One of my favorite libraries in the state of Rhode Island! I used to come here when I was a…read moreteenager to study, after they had revamped some of the building. This building is so much more than just a library - it is really a community space. The Children's Floor is epic- separate rooms for story time, a play space including puppet show area, a large boat, and all sorts of sensory play, as well as tech equipment. Downstairs there are several community rooms, reading rooms and study nooks. They host all sorts of events for the local community, and have quite an amazing selection of books, videos, magazines and CD's. they even have tablets you can rent !

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.

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.

I haven't been to this library in years and when I visited recently, it was like nothing ever…read morechanged! A library time capsule! I came with one other person and we needed a space to talk quietly, they had a silent area and a low voice area. I wish they had small rooms to work in but I didn't feel like we were disturbing anyone by talking quietly. Some students were also there getting tutored. It was nice and clean, librarians were nice. They also had collections of CDs and DVDs! So fun!

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).

What a charming old library. While it is free to visit, there is a suggested donation of $5. When…read moreyou enter you'll sign in and get a visitor sticker. It seems like there are options to become a member so you can use the space to study and work. While exploring, there were quite a few people working in the space. There is a huge selection of books and I love how it's organized. I really enjoyed the basement section that held the history of the space and some of the very first books that survived the fire that burnt its predecessor. The staff is friendly and kind. There were restrooms downstairs. I loved visiting.

There's nothing really "to do" per se, but still a great way to spend some time. Weekdays are a pay…read morewhat you can model (they suggest $5). There were some old photos and some decor on display bye old card catalogs are cool. But the rare books are locked up. Maybe you can request admission but we didn't ask. Still fun to look at their collection - found some cookbooks we'd never heard of. The way they handle older copies with special bindings and boxes. Most libraries would take those out of the collection. Beautiful building. And helpful staff (we couldn't find the cookbooks).

Very special…read morelibrarians The Norwood Library is kind of a squat, small and bricky looking building. Not unattractive but certainly not one of the more stunning New England libraries. It looks like a bunker or air raid shelter on the outside, something that would survive just about anything. We got there just as it was closing, in fact it was closed and the librarians were leaving for the day. Itty, bitty libraries like this aren't open very often and you have to get the hours right. In fact the hours often change and are very irregular and not necessarily logical. However the very kind librarians let us in even though it kept them from leaving and didn't hurry us one bit. They were very friendly and pleasant even though it was obvious that we were keeping them from going home. They both patiently answered our stupid questions and even turned on the lights on and let us go downstairs. This library was built back in 1907 and is pretty cool if you take the time to look carefully. It is a very stout and strong looking building tucked in a small space but it does have some cool windows and an impressive slate roof. Obviously not one of the more impressive and grandiose libraries in New England but still a pretty cool place. We didn't have a lot of time to poke around the library but it was well organized and had all the usually library stuff. The kids section downstairs was especially cool. Just a little library in a small part of town. Nothing specially except for the accommodating librarians that sacrificed their time so we could poke around There are plenty of books and plenty of places to keep books, but librarians like this are what makes certain libraries very special.

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.

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.

The Hope Library is my go-to haven for the bookworm in me. Nestled in picaresque Hope, RI, this…read morelocation is an easy in and out when in the area. I started visiting here during the pandemic which means that despite my using their services with some frequency, I've only ever really walked in the first 10 feet of this establishment a handful of times. For the most part, I utilize the Ocean State Libraries online database to request delivery of books to this location. In the beginning, I utilized their curbside/contactless pickup which was ever so easy and convenient. I could grab and go and do the same when it was time to drop what I borrowed back off. Since then, I have interacted with the front desk staff for pickups (masks required). Everyone that works there has been incredibly nice. Even when I walk in 10 minutes before closing to grab a book that has arrived for me. I'm always in and out in just a couple minutes. Their website is easy to use and advertises all the in-person and online offerings they have running.

We went to this library for the first time recently and we were so impressed! The head librarian…read moreasked us if we wanted a tour- she was playful, funny- just great! The children's area had so much to play with- i particularly loved the dress up; example, policeman uniform. There was a huge aquarium with information surrounding it about the fish. There were so many ongoing events for different groups, such as craft afternoons for adults once a month.

I still love this library- very well kept up and great resources overall…read more I took a really cool music industry class for free here- just a fantastic Downtown resource! Again- I just wish they were open later with extended hours. Clean bathrooms and nice drinking fountains to fill up your reusable water bottles... I will definitely be checking out more of their classes! *my go-to place to rent the newest movies and trendy books- they are the best!

Lately, I have been borrowing a few book from the main Library and the system is very easy to…read morenavigate. Basically you enter your library card number and you can create a list of titles that you are interested in. You can then place a hold on any of them if they are not on the shelf and they will let you know when your book is ready for pickup. Just go to the second floor and to the left of the information desk, there are self serve shelves with all the books ready to be picked up. I just looked for mine under my last name, check it out and I have three weeks to read it. Easy and free.

Fruits veggies and…read morelibraries I went to a high school that was called the William H. Hall high school so when I saw this library was also named after William H. Hall my curiosity was aroused. Turned out this is a different guy but he still was an interesting fellow. William was a poor kid that started out selling fruits and veggies and along the way gathered a fortune. Before he died he decided he wanted to built a library so in 1927 this stunning building was constructed. It looks like a cool old mansion on the outside and is dripping with charm and charisma. The inside it beautiful too, with paintings, antiques and all kinds of cool things to look at. Definitely one of those libraries that is more art gallery than a place for books. The staff was very friendly and let us look around and answered all my stupid questions. It of course has a whole lot of books, including some cool old ones. And or course it has all the modern amenities now expected in a community library. This William H. Hall might not be the same guy that my high school was named after but he definitely was an impressive individual that built one great library.

This is my childhood library. I have seen it change only for the better over time. I grew up at…read morethis library. I owe everything I am today to this library.