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

What's Happening

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New Date: March 29 at 6:30 pm
Tuesdays from 2:15 - 3:30. Registration required.
April 5 at 6:30 pm: Living with the Dead in RI: from cemetery destruction to preservation
April 8 at 1 pm: Poetry reading to celebrate National Poetry month with three Aquidneck Island poets

Book Clubs

The 3rd Tuesday Book Club will be meeting in person on Tuesday, March 21 at 4:30 PM and 6:30 PM!  We will be discussing The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict.  If you would like to attend the 4:30  discussion via Zoom, please click here to register.

Our Teen Fiction Book Club is now in collaboration with the Tiverton Public Library. The April meeting will be held here in Portsmouth on Tuesday April 25th. We will discuss Be Not Far From Me by Mindy McGinnis (our February pick that was canceled due to weather) and Heretics Anonymous by Katie Henry. Books are available to borrow at both libraries. All ages welcomed for this book discussion. For more information, please see our calendar. Every other month will be in Tiverton on the last MONDAY, and the opposing months here in Portsmouth on the last TUESDAY.

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
Thu - Fri 9-6
Sat 9-5
Sun 1-5

Website funded by The Book Nook

Address
2658 E Main Rd
Portsmouth, RI
02871

Phone

(401) 683-9457

Fax

(401) 683-5013

Upcoming Events

Mar
27
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...
Mar
28
2:15pm - 3:30pm
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, we also stand utilizing our chair. ...
Mar
29
6:30pm - 7:30pm
In recognition of Women's History month, Portsmouth Free Public Library will host a lecture on three Rhode Island women of the 19th and 20th centuries presented by Fred...
Apr
03
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...
Mar
27
Monday, March 27
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...
Mar
28
Tuesday, March 28
2:15pm - 3:30pm
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, we also stand utilizing our chair. ...
Mar
29
Wednesday, March 29
6:30pm - 7:30pm
In recognition of Women's History month, Portsmouth Free Public Library will host a lecture on three Rhode Island women of the 19th and 20th centuries presented by Fred...
Apr
03
Monday, April 03
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
13
Thursday, April 13
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Open to teens in grades 6-12 only, this limited space event will take place in the program room. Bring your favorite drink, and snacks and all painting supplies will be...
Apr
22
Saturday, April 22
10:00am - 12:00pm
CALLING ALL ADVENTURERS! Join us for a Dungeons & Dragons (5e) one-shot adventure and become a hero on dangerous quests to search for treasure, battle deadly...
Apr
25
Tuesday, April 25
6:30pm - 7:30pm
Join us for YA Book Club on the following dates: All ages welcome that can read the book! No registration required. April: Heretics Anonymous by Katie Henry (we will also be...
May
06
Saturday, May 06
10:00am - 12:00pm
CALLING ALL ADVENTURERS! Join us for a Dungeons & Dragons (5e) one-shot adventure and become a hero on dangerous quests to search for treasure, battle deadly...

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