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

What's Happening

Local Beekeeper Mark Hilyard presents on Monday July 28 at 6:30 pm.
Learn the basics of Floral Embroidery with Karen Katin on Tuesday August 19 at 6 pm
Special Summer Event with Marie! July 31st at 10:30 am.
Bee Inspired! Join our Adult Summer Program!

Book Clubs

The 3rd Tuesday Book Clubs will meet on Tuesday, August 19 at 4:30 PM and 6:30 PM.  We will be reading The Life We Bury by Alan Eskens. 

August's Mystery Meetup will be on Tuesday August 5th at 6:30pm.  We will be discussing Under Orders by Dick Francis.

Copies of the book club titles are available 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

Summer Hours  
Mon - Tues 9-8
Wed - Fri 9-5
Sat 9-1
Sun Closed

Website funded by The Book Nook

Address
2658 E Main Rd
Portsmouth, RI  02871
 
Email

Phone

(401) 683-9457

 

Upcoming Events

Jul
22
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. ...
Jul
22
12:30pm - 1:45pm
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. ...
Jul
22
5:30pm - 6:30pm
Make it vintage!  Teens in grades 6-12 are invited to the library to re-design or embellish a pair of jean shorts you bring from home.  Karen Katin, owner of The Stitchery,...
Jul
23
10:30am - 11:30am
Whoooo’s awake when the sun goes down? Join an Audubon Society of Rhode Island educator for a hands-on science adventure all...
Jul
22
Tuesday, July 22
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. ...
Jul
22
Tuesday, July 22
12:30pm - 1:45pm
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. ...
Jul
26
Saturday, July 26
9:30am - 12:30pm
Come join us for a variety of American and Euro style board and card games, such as Terraforming Mars, Clank!, Carcassonne, Puerto Rico, Settlers of Catan, etc. Everyone is...
Jul
28
Monday, July 28
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...
Jul
23
Wednesday, July 23
10:30am - 11:30am
Whoooo’s awake when the sun goes down? Join an Audubon Society of Rhode Island educator for a hands-on science adventure all...
Jul
24
Thursday, July 24
10:30am - 11:30am
Discover the wild (and sometimes wacky) world of predators and prey in this interactive science program with the Audubon Society of...
Jul
30
Wednesday, July 30
3:00pm - 4:00pm
Program Full Join Us for Puppet Storytime with Leigh Baltzer! Through Me To You Puppetry invites you to...
Aug
07
Thursday, August 07
3:00pm - 4:00pm
Join us for a fun and lively discussion of Gamerville by Johnnie Christmas! This graphic novel adventure follows Max as he gets...
Jul
22
Tuesday, July 22
5:30pm - 6:30pm
Make it vintage!  Teens in grades 6-12 are invited to the library to re-design or embellish a pair of jean shorts you bring from home.  Karen Katin, owner of The Stitchery,...
Jul
26
Saturday, July 26
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...
Jul
28
Monday, July 28
9:00am - 8:00pm
Teens are welcome to pick up a YouTube Paint Party kit in the Teen Area starting Monday morning. Kits are for teens in rising 6th-12th grade only, and only 1 kit per teen is...
Aug
01
Friday, August 01
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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