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

What's Happening

As the temperatures start to drop, it's a great way to connect with other fiber fans!
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We have three great book clubs; stop in and give one a try!
October 30, from 5:30 to 7:30pm

Book Clubs

The 3rd Tuesday Book Club will be meeting on Tuesday, October 15 at 4:30 and 6:30 PM!  In October we will be reading The Food of a Younger Land by Mark Kurlansky.  Copies are available to borrow at the Circulation Desk.

Our Mystery Meetup Book Club is reading the first in the Will Trent series about a Georgia Bureau of Investigation officer seeking a serial rapist in Atlanta.  Join us for a discussion of Triptych by Karin Slaughter on Tuesday, November 5 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
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

Oct
15
9:00am - 10:00am
Halloween 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 build a tasty oreo spider treat...
Oct
15
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. ...
Oct
15
10:30am - 11:00am
Story Time for babies aged 0-18 months! This storytime is a drop event; no registration is required.
Oct
15
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. ...
Oct
15
Tuesday, October 15
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. ...
Oct
15
Tuesday, October 15
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. ...
Oct
15
Tuesday, October 15
4:30pm - 5:30pm
Join us for a discussion of...
Oct
15
Tuesday, October 15
6:30pm - 7:30pm
Join us for a discussion of...
Oct
15
Tuesday, October 15
10:30am - 11:00am
Story Time for babies aged 0-18 months! This storytime is a drop event; no registration is required.
Oct
15
Tuesday, October 15
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-...
Oct
16
Wednesday, October 16
10:30am - 11:00am
Storytime for toddlers aged 18 months to 3 years!  This storytime is a drop event; no registration is required.
Oct
17
Thursday, October 17
10:30am - 11:00am
Storytime for children age 3 and up!  This storytime is a drop event; no registration is required.
Oct
15
Tuesday, October 15
9:00am - 10:00am
Halloween 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 build a tasty oreo spider treat...
Oct
21
Monday, October 21
9:00am - 10:00am
Halloween 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 ...
Oct
26
Saturday, October 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...
Nov
05
Tuesday, November 05
5:00pm - 5:45pm
Get ready for the movie premiere with a Wicked Cake Decorating Contest!   Teens in grades 6-12 are invited to the library on their day off to decorate a cake inspired by...

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