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

What's Happening

Our hours have changed with the season!
Join Karen Shea for a workshop on strategies to overcome your fears of public speaking. September 22 at 6 pm.
Registration for Chair Yoga will open Monday September 8th
Our program has come to a close. Click "Read More" to see the names of our basket winners!

Book Clubs

The 3rd Tuesday Book Clubs will meet on Tuesday, September 16 at 4:30 PM and 6:30 PM.  We will be reading The Murder Rule by Dervla McTiernan. 

October's Mystery Meetup will be on Tuesday October 7 at 6:30pm.  We will be discussing Wicked Autumn by G.M. Malliet.

Copies of the book club titles are available 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

Hours  
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
 
Email

Phone

(401) 683-9457

 

Upcoming Events

Sep
13
9:30am - 1:30pm
Come join us for a variety of American and Euro style board and card games, such as Terraforming Mars, Clank!, Carcassonne, Puerto Rico, Settlers of Catan, etc. Everyone is...
Sep
15
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...
Sep
15
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...
Sep
16
10:30am - 11:00am
Story Time for babies aged 0-18 months! This storytime is a drop event; no registration is required.
Sep
13
Saturday, September 13
9:30am - 1:30pm
Come join us for a variety of American and Euro style board and card games, such as Terraforming Mars, Clank!, Carcassonne, Puerto Rico, Settlers of Catan, etc. Everyone is...
Sep
15
Monday, September 15
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...
Sep
15
Monday, September 15
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...
Sep
16
Tuesday, September 16
4:30pm - 5:30pm
Join us for a discussion of The Murder Rule by Dervla McTiernan. For fans of the compulsive psychological suspense of Ruth Ware and Tana French, a mother daughter story—one...
Sep
16
Tuesday, September 16
10:30am - 11:00am
Story Time for babies aged 0-18 months! This storytime is a drop event; no registration is required.
Sep
17
Wednesday, September 17
10:30am - 11:00am
Storytime for toddlers aged 18 months to 3 years!  This storytime is a drop event; no registration is required.
Sep
18
Thursday, September 18
10:30am - 11:00am
Storytime for children age 3 and up!  This storytime is a drop event; no registration is required.
Sep
23
Tuesday, September 23
10:30am - 11:00am
Story Time for babies aged 0-18 months! This storytime is a drop event; no registration is required.
Sep
20
Saturday, September 20
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...
Sep
27
Saturday, September 27
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...
Oct
14
Tuesday, October 14
6:00pm - 7:30pm
Teens in grades 6-12 are invited to join us for a candy filled Halloween paint party! Various candy will be available for snacking and collecting while participating in a fun...
Oct
18
Saturday, October 18
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...

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