Portsmouth Free Public Library

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What's New?

The BIG Collection Move

We appreciate your patience as we shift the collection. Adult fiction, mysteries and science fiction/fantasy have been moved to the adult non-fiction area. This will enable us to expand the collection and shelve incoming books promptly. The adult non-fiction collection (excluding biographies and the Rhode Island Genealogical Society collection) will be moved to the adult fiction area. We have shelved up to 919 in the former adult fiction area.
Portsmouth Historical Photos

The John T. Pierce, Sr., Historical Collection is a digital project started in 2007 by Portsmouth Free Public Library to preserve and provide public access to collected materials documenting the history of Portsmouth, Rhode Island. Materials for this site were donated to the Library by retired Portsmouth Police Chief John T. Pierce Sr. and was funded by a grant from BankNewport. To view the collection, click ...
Museum Passes
Several museum passes or discount coupons are available for loan at the library. They may be checked out on a first come, first served basis.

Passes or coupons available are:
RI Lotteries

Russell DeSimone will present a lecture on Rhode Island Lotteries - Three Centuries of History on Monday, May 20 at 6:30 PM at the Library. This talk follows the development of Rhode Island lotteries from its early beginning in the 18th century to its demise during the 19th century and reintroduction in the 20th century. Throughout its history, Rhode Island lotteries played a vital role in the building of the colony's and later state's roads, bridges, churches, schools and even a ransom demand for the release of one of its citizens held in captivity....
Transportation In Portsmouth with Jim Garman

How did people get around town in the old days? Trolleys, ferries, horse and wagons, Model-T's, of course! This photographic lecture from Portsmouth historian James Garman is part of a series of public events and observances over the course of the year in celebration of Portsmouth's 375th anniversary. This lecture will be held at Portsmouth Town Hall.

Featured News

Ancestry.com is now available at the library!!
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Library Director's Blog
It is that time of year when I typically step back and look at what has taken place at the library in the preceding year. Libraries have certainly changed since when I got my first library card! According to a study by the American Library Association (ALA) called Libraries Connect Communities: Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study, 2011-2012, more Americans than ever are turning to their libraries for a diverse range of technology resources and training and more. In looking at that study, I realized that the library certainly does have a lot to offer but do you realize that, too?. For instance, did you know that we offer:
- access to computers and the Internet
- WiFi access
- basic computer instruction
- one-on-one technology help
- downloadable media and the instruction on how to do it
- research assistance
- adult, young adult, and children's programs
- museum passes
- a program room for community group use
- local history and genealogy materials
- interlibrary loan when we don't have exactly what you want
- and, of course, books, DVDs, magazines, and books on CD
So come visit Portsmouth Free Public Library. I hope that you will be pleasantly surprised by what you find here.
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BookSizzle

There are millions of books published each year so if you need a suggestion for your next good read just click on BookSizzle.
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Rhode Island's Civil War Hospital

Author and Portsmouth resident Frank L Grzyb's new book Rhode Island’s Civil War Hospital: Life and Death at Portsmouth Grove, 1862 – 1865 is available at Portsmouth Free Public Library. Mr. Grzyb did extensive research about this little known Civil War hospital. During the Civil War, thousands of wounded Union soldiers and Confederate prisoners recuperated in a general army hospital in Portsmouth Grove, Rhode Island.

Little has been written about this hospital because of its location away from the main action of the war. However, its story and the stories of all those associated with the hospital provide a new perspective on the interaction between the army and society in wartime and on life in Civil War America.

This study details hospital life and medical care during the Civil War era and the role of citizens in providing aid. The later adventures of former patients and staff and the final resting places of those who died on the grounds are also examined.
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Talking Books Plus
Talking Books Plus, the Rhode Island Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, provides free library service to anyone in Rhode Island who is unable to read standard print because of a visual or physical handicap. As part of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), Talking Books Plus lends reading materials and specially designed equipment free of charge. Books and magazines recorded on cassettes are mailed postage free through the U.S. Postal Service to individuals qualifying for this service. Talking Books Plus also connects readers with materials in other formats, such as:
- Braille materials, through the Perkins School for the Blind
- Descriptive videos, through the Lincoln Public Library
- Large Print books available through your local Public Library.
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