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

What's Happening

Tickets are now on sale at the Circulation Desk for our 23rd Taste of Portsmouth fundraising event
The Library will close early on Friday November 22 so that our vendors and board members can prepare for the Taste of Portsmouth.
November 14th Hope for the Holidays: finding peace and working through grief during the holiday season
As the temperatures start to drop, it's a great way to connect with other fiber fans!

Book Clubs

The 3rd Tuesday Book Club will be meeting on Tuesday, December 17 at 4:30 and 6:30 PM!  In December we will be reading Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus.  Copies are available to borrow at the Circulation Desk.

Our Mystery Meetup Book Club is getting together on December 3rd to celebrate our first year of mystery reading!  We will also talk about possible book choices for the upcoming calendar year.  If you'd like to join us or recommend a title, email us at info@portsmouthlibrary.org.

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
Thurs & Fri 9-6
Sat 9-5
Sun 1-5

Website funded by The Book Nook

Address
2658 E Main Rd
Portsmouth, RI  02871
 
Email

Phone

(401) 683-9457

Fax

(401) 683-5013

Upcoming Events

Nov
20
10:30am - 11:00am
Storytime for toddlers aged 18 months to 3 years!  This storytime is a drop event; no registration is required.
Nov
20
1:00pm - 4:00pm
Expert rug hooker Roberta Conti will provide advice and enthusiasm for all rug-hookers, new and experienced alike.  Bring your projects and enjoy the company of others as you...
Nov
20
5:30pm - 7:30pm
Step into a world of magic and mystery as you join us for an exhilarating Dungeons & Dragons adventure! Become a legendary hero, embarking on dangerous quests to...
Nov
21
10:30am - 11:00am
Storytime for children age 3 and up!  This storytime is a drop event; no registration is required.
Nov
20
Wednesday, November 20
1:00pm - 4:00pm
Expert rug hooker Roberta Conti will provide advice and enthusiasm for all rug-hookers, new and experienced alike.  Bring your projects and enjoy the company of others as you...
Nov
20
Wednesday, November 20
5:30pm - 7:30pm
Step into a world of magic and mystery as you join us for an exhilarating Dungeons & Dragons adventure! Become a legendary hero, embarking on dangerous quests to...
Nov
22
Friday, November 22
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Portsmouth Free Public Library invites you to our 23rd annual "Taste of Portsmouth" fundraising event at the Library, 2658 East Main Road, on Friday, November 22, from 7 PM...
Nov
25
Monday, November 25
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...
Nov
20
Wednesday, November 20
10:30am - 11:00am
Storytime for toddlers aged 18 months to 3 years!  This storytime is a drop event; no registration is required.
Nov
21
Thursday, November 21
10:30am - 11:00am
Storytime for children age 3 and up!  This storytime is a drop event; no registration is required.
Nov
26
Tuesday, November 26
6:00pm - 7:00pm
This the bi-monthly meeting for Sky Kids, presented by Skyscrapers, Inc.  Please note that this meeting is exclusively for young astronomers who have pre-...
Dec
01
Sunday, December 01
5:30pm - 7:00pm
We are so pleased to celebrate our annual Tree Lighting with your family...and with Santa!  Come to the library on Sunday, December 1st at 5:30 pm to begin the celebration. ...
Nov
30
Saturday, November 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...
Dec
02
Monday, December 02
9:00am - 10:00am
Christmas Crafts are here!  This week, teens in grades 6-12 are invited to come to grab a kit from the Teen area of the library to make your own ornament at...
Dec
03
Tuesday, December 03
6:00pm - 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...
Dec
06
Friday, December 06
3:30pm - 4:30pm
Open to everyone! If you are any type of fiber artist (knitter, crocheter, tatting, hand sewing, felting, etc.,) please join us for an hour of camaraderie and discussion....

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