What a sweet little library! I found myself in Downtown Warren a few days ago with some time to…read morekill, so I decided to Google Maps where the local library was. Turns out that it was a convenient two blocks away from the Coffee Depot where I was hangin', so I decided to take a stroll and check it out. The George Hail Free Library may be small-ish, but the building itself was gorgeous (according to the librarian, it's about 132 years old!), and it was fun to walk around in the Beauty and the Beast-esque space and channel my inner Belle for a bit! There are amazing stained glass windows and meticulously preserved vaulted ceilings. It's almost reminiscent of an old church from the turn of the century. Pretty cool! The library is undergoing some repairs and renovations to the upper floor and the roof, so the shelves on the first floor are jammed with fiction and nonfiction books. It was a little bit cramped to walk around, but I managed. I unfortunately didn't have enough time to sit and read, but the worn leather chairs near the periodicals section looked inviting, and I will definitely take a seat there next time! The George Hail Free Library is part of the Ocean State Libraries system, so you can take out any of their books or media and return it at a different library in the system as well. Very convenient and much appreciated! A hidden historic gem in Warren that's definitely worth a visit!

A stunning memorial…read more Back in the early 1880's Martha Hail decided she wanted a lasting memorial to her husband, George Hail, so she decided to donate money to have a library built in his honor that would have his name on it. Like most of the grand libraries built during this time period it was more than a place for books. It was a stunning building made of blocks of granite and constructed in the Romanesque Revival style that seemed popular at the time. The library was complete in 1888 for a total cost of around 16,000 dollars. Seems like a ridiculously low sum now but back then it was a whole heap of money. Several other wealthy people also donated money for the completion of the building. The library is indeed stunning, both inside and out. This period of grand library building sort of reminds me of what the Egyptian Pharaohs were doing in the 4th dynasty, building massive memorials that would last forever. It not exactly forever, then for a long, long time. The library is wonderful to look at from the outside and the inside is just as amazing. Beautiful stain glass windows, lovely staircases, beautiful furniture and art and even a cool owl watching over things. The library was renovated in the late 1970's and much of it was restored to it's original appearance. It is truly a beautiful library to admire from both the inside and out. It might not last as long as the pyramids but it will definitely be around for a long, long time.

I visited this library today for the first time. I was drawn in by the old beautiful building from…read morethe outside. They have a gazebo outside that I could picture would be nice spot to sit and read in, in nicer weather. When I walked inside, I was greeted warmly and all the staff that I encountered were friendly. To the left was a room with a table and a fireplace, all decorated for Christmas. It was nice to look at! The library itself is small, but offers a good variety of books. Downstairs is an entire Children's section of books, but also includes a few different play areas. I loved this idea and could see kids having some fun here! This was such a great atmosphere, and I'd definitely be back again.

In praise of…read morePenny The Swansea Library is a wonderful old building. It was built back in 1899 out of huge blocks of lovely granite and just oozes charm and character. Friendly, comfy, useful and interesting. On of the most charming things about the library is Penny the kitty. She is about 14 years old and has spent her entire life in the library; There have been other cats calling this library home before Penny and it's been quite a while since there hasn't been a kitty here. Unfortunately early this year a rather self centered and attention seeking individual with a long history of litigation and desire to get his name in the news decided that he was offended by the presence of this quiet, clean and gentle creature and that Penny had to go. He threatened to sue the library, town and just about anyone else he could think of if Penny wasn't immediately removed from the library. No debate, no compromise. He didn't like Penny so she had to go. Didn't matter what anyone else thought. Fortunately it turned out that little Penny had lots of friends that were willing to take on the arrogant bully. The articles about Penny and the lawsuit went viral and thousands of signatures and letters started pouring in demanding that Penny be allowed to stay in her home. The support for Penny was overwhelming and all the attention made the lawsuit and man seem ridiculous. So as bullies usually do when people stand up to them, the self centered, attention seeking guy decided he was getting far too much attention and stopped his lawsuit. So Penny still sleeps quietly in her little box over the heating vent. Unassuming and beautiful she represents everything good about the library and small town. Good people did something and this time evil and arrogance did not triumph.

i always forget my old phone number and they help me find my account to issue a new card its niceread more

Wow! Such a beautiful library for a small town. My daughter was in the local hospital for a week…read moreand the very friendly librarians helped me with a temporary library card. They have a fair fiction section but lots of other useful amenities such as a computer area and games and movies you can check out as well. Huge parking lot, clean quiet space to work, plenty of materials on loan. Libraries are the best!

