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

What's Happening

September 18 at 6:30. Registration is now open!
Our hours have changed with the season!
Our raffle basket winners have been chosen!
Get help finding an American Patriot in your lineage from the D.A.R.

Book Clubs

The 3rd Tuesday Book Club will be meeting on Tuesday, September 17 at 4:30 and 6:30 PM!  In September we will be reading The Ruin by Dervla McTiernan.  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

Sep
09
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
09
7:00pm - 8:00pm
Library board meeting
Sep
11
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Staff Meeting
Sep
12
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!...
Sep
09
Monday, September 09
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
14
Saturday, September 14
9:00am - 12:45pm
Do you have roots in the original thirteen colonies, the Quebec area, what is now California and Texas, or 18th Century France or Spain? The fight for American Independence...
Sep
16
Monday, September 16
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
17
Tuesday, September 17
4:30pm - 5:30pm
Join us for a discussion of ...
Sep
12
Thursday, September 12
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!...
Sep
17
Tuesday, September 17
10:30am - 11:00am
Story Time for babies aged 0-18 months! This storytime is a drop event; no registration is required.
Sep
18
Wednesday, September 18
10:30am - 11:00am
Storytime for toddlers aged 18 months to 3 years!  This storytime is a drop event; no registration is required.
Sep
19
Thursday, September 19
10:30am - 11:00am
Storytime for children age 3 and up!  This storytime is a drop event; no registration is required.
Sep
11
Wednesday, September 11
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Staff Meeting
Sep
28
Saturday, September 28
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
01
Tuesday, October 01
6:30pm - 7:30pm
Welcome to our new monthly book club, centered around mysteries! Join us each month on the first Tuesday at 6:30 to discuss that month's selection. We will read a variety of...
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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