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    Island Free Library

    3.5 (4 reviews)
    Open 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

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    Uriah B Dodge Memorial Free Library - Dodge Street view toward National Hotel, circa 1985.  Walter Levy

    Uriah B Dodge Memorial Free Library

    4.7(3 reviews)
    0.0 mi

    We had to go to the bathroom yesterday and this is apparently only one of 2 places on the island…read morewith a public restroom available. Very clean, very nice little library. There's a lot of history hanging on the walls. I love too how they have food for people to take in the front as well.

    Different type of…read morelibrary The only library located on block island, it's been here in various forms since 1875. Although certainly not large as the libraries found in most town or cities, Uriah Dodge has a charm seldom found in other more modern and sanitized libraries. Of course it has a books and magazines, separated into different categories by several small rooms, they actually manage to pack a lot of information into a relatively small space because everything is so well thought out. I guess they had lots of time to think about it in the harsh winters. What I really enjoy is that the library seems to emphasize the local history and environment of the island. Lots of books, records and information about the region which can be easily accessed. The people working there have always been exceptionally helpful and friendly and it is obvious that they enjoy sharing the knowledge. Some cool old pictures on the walls, a small cannon in the lobby and two parakeets chirping and playing over by a wall to give this library a very unique and pleasant atmosphere. Another great thing about the Uriah Dodge Library is the very cold water fountain and very clean bathrooms. Not gas stations bathrooms but library bathrooms which means spotless. Free water and bathrooms are a luxury on Block Island and the facilities here are certain far better than the horrors that are frequently found lurking in the public crappers in the visitor center. A very enjoyable place only a few minutes from Water Street and the ferry terminal. A great place to do some research, check up on what's happening around the island, play with the birds or simply to stop in and get a drink and use the can.

    Photos
    Uriah B Dodge Memorial Free Library - Dodge Street view, circa 1985.  Walter Levy

    Dodge Street view, circa 1985. Walter Levy

    Uriah B Dodge Memorial Free Library - Dodge Street corner window view.  Walter Levy

    Dodge Street corner window view. Walter Levy

    Uriah B Dodge Memorial Free Library - Dodge Street corner window view.  Walter Levy

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    Dodge Street corner window view. Walter Levy

    Cross Mills Public Library

    Cross Mills Public Library

    4.5(6 reviews)
    15.0 mi

    Friendly staff and cozy environment! Great place with many activities available. There is something…read morehere for people of any age and staff are always happy to help.

    My boyfriend and I are avid readers who are on a mission to visit every library in Rhode Island -…read moreand since I am a Yelper, I feel compelled to write a review for each and every one! Cross Mills Public Library is smaller than some of its sister libraries on the Ocean State Libraries network, but don't be fooled by the pastoral setting and diminutive size - this is actually the library with the nicest staff I've been to thus far on my journeys, and they also have lots of books I hadn't been able to find at my local library branch in Newport! The library is located in picturesque Charlestown, RI, right next to an old schoolhouse and a church that looks like it's from the 1800s. The library itself is very quaint, with many windows to let in lots of natural light, and plenty of seating to catch the rays on a sunny afternoon. We curled up with stacks of books today and wiled away the day reading. It was pretty perfect! In addition to the books, they also offer a robust selection of community programming and classes for all ages, including a cooking club, free concerts, and a Minecraft after school club for kids (we heard the squeals of excitement coming from the computer lab on the lower level - bless Tyler, the awesome librarian we met, for keeping the kids occupied and entertained as leader of the group!). We look forward to coming back for some of the concerts during the summer! They also have a great book sale every summer, so keep an eye out if you live in the area and want to get some new reading material for cheap! I really enjoyed our visit to Cross Mills, and look forward to coming back soon!

