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

What's Happening

Our Plant Sale returns! May 31st from 9 am to 1 pm
Learn about Lyme and what you can do to protect yourself with Mary Lorusso-DiBarra
The library will be closed Sunday May 25 and Monday May 26
Our summer hours begin Tuesday, May 27

Book Clubs

The 3rd Tuesday Book Clubs will meet on Tuesday, June 17 at 6 PM.  Both groups will meet at this time.  This is our Annual Meeting where we will be book talking and voting on the titles for the upcoming year. 

June’s Mystery Meetup will be on Tuesday June 3rd at 6:30pm.  We will be discussing Skink: No Surrender by Carl Hiaasen. 

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

May
22
10:30am - 11:00am
Storytime for children age 3 and up!  This storytime is a drop event; no registration is required.
May
27
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. ...
May
27
10:30am - 11:00am
Story Time for babies aged 0-18 months! This storytime is a drop event; no registration is required.
May
27
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. ...
May
27
Tuesday, May 27
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. ...
May
27
Tuesday, May 27
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. ...
May
27
Tuesday, May 27
6:30pm - 7:30pm
Join Mary Lorusso-DiBara for a presentation of one of the most prevalent public health issues in Rhode Island – Ticks and Lyme Disease. Mary will discuss everything from...
May
28
Wednesday, May 28
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...
May
22
Thursday, May 22
10:30am - 11:00am
Storytime for children age 3 and up!  This storytime is a drop event; no registration is required.
May
27
Tuesday, May 27
10:30am - 11:00am
Story Time for babies aged 0-18 months! This storytime is a drop event; no registration is required.
May
28
Wednesday, May 28
10:30am - 11:00am
Storytime for toddlers aged 18 months to 3 years!  This storytime is a drop event; no registration is required.
May
29
Thursday, May 29
10:30am - 11:00am
Storytime for children age 3 and up!  This storytime is a drop event; no registration is required.
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....
Jun
21
Saturday, June 21
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
23
Monday, June 23
9:00am - 8:00pm
Teens are welcome to pick up a candy sushi 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 allowed...
Jun
24
Tuesday, June 24
4:00pm - 5:30pm
Teens in grades 6-12 are invited to join us for a pantry basics program, based around putting together a meal that includes protein, fat, carbs, and veggies. Participants...

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