R.I. Gen. Laws § 29-4-3: City or town appropriations.

Any town or city not owning a free public library may annually, by the majority vote of the electors of the town qualified to vote and voting on the proposition, or by vote of the city council of the city, appropriate such sum or sums as it shall deem proper for the maintenance and increase of any free public library therein and for land, buildings, and capital improvements for any free public library.