I'm challenging myself to visit all public libraries in the state of Rhode Island this year and I…read morestarted with Barrington Public Library--I unknowingly set the bar high for the other libraries. I had reserved a room online and the staff was really helpful in helping me find the room. They do hold your reservation for up to 15 minutes if you're running late. The study rooms are spacious, a bit modern, and they even have more upstairs. I found that there were lots of different seats and sort of study spots around the library--wooden chairs, couch like chairs, tables, darker spots, spots by the window, etc. I loved that they had a puzzle that you could help with. I also think it's neat that they have a zone for each age group and it's nicely decorated plus clearly marked sections for different genres and type of books. I took one of their newsletters and quickly found out they have lots of activities each month, some of which I plan to attend. I was also in shock to find that they have a very nice auditorium where they have speakers but also show films. There was lots of parking, the outside of the building is nice, there are some cafes and stores nearby, and they even have a museum in the basement for the town of Barrington (although it does have special hours of operation). I love forward to coming back eventually and seeing how they decorate and organize according to seasons.

Such a good playground especially for a wide range of children. I love taking the kids I babysit…read morefor here because they have two sides of the playground, one for babies/toddlers and another for ages 5 (ish) and up. Makes it very convient to have a little bit of everything for everyone. Theres picnic tables, benches, and covered seating avaiabvle which is super nice.

Stopped by here today after a walk at Gamino Pond. I used to…read moreuse the computers here years ago. Today was a stop to check the used books. Found several and the total price was $2.00. Nice library, tables outside and a walking path in back.

Nestled in the backend of Seekonk this library literally has everything my nerdy self needs…read more I like that it's all one level and that it has scenic walking paths adjacent to the main building. It also has a decent sized parking lot which I appreciate even more now because my other local libraries in my state have little to no parking. They completed renovations in the past few years which make everything even more accessible. it's one of the few local libraries that has an innovation center. they have equipment that allows you to convert VHS tapes and they also have a 3D printer that is cost affordable to use. My only complaint is that I'm charged a dual state membership fee to still be a member. though the annual fee is burdensome it's worth it in the end.

Whales quilts and…read moreparks The very first idea for a library in Norton was in 1886 when a few book were dumped in the town hall. A few years later a "real" library and building were constructed and roughly 2,000 books were proudly stacked on the shelves. The served nicely for a while but the library's collection of books and more modern devices, unimagined when the library was constructed, started to appear. It became obvious a new and much larger library was needed. So in 1991 the brand new and much larger library was opened. It holds over 60,000 volumes as well as numerous works of art, displays and exhibits and a cool community room. It even has the traditional New England quilt that some new libraries have seemed to gotten away from, as well as a great display of a whale mom with her calf. Cool stuff. In 1999 the town decided to build a little park and patio on the grounds of the library. Not a place for serious hiking but a nice place to take a short stroll or find some shade and read a book. A very pleasant library and a great place to spend some time and if you're not careful, maybe even learn something.

Such a cute, comprehensive library in the heart of Norton. The facilities are clean and organized…read more There is a large workstation to bring your laptop or books for studying or work, and they have desktop computers as well. What struck me most is how friendly the staff is. They know most patrons by name and are always willing to help answer questions or find a solution. The WiFi is free but a bit unreliable. It would not let me log on to many major sites, but several minutes later after the staff reset the internet, it allowed those sites. Even before the reset, some sites worked (email, social media) but many others did not. Parking lot has ample space and there's even a few antiques decorating the library...it's like a tiny museum!

I am challenging myself to visit more of the libraries around the state. I had time to spare and I…read morewas in the area so I decided to stop by. There is a few parking spaces right in front of the building, a bigger lot at the rear of the building, and plenty of street parking so lots of options. I am not sure if the park is part of the library but there is a grassy area with a huge tree in the center and a play house in the far back for kids to play. I noticed the fish tank when I walked in, and later, their library of things (appliances, games, gadgets, etc. to borrow) caught my attention. There are a few good things in their collection, but it is a bit less impressive compared to other libraries. I noticed they had a plant corner which was really cool and were giving seeds away to encourage patrons to garden. The computer lab is in the center of the library, with tables to study along the perimeter of the library and books scattered throughout organized by genre. There is a rack with puzzles where you can freely take a box and give a box which I think is a good exchange program for those like myself who like to do puzzles but not store them. I am sure there were other cool things about this library but I did not do much more exploring. I think it was one floor only. There is a kids section and they do have clean bathrooms.

