2658 East Main Road | Portsmouth, RI | 02871 | (401) 683-9457 | Hours

What's Happening

.
No School on Tuesday! Gaming & Virtual Reality for grades 6 - 12 on April 2
Glasses will be available April 1st. Limit 2 per household.
The library will be closed Sunday March 31 for the Easter holiday
Local Maritime History on April 23 at 6:30 pm

Book Clubs

The 3rd Tuesday Book Club will be meeting on Tuesday, April 16 at 4:30 PM and 6:30 PM!  The April book is The Measure by Nikki Erlick.  Refreshments will be served.

Our Mystery Meetup Book Club is on to our fourth selection.  For April, we'll be reading a book with a murder, academia, and a secret diary with some pretty scary things to say.  We can't wait to leaf through The Stranger Diaries by Elly Griffiths on Tuesday, April 2 at 6:30 PM.  Copies are available to borrow at the Circulation Desk.

About Us

Portsmouth Free Public Library grew from a group of people called the Thursday Evening Group who met at the Guild House of St. Paul's Church and at members' homes to discuss literature and culture.  It was proposed that a meeting be held to explore the possibility of a town library.  About 50 of the town's influential people attended this meeting on March 18, 1897, and a charter was granted by RI Secretary of State Charles P. Bennett on March 26, 1897 to form a library "for the distribution of books and other literary purposes."  In March 2022, the Library celebrated its 125th anniversary and continues to provide Portsmouth citizens of all ages the best in reading material and so much more.  

The mission of Portsmouth Free Public Library is to serve as an essential resource that grows with our community, enhances the quality of life of our users, supports lifelong learning, and offers access to information in a variety of ways. We provide outstanding customer service and a welcoming environment for all.  The Library shall enthusiastically promote its functions in the community, provide full access to a broad variety of materials and information, including beyond the local collection, and function with efficiency and courtesy to provide a pleasant experience.

The Board of Trustees is the governing body of Portsmouth Free Public Library. It consists of members who are elected from the Portsmouth Free Public Library Association.  The Board meets on the first Monday of each month at 7 PM.  In case of a Monday holiday, the Board will meet on the second Monday of the month.  The first Monday in May is the annual meeting.

Association membership is open to all residents of the Town of Portsmouth who are eighteen years of age and pay annual dues. The Portsmouth Town Council may appoint two Trustees. The Trustees serve without remuneration of any kind. Non Residents may join the Association but do not have voting rights.

Hours & Contact

   
Mon - Wed 9-8
Thu - Fri 9-6
Sat 9-5
Sun 1-5

Website funded by The Book Nook

Address
2658 E Main Rd
Portsmouth, RI
02871

Phone

(401) 683-9457

Fax

(401) 683-5013

Upcoming Events

Mar
30
10:00am - 12:00pm
Join Dungeon Master Naiara for a one-shot adventure!  Become a hero on a dangerous quest to search for treasure, battle deadly foes, or even carry out daring rescues.   Haven...
Apr
01
9:00am - 9:30am
Summer Reading Poster Contest for Grades K to 5th. Make an orgininal poster to be used for the Library's Summer Reading Program. All submission due April 22, 2024. See PDF...
Apr
01
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Now is your chance to improve your skill at cribbage!  Join experienced cribbage players Carol and Jackie and play with others, newcomers and more experienced players alike...
Apr
01
7:00pm - 8:00pm
Library board meeting
Apr
01
Monday, April 01
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Now is your chance to improve your skill at cribbage!  Join experienced cribbage players Carol and Jackie and play with others, newcomers and more experienced players alike...
Apr
02
Tuesday, April 02
10:45am - 12:00pm
Marie is back with more chair yoga exercises!  Chair yoga is a gentle approach to Yoga that is practiced sitting in a chair, and, often, standing using our chair. ...
Apr
02
Tuesday, April 02
6:30pm - 7:30pm
Welcome to our new monthly book club, centered around mysteries! Join us each month on the first Tuesday at 6:30 to discuss that month's selection. We will read a variety of...
Apr
06
Saturday, April 06
10:00am - 12:00pm
Whether you’re joining a painting course for the first time or refreshing your painting skill, this class is a fun intro to watercolor that will light up your way! Each...
Apr
01
Monday, April 01
9:00am - 9:30am
Summer Reading Poster Contest for Grades K to 5th. Make an orgininal poster to be used for the Library's Summer Reading Program. All submission due April 22, 2024. See PDF...
Apr
02
Tuesday, April 02
2:30pm - 3:00pm
Join us for Afternoon Story Time with Portsmouth High School Student Daphne! This event is open to all children and families up to grade 5. No registration is required. It is...
Apr
04
Thursday, April 04
10:30am - 11:00am
Storytime for children age 3 and up!  This storytime is a drop event; no registration is required.
Apr
09
Tuesday, April 09
10:30am - 11:00am
Story Time for babies aged 0-18 months! This storytime is a drop event; no registration is required.
Mar
30
Saturday, March 30
10:00am - 12:00pm
Join Dungeon Master Naiara for a one-shot adventure!  Become a hero on a dangerous quest to search for treasure, battle deadly foes, or even carry out daring rescues.   Haven...
Apr
02
Tuesday, April 02
1:00pm - 4:00pm
Enjoy your day off from school with an afternoon of video games and virtual reality. One Up Games will bring their gaming systems, screens, and virtual reality set up so you...
Apr
02
Tuesday, April 02
6:30pm - 7:30pm
Welcome to our new monthly book club, centered around mysteries! Join us each month on the first Tuesday at 6:30 to discuss that month's selection. We will read a variety of...
Apr
13
Saturday, April 13
10:00am - 12:00pm
Join Dungeon Master Naiara for a one-shot adventure!  Become a hero on a dangerous quest to search for treasure, battle deadly foes, or even carry out daring rescues.   Haven...

Home