Readers and non-readers alike need a library card…read more First, with a library card you have access to on-line books, both visual and audio. The card catalog for books is online and if your local branch does not carry a book, you can order it from another branch for local library pick-up. The Libby app allows you to borrow audio and visual books on your phone or tablet for free! Second, they also have a 'library of things'. Sewing machine, video game, roku, tools, etc., etc. Why buy when you can borrow?! Check out their website for details. Third, free classes. Learn how to use technology with age appropriate classes and workshops. Learn to knit with women from your community. Lots of hands on classes for kids to seniors to homeschoolers. Fourth, game nignts. Play Jack Box games or board games or cards with others. Bring your own or use theirs. Fifth, evening speaker events. Local authors, historians and experts in a number of fields. All for free. Sixth, walking group. Once a week meet up with others and take a stroll along the bike path. Meet new neighbors, enjoy fresh morning air, move your body. This is a gentle stroll. No power walkers in this group so get out and socialize a bit. Seven, passes. Libraries help you save money by offering discounted or free passes to things you want to do. Eight food pantry. This is a small selection provided by library patrons. When clearing out grandma's home, don't throw those canned goods away, donate them to the library like we did. Be a hero, donate to your community, or if you are in need, just ask. Nine, shop. This library has a small shop of items for sale that support library services. Think of them when you need a little gift, or just stop in to support them. Ten, donations. If you are a big reader, the library happily takes donations of new titles. Make some room on your book case and share your beloved stories with your neighbors. When you get your library card sign up for their newsletter for a list of monthly events scheduled. Check out the website for discounts and passes and their library of books and things. Plenty of parking with permitted spots by the door. Automatic doors at the entrance. Kids section on ground floor. Public restroom. Elevator to upper level. Lovely humans. Go make use of your public library!

I am challenging myself to visit all public libraries in the state of Rhode Island this year. This…read morewas the seventh one I visited. My friend and I came about 3 hours before closing, and left about 2 hours later. There was not much on the first floor (besides the cutest little shopping cart for kids and the bathroom) so we went upstairs. The employee there was really helpful and told us a little bit more about the library since it was our first time. We noticed they had little Knick knacks they were selling from a club they have so I got something as a memory. In addition, they had a map where you can color in countries you've been to - they change up this activity every month. We sat in a sound proof little booth, where you can adjust the lighting. As we were leaving, the employee showed us their craft room and they have lots of materials and machines so if you've ever feeling creative but don't have the resources definitely check them out. They have lots of parking and a good selection of books.

Firstly, I love libraries. I do miss the old school librarian shushing people though. I loved the…read morequiet in libraries of yesterday year. The librarians and the reference desk staff are so pleasant and helpful. I have loved this place for years( as well as the Auburn branch).

Solid selection Good staff…read moreReciprocity This is the central branch of the Cranston Public Library system, and has the selection and staff to match. It's essentially what you'd expect in terms of a library - roughly Carter-era design, technology about a generation or two behind, modest amounts of light, and shelf after shelf of books lounging in dust-jackets and Dewey Decimal System sequence. The basic layout is the checkout/circulation area, a children's partition with its own dedicated staff resource, new releases and periodicals, audio/video, and general reference beyond. On a recent sunny Saturday afternoon, the parking lot was near-capacity, as a testament to the still-viable draw of a decent (or better) library. I found some good titles and was checked out efficiently, with three weeks to borrow the books. It's now common practice that borrowing virtually anything in one library branch entitles you to return to virtually any other branch within the entirety of the Ocean State - so we have that going for us...which is nice. I like it. My kids like it. Early returns are that you, too, would like it for all of your media-borrowing needs. Four stars because of its robust offering, and because this is a solid library amongst a community network weathering some hard times despite still occupying a meaningful educational, research, and fellowship niche in modern society.

Huge parking lot-never have an issue finding any. Library is a good size and the employees are…read morealways helpful. They host community events and it's always clean.

Took my son here in the evening during the week. It was getting to be a little late so not too…read moremany kids in the children's room. I have to say the children's room was very nice. A big wooden boat for the kids to play in and also a castle for them to go in. Lots of little puzzles for younger kids to manipulate hanging along the walls. My 8 year old really enjoyed it. Also looks like they do a number of activities and classes here. I think I saw something about a coding class and also some movies that would be playing. Overall very nice library. We'll be back!

