested back into the community supporting free literacy and workforce development classes."

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