    Photos
    Cross Mills Public Library - They even have books

    They even have books

    Cross Mills Public Library - Cool half a door

    Cool half a door

    Cross Mills Public Library - Cool plant

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    Cool plant

    Robert Beverly Hall Library

    Robert Beverly Hall Library

    4.0(1 review)
    15.5 mi

    A very strange…read morelibrary The Robert Hall library was built back in 1896 and has seen several additions and renovations that no doubt contribute to it's odd configuration. It received a new wing in 1930 that now serves as a children's room and another wing was added in 1952 on the east side. In 1991 more renovations were completed that added a small two story addition at the back of the building. Lots of changes over the years. So the library seems very convoluted but in an interesting and bizarrely aesthetic way. The building is different from most libraries and has some cool and steep steps you must get up in the front although a handicap access is in the back. Take a good look and you will see the massive granite foundation, the cool stone chimney and the clapboard shingles. Once inside the main room has a fireplace and an impressive bay window that gives some nice views of the surrounding woods. Lots of cool pictures and art are scattered about the library and you must walk careful to squeeze through some tight spots and get around the usual small library stuff. The parking situation isn't very pleasant because you basically park on the street and if you are coming from the west you have to get across four quickly moving lanes of Rt 1 to get over to the library but with a bit of care it can be done. It's worth the trouble because this is one of those cool, little libraries that doesn't really look or feel like a library. It has the ambiance of a private home that some nice person invited you in to share some time with. A private home that just happens to have an awful lot of books.

    Photos
    Robert Beverly Hall Library - Not a lot of space

    Not a lot of space

    Robert Beverly Hall Library
    Robert Beverly Hall Library

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    Jamestown Philomenian Library - Lots of shades areas

    Jamestown Philomenian Library

    5.0(3 reviews)
    24.4 mi

    My boyfriend and I are on a quest to visit every library in Rhode Island, and even after years and…read moreyears of living in the surrounding area and performing with a theatre company in town, I have actually never been to the Jamestown Philomenian Library up until yesterday! And what a mistake it was to stay away for so long! This library is smaller than some of the other ones we have visited around the state, but does not lack in charm or comfort at all. Step inside, and you'll find an ample selection of literature, lots of DVDs, and tons of community meeting space, from private conference rooms to a larger room that's used for everything from guest speakers to movie screenings (they're free! We'll be back for one soon!) There are also lots of cozy chairs to sit in and read, which is a perfect refuge for a cold island night. I could have stayed here all day! Pro tip! If you have the Ocean State Library Card, you can take out books from any of the libraries in the network, not just the one you got the card from. I learned this way too late after getting mine, and I'm glad the kind librarian here set the record straight! I ended up leaving with a stack of novels, and the greatest foodie movie of all time, Chef, on DVD. Hey, I'm a Yelper at heart, what can I say?

    What exactly is a…read more Philomenian? The library on the island of Jamestown is officially called the Jamestown Philomenian Library. Everyone knows what a library is but what the hell is a Philomenian? Don't bother looking it up in a dictionary because you won't find it. That's because the word doesn't mean anything. Philomenian is a word that doesn't really exist. It seems in times past people in eccentric places like islands use to enjoy making up words to describe their organizations to distinguish themselves from other equally bizarre organizations. They wanted to sound unique and you can't get any more unique than making up your own words. In the early 1800's a group of fellows on Jamestown wanted to start a debating club. So I suppose they had a debate and decided to called themselves the Jamestown Philomenian Debating Society. A few decades later they decided the island needed a library so they each donated one dollar and started what was called the Jamestown Philomenian Library. The fact that philomenian wasn't a word didn't seem to bother anyone. At first the library was just some books kept in people's houses. Very casual and unorganized. Finally in 1971 a building was built to house the books and in 1993 it was enlarged and modernized but still kept the name Jamestown Philomenian Library. Once again no one seem to mind the library has a word in it's name that doesn't really exist. The library today is actually quite large and modern considering the small amount of people it serves. However it never lost it's friendly, idiosyncratic and eccentric island charm. It not only serves as storage for tomes but also contains the Sydney Wright Museum with some cool artifacts and several meeting rooms that have various art exhibitions, story times for kids and some very cool concerts with local talent. A friendly place not just for books, but it also serves the purpose for interacting and socializing with neighbors. Certainly not the largest or technologically advance library in the state but then that's part of the charm. The fact that the library has a word in it's name that doesn't really exist suits it quite well.

