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

What's Happening

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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 traveling to Chicago, where women are disappearing from a suburban neighborhood.  Something a little creepy for October, when we will be reading Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica on Tuesday, October 1st 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
07
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 paint your own glow in the dark...
Oct
07
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...
Oct
07
7:00pm - 8:00pm
Library board meeting
Oct
08
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
07
Monday, October 07
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...
Oct
08
Tuesday, October 08
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
08
Tuesday, October 08
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
09
Wednesday, October 09
6:30pm - 7:45pm
Please join Laurie Greaney to discuss what DAR is, how to join, and how DAR will serve the community. Portsmouth has an important place in America's history, from Anne...
Oct
08
Tuesday, October 08
10:30am - 11:00am
Story Time for babies aged 0-18 months! This storytime is a drop event; no registration is required.
Oct
09
Wednesday, October 09
10:30am - 11:00am
Storytime for toddlers aged 18 months to 3 years!  This storytime is a drop event; no registration is required.
Oct
10
Thursday, October 10
10:30am - 11:00am
Storytime for children age 3 and up!  This storytime is a drop event; no registration is required.
Oct
10
Thursday, October 10
4:00pm - 5:00pm
Pokemon Club at the Portsmouth Library! Have cards at home but not sure how to play? Love playing and want to do it more? Head to library to learn and play with friends!...
Oct
07
Monday, October 07
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 paint your own glow in the dark...
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 create a meal using the mystery...
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...

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