Old schools and…read moreold trees The city of Cranston has one main public library and five small branch libraries. This review is for the Oaklawn branch of the Cranston library system. Old schoolhouses tend to make great libraries and in fact a lot of the small, local libraries had their beginnings as tiny schools. This former old schoolhouse is really old and was built back in 1838. It remained a school until 1895 when a new and larger school was built and it was decided to use this as the permanent library. Other libraries were built in Cranston but this one remains as a very cool reminder of the past. The building has had several renovations and additions during the decades but it's schoolhouse roots are still evident. Great vaulted ceilings and rambling areas that are not necessarily logical shows that this not designed from the start as a library. You can still see where the old, original part separates from the newer additions and it's easy to imagine what the original school looks like. A giant, ancient tree guards the front and I suspect the tree was old before this building or perhaps even town was a thought. Yeah, this place has books. magazine, computers, wi-fi and all the other usual library stuff. Useful, convenient and very friendly and knowledgeable librarians make this a place that still has purpose. However it's the history, spooky old tree and cool old building that makes this library special.

Awesome!!!!! We are so fortunate to have a wonderful library system here in Cranston. We have…read morebeautiful libraries and they are so full of not only books but technology and videos and reference materials that are boundless. The people who work in these libraries are amazingly knowledgeable and kind and helpful. I have never gone in to a library and a not come out with what I was looking for in some fashion. They will go above and beyond to serve your needs and to help you either look for the information that you want or to try to find it in a different way or a different place for you. I am very grateful to all of those who work in the library system and to the city of Cranston for funding the libraries. They are such a vital part of our community.

A great library to stop and get some work done. Plenty of tables spread around the space, both on…read morethe upper and lower floors. There are also more cozy chair options if you are here to read. I love the view over the water. My only complaint is it took me a little while to find a table that had access to a power outlet - go to the lower level, take a left, and go all the way to the end! Also! They have a plant exchange!!!! Such a lovely idea. Bring a plant cutting to leave and take a new friend home :)

We've been trying to go on "adventures" to get out of our own backyard and visit some of the other…read moreOcean State Libraries, and today's sojourn brought us to the North Kingstown Free Library. As others have said, it's not the most aesthetically pleasing library in the world, and the architecture / interior design lean more toward "80's Afterschool Special" than "Beauty and the Beast", but don't let that deter you! I was very impressed with not only the ample collection of books, but also the large and gorgeous windows that look out onto a scenic lake that is behind the library. Nothing better than sitting in a comfy chair (and there are many of them) near the windows and watching the sun set while reading a great book. I am definitely impressed with this place - don't judge a book by its weird 1980s / Twin Peaks cover.

I use the Cranston Public Library very frequently. All my life I have been a big fan of THE PUBLIC…read moreLIBRARY . I appreciate both printed BOOKS , MAGAZINES ,NEWSPAPERS and the fairly new information technology including dozens of computers available to library patrons. I would vote in ANY election for an increase in library funding. For years it was taken for granted by both library patrons and library staff that- conducive to studying and reading -QUIET and CIVILITY were the norm; indeed THE RULE, in public libraries. For some time now I have been perturbed by this unexplained , un-therapeutic, and RUDE to the general public DUMPING BUS LOADS OF MENTALLY DISTURNED YOUTH into the Cranston Public Library. Presently I am typing at a computer station here and seated to my left is a clearly mentally disturbed youth. Only the STATE OF RHODE ISLAND can be authorizing this unprofessional " treatment " of difficult minors. NOTE : The Cranston Public Library could at least give notice to regular patrons for " patience " with this " problem ". Some of us might just think that " brats " are the problem here. Like the homeless crisis ,the real problem here is the STATE of Rhode Island ( or perhaps the City of Cranston ? ) neglecting vulnerable people. Ron Ruggieri , 75 Mathewson St., Cranston, Rhode Island ( 401-580-7432 )

A little library with…read morea lot The very first Knightsville library was established back in 1927 and was just a small spot in a local store. The is was typical for the time and libraries were just sort of stuck in any place that had some room. The very first permanent library in Knightsville was built in 1959, a little brick building that is unassuming but very functional and has a lot more inside than you would think possible for it's size. A great example of how space can be utilized, this little library just oozes over with so many things to explore and examine. Nothing aesthetically that really stands out, the library has the good things that just can't be verbalized or expressed. It becomes very obvious that everything about this library is special every though nothing really stand out. This building was constructed by contributions in the name of Gerard Ruggieri. A great honor to have people love you enough to name a library after you. This library is a special little place that is so, so quiet and subtle. Nothing special about it at all. But I suspect the people that use this library know and appreciate just how wonderful a small, and very unassuming place can be. This review is dedicated to Alexandra S. She walks softy upon the earth but sees what most of us don't.