I've been coming here for 7 years. My dog Danny is the library dog. All the staff is sweet, kind,…read morepatient and accommodating. Although we spend most of our time in the Children's section - everyone is so helpful and we have watched a million interactions. They even have a plant exchange in the back! 10/10 recommend!

Came here with little to no expectations but it ended up being one of my favorite spots in the…read morearea. $5 suggested donation /person admission Very quiet but cozy library. Feels like an amazing place to study and take a second to read. Highly recommend a visit for anyone coming out of state. Definitely would enjoy coming back for a whole day.

What a cool gem in Providence! If you are not a member and just want to look around you can pay the…read moresuggested donation of $5/person. There is a QR code to scan for a self guided tour. Filled with history, nooks and crannies to read and study in, and so many books. Edgar Allan Poe was once a visitor with his love interest at the time. Worth a stop if you are on the East side of Providence.

When I saw the opportunity to make my own three dimensional leather rose listed on the June Events…read moreat Rochambeau library newsletter, I immediately registered by emailing rocadults@clpvd.org to reserve my seat. Registration is suggested. The event was held on Saturday, June 28 in MakerSpace starting at 3:30pm. When I entered Rochambeau library, there was a sign that gave instructions to MakerSpace. Cassidy introduced herself and there were 6 of us for the event. We sat at the desks with all the supplies and Cassidy informed us we have the option for a mini or a large leather rose. Most of us chose the large leather rose. First, Cassidy instructed us to cut the petals out of the leathercraft pattern for 3-D Leather Roses by Annie Libertini. Using the pattern, we then traced the shape onto the leather. Next, we soaked the leather with water. This helps the leather pliable and easier to mold. We pinched, twisted, and rolled the leather into the tight center of a rose. Using a bottle cap as a base, we put the outer shell and the inner shell of the rose together with some leather glue. Lastly, we just have to allow the petals to dry over night. The next day, the petals were dry and they held their shape. Cassidy was very friendly, very knowledgeable about leather, and gave instructions that were easy to follow. Rochambeau library has many different events, so I'm sure there is something for everyone.

My home town library. So many memories here. Hundreds of hours were spent here…read more I used to go in with my little sisters. I used to read to them. Which created a love of books for them, that they carried to adulthood. The librarians were always so incredibly nice to us. I have nothing but fond memories here. Thank you

A library made of…read morestone Dighton Public Library is a rather small place but with a very cool exterior made of field stones. I tried to find out exactly where the stones came from but nobody know. I suspect they are local, possible taken from the river in the back. This library was built in 1910 and like a bezillion other libraries was a generous gift from the well known philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. It shows signs of it's age and could use a bit of TLC, but is still an impressive little building. The main floor is rather crowded with all the usual library stuff and the downstairs is the children's room. When I was there they were preparing for a Halloween party and expected lots of the local kids to attend. Like many small town libraries it serves a place where people in the community can get together, socialize and learn. Both of the librarians I met were exceptionally friendly and pleasant, taking the time to give me all the information I wanted and showing me around. I also met several local people in the library that seemed happy to tell me about the history of the town and area. This is a small but very gregarious, homey and neighborly place to spend some time. It's definitely the type of library where everyone talks and nobody is going to hush you for making too much noise. A place to learn things that aren't in the books.

Our family LOVES the Dighton Public Library. Although small its heart is as big and as good as it…read moregets. You can truly get any book you desire by simply placing it on hold from another library and getting it sent quickly and efficiently to Dighton Public Library. The staff is very welcoming and loves to see us come in and we feel so welcomed. My children (ages 9, 7 and 6) have also become much better readers because of the Children's Librarian there. She has shown them titles that they'd never seen before and made them new and different and FUN to try to read. Some were a hit, some were not but she provided the kids with options of topics they truly uniquely enjoyed. My history buff found a series he fell in love with and he reads every night because of it. My youngest is reading above his grade level as she found him some fantastic funny books and he adores them and my gregarious middle child- my daughter who lives and breathes art- has been shown some of the best books she's ever read. We do not live in Dighton. We actually come from a neighboring town with a much newer building and a much larger space BUT the staff is not welcoming and the children are better "seen and not heard" there. It no longer became fun to go to the library so we'd heard such wonderful things about the Dighton Public Library we thought we'd check it out and now its OUR library of choice. Thank you for making going to the library fun again. We get there once a week or more. Fun events for kids, great staff and best of all we feel welcome to learn, read and be ourselves. THANK YOU to the Dighton Public Library for renewing our trust in libraries again!