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

What's Happening

Fred Zilian, PhD. will be here on May 7 at 6:30 pm
Our Plant Sale returns! May 31st from 9 am to 1 pm
The next meeting of the Portsmouth 250th Committee is May 14.
May 19 at 6 pm: My Favorite Maritime Epic Fails

Book Clubs

The 3rd Tuesday Book Clubs' next meetings will be April 15 at 4:30 and 6:30.  The book we will be discussing is King : a Life by Jonathan Eig. 

May's Mystery Meetup will be on Tuesday May 6th at 6:30pm.  We will be discussing Blue Monday by Nicci French. 

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

 

Upcoming Events

Apr
23
10:30am - 11:00am
Storytime for toddlers aged 18 months to 3 years!  This storytime is a drop event; no registration is required.
Apr
23
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...
Apr
24
10:30am - 11:00am
Storytime for children age 3 and up!  This storytime is a drop event; no registration is required.
Apr
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...
Apr
23
Wednesday, April 23
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...
Apr
28
Monday, April 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...
Apr
28
Monday, April 28
6:00pm - 7:30pm
Please stop by the Library to hear local author Joe Salerno talk about his new book The Decision, about a well-respected attorney, Jonathan Silverman, who finds himself drawn...
Apr
29
Tuesday, April 29
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
23
Wednesday, April 23
10:30am - 11:00am
Storytime for toddlers aged 18 months to 3 years!  This storytime is a drop event; no registration is required.
Apr
24
Thursday, April 24
10:30am - 11:00am
Storytime for children age 3 and up!  This storytime is a drop event; no registration is required.
Apr
29
Tuesday, April 29
10:30am - 11:00am
Story Time for babies aged 0-18 months! This storytime is a drop event; no registration is required.
Apr
30
Wednesday, April 30
10:30am - 11:00am
Storytime for toddlers aged 18 months to 3 years!  This storytime is a drop event; no registration is required.
May
02
Friday, May 02
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....
May
16
Friday, May 16
6:00pm - 8:00pm
SPACE IS LIMITED!  Open to grades 6-8 ONLY (no exceptions will made for younger or older siblings). Includes pizza, nerf bullets, and nerf guns. You are allowed to bring your...
May
17
Saturday, May 17
10:00am - 12:00pm
Ask, and you shall receive! Join us for our new Saturday edition of Fiber Arts - now you have TWO opportunities and times/days to join in the fun! Looking for a place to work...
Jun
06
Friday, June 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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