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

What's Happening

It's time for our Annual Tree Lighting and visit with Santa! Sunday Dec. 3 at 5:30 pm
Stop in and participate in our Reading Raffle for Adults
Our new Mystery Book Club begins in January!
All ages can drop in for our Fiber Arts Fridays at 3:30 pm.

Book Clubs

The 3rd Tuesday Book Club will be meeting in person on Tuesday, December 12 (the 2nd Tuesday this month) at 4:30 PM and 6:30 PM!  The December book is Home Waters by Elizabeth Devlin.  Refreshments will be served.

Our Mystery Meetup Book Club has its inaugural meeting on Tuesday, Jan 2 at 6:30 PM.  Our first selection is Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane.  Can't wait to see you there!

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

Nov
28
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. ...
Nov
28
10:30am - 11:00am
Story Time for babies age 0-18 months! Older children are always welcome.
Nov
29
10:30am - 11:00am
Story Time for toddlers age 18 months- 3 years! Older children are always welcome!
Nov
30
10:30am - 11:00am
Story Time for children age 3 and up! Younger children are always welcome!
Nov
28
Tuesday, November 28
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. ...
Dec
01
Friday, December 01
3:30pm - 4:30pm
FIBER ARTS IS NOW 2X/MONTH! Are you a knitter? Crocheter? Someone who enjoys embroidery, needlepoint, or spinning? Join us on the first AND third Friday of...
Dec
04
Monday, December 04
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...
Dec
05
Tuesday, December 05
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. ...
Nov
28
Tuesday, November 28
10:30am - 11:00am
Story Time for babies age 0-18 months! Older children are always welcome.
Nov
29
Wednesday, November 29
10:30am - 11:00am
Story Time for toddlers age 18 months- 3 years! Older children are always welcome!
Nov
30
Thursday, November 30
10:30am - 11:00am
Story Time for children age 3 and up! Younger children are always welcome!
Nov
30
Thursday, November 30
4:00pm - 5:00pm
Introducing 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 from ...
Dec
02
Saturday, December 02
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...
Dec
04
Monday, December 04
9:30am - 8:00pm
Welcome to week 1 of our holiday ornament edition of our Teen Take and Makes! This week's ornament will be a gumball machine - perfect as a treat or gift for a friend or...
Dec
11
Monday, December 11
9:30am - 8:00pm
Welcome to week 2 of our holiday ornament edition of our Teen Take and Makes! This week's ornament will be a grinch heart ornament - show your spirit and love this season!...
Dec
18
Monday, December 18
9:30am - 8:00pm
Welcome to week 3 of our holiday ornament edition of our Teen Take and Makes! This week's ornament will be real peppermint ornaments - perfect as a treat or gift for a friend...

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