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    Jamestown Philomenian Library
    Jamestown Philomenian Library
    Jamestown Philomenian Library

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    Bill Memorial Library

    Bill Memorial Library

    5.0(2 reviews)
    29.8 mi

    I can't say enough about this library. It's so beautiful inside and out. It's always meticulously…read moremaintained. All of the staff are incredibly friendly and helpful. I have so many fond memories visiting this library as a child and getting to see the mummy hand in the attic. The children's programs are excellent, we look forward to attending every week!

    A library that will…read more never be built again I have been to a lot of libraries. big ones, small ones, old ones and new ones but i don't believe I have even seen one quite this physically impressive. It looks more like a medieval castle than a library. Being right next door to a 135 foot high obelisk, a cool old fort and great views of the Thames River certainly doesn't hurt. The money for this library was donated by an extremely generous man named Frederic Bill. He made his money in the linen business back in the 1800's and wanted to give back some of it to help his community. He ended up helping to build churches, schools, and of course this library. The library was opened in 1890 and constructed of huge blocks of granite floated down by barge by from the quarries at Stony Creek in Branford, Ct. The library originally held about 1,750 volumes but has grown a lot since then. It had major additions added in 1907 and 1994 and the amazing thing is that the additions blend in so well with the original structure that it all looks like it was built at one time. The inside has all the modern conveniences of most libraries but never lets you forget that you are in a very special place. Something cool to look at in every direction, this is far more than just a place to store books. This is a library that will never be built again. Look inside and you see all types of unique architecture and creative art, if you happen to take a peek out the window you see a monstrous obelisk looming overhead or perhaps an old revolutionary fort. The building, grounds and location are just so damn impressive that the books almost become superfluous. Walk slowly and breath deeply when you go through the doors, this is a very special library.

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    Bill Memorial Library
    Bill Memorial Library
    Bill Memorial Library

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    Wheeler Library - Just an amazing place

    Wheeler Library

    5.0(3 reviews)
    25.0 mi

    The Wheeler Library is gorgeous and was once the town's public school, but before that, it was a…read moreprivate school. The upstairs was used as dormitory space, and the restoration retained much of the beautiful woodwork. Meanwhile, the downstairs is inviting and the renovation is more recent but attention has been paid to making it quite attractive after it having served as an office space for many years. Be sure to catch the many busts of famous people on the second floor and also the monthly artist's exhibits.

    Lions schools and…read morebusts The Wheeler Library was open in 1900 from money donated by the Wheeler family. Constructed with huge blocks of granite it had a duel purpose. The upstairs served as a lovely library while the bottom floor was an elementary school house. The arraignment lasted for almost 50 years until the town decided to get rid of the 15 little one room school houses and consolidated them into one large regionial school. So the school left and the library expanded into the entire building. Most of the library is now on the first floor and the higher level is a grand room with absolutely stunning widows. cool old photos and lots of busts of old dead guys. The library is lovely in an odd sort of way. Very square and symmetrical, the huge granite blocks look like that will last forever. Not as elaborate as many other libraries but it definitely looks solid and two cool lion statues guard the entrance. The inside is a different story. The first floor has the books and usual library stuff along with a very pleasant librarian but a trip upstairs is what really amazes. A huge open hall with stunning windows and ceiling and cool stuff whenever you look. A few old books are up there but it's most open space. I suspect they use the area for lectures and concerts. The library had some major renovation in 1992 and is a useful and practical facility. But it's the buildings uniqueness that makes it so cool. There are no other library that look quite like this one.

    Photos
    Wheeler Library - Once a school too

    Once a school too

    Wheeler Library - The stunning upstairs room

    The stunning upstairs room

    Wheeler Library - Photos by Anna K.

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    Photos by Anna K.

    Island Free Library - libraries - Updated May 2026

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