This library is such a gem! To start off it's beautiful and I love how historic it is. Even the…read moregrounds are thoughtfully landscaped and the flowers look beautiful in the Summer. Both the children's room librarian and the checkout desk librarian were friendly. It was very easy to sign up for a card and I enjoyed hearing more about the library. The children's room is adorable and was chock full of awesome books. I appreciated the back to school book suggestion lists that they had for every age from baby to fifth grade! I checked out quite a few from the list. Parking is easy out front and if you want to stay longer than 30 minutes there is more street parking just ahead of the library and the town parking lot a block away. I look forward to more library adventures.

This place is like a second home for me. When I first moved out here, I practically lived in this…read morelibrary for a year, studying for my certification exam. Although there's only one private room, the main floor, with its comfy chairs and rows of bookshelves, is quiet and inviting. You can sit down, truly enjoy the quiet, and immerse yourself in your reading while basking in the natural light streaming through the windows. It has a soothing atmosphere that can be a real snoozer, and that's a compliment. This particular location also offers a good selection of foreign movies, which I really appreciate. The first floor below houses the computers and the children's section, complete with a friendly reference librarian. While the hours are somewhat limited compared to larger libraries, and parking can be a challenge, it's conveniently located right behind Main Street, East Greenwich. After your visit, you can head straight for a stroll. There's even a bike rack close to the entrance. The patrons are mostly older individuals who look like genuine book lovers, along with young parents and children who likely come for the activities and the dedicated children's area. Like many buildings and homes in East Greenwich, this library boasts a beautiful, historic architecture.

A library with a…read more town hall Coventry Public Library shares a larger building with the town hall. The library is on one side and the town hall on the other side and the are connected by a pleasant lobby. Makes things easy and convenient for the people that live in the town,. The library part is about 10,000 square feet and holds about 83,000 volumes. Certainly not a huge library but a lot larger than many of the itty bitty ones that many of the towns have. The building is new so the library doesn't have the charm and history of the cool ancient libraries but it is an extremely pleasant place to check out some books or do some research. The library is very well organized and has lots of comfy places to sit. A great place to get something done or just to hang out and relax. One very nice feature is that the AC is very strong, something that is very appreciated during the present oppressive heat spell. The library was crowded and I suspect a lot of folks came here just to cool off. For a small town library Coventry has a lot of events and programs going on. All kind of notices for storytellers, musical performers, CPR training, and event a artisan fair to be held at the library in the fall. A very cool library, both literally and figuratively. A place to find a book, see what's happening around town or just relax and cool off.

My son has an Egyptian project for school. He needed a 3D model of the Egyptian god, Anubis. My son…read moreinquired about the 3D printer the library has. The librarians were extremely helpful. They explained the process and took the time to download the right file for the model. After all the work they did, the printer broke down. Knowing that the project is due this Friday, we didn't think we would get it in time. The librarians kept us updated and called tonight with great news. The printer is working again and the Anubis model is ready to be picked up...free of charge. Great job! Thank you so very much

Great clean library. My kids always have fun and the staff is so kind. We will…read moreContinue to bring them here regularly

A cozy place to…read moreread a book This library is located right in the middle of Apponaug on Route 1. It's not nearly as large or comprehensive as the main Warwick Library, but it does have it's peculiar small library charms. The book and periodical selection is rather thin and some of the shelves relatively empty. If you are looking for a particular or hard to find book you probably won't find it here. The library does have lots of old standards and best sellers and a motley collection of unusual books that look like they haven't been taken off the shelves in decades. The best part of the library are the comfy chairs and the nice sunny spots. Some plants are hanging around and the whole building smells very nice. A very homey and pleasant feel to the library and a great place to grab a book and enjoy some time reading in a very cozy and comfortable place. The librarians are helpful but readily admit that they don't have that much research material and quickly but pleasantly refer you to the larger main library if are asking for a bit too much. Certainly not the largest or best equipped library around. But it is a great spot to find a comfy chair in a nice sunny spot and spend some time with a good book.