Founded by library consultant Richard L. “Dick” Waters as HBW Associates, Inc. in 1979 and then operating as PROVIDENCE Associates Inc until May 2006, the firm has been providing successful consulting services to libraries throughout the country for over 29 years.

About Dick Waters

For the past 23 years Dick Waters has been a full-time library consultant. He is experienced in the specialized areas of library building planning, programming, design, cost estimating, and construction, in operational budgeting, long-range and strategic planning, and community analysis.

Prior to becoming full-time consultant, Dick spent 19 years with the Dallas Public Library.  He played a major role in all phases of the Dallas Central Library (646,000 sq. ft and 205 parking spaces and a $42.7 million project budget.  The project budget included $12+ million in private funds). Dick was also instrumental in the development of the Dallas system's long-range service plan and in the planning, design, and operation of 10 branch libraries ranging in size from 5,000 to 15,000 square feet.

Other experience includes posts with the Seattle Public Library, the Wichita (KS) Public Library, and the Public Libraries of Springfield-Greene County, MO.