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.

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!

While out for a walk around Bristol, we took a warming break at the Rogers Free Library. Beautiful…read morelibrary with a gorgeous 1877 exterior and a newly renovated interior. I loved these beautiful old books that were still on the shelves. Very clean and comfortable. They also offer a small selection of books for sale.

The old and the new…read more Rogers Free Library was always a very cool place to look at books. Built way back in 1877 out of brown sandstone, it had a very dignified and pleasantly archaic look about it. However it was small and just didn't have enough room to hold many books or other typical library conveniences. Finally a couple of years ago the town decided to do something about their charming if diminutive library and expanded the original library into the long out of business Bristol Furniture Company building right next door. In fact the two old buildings were actually touching so turning them into one larger building wasn't a difficult as it sounds. The results are fantastic. The area of the library has more than tripled, giving room for many more books, several new meeting and study rooms and very importantly 50 new computer stations open to the public. The two buildings blend together seamlessly and you can't even tell exactly which one you are in without stopping and thinking about it. The great thing is that the library still has that great small town, very inviting and comfy feeling. Definitely not sterile, static and homogenized like many more modern libraries. Modern technology can never replace the great feel of being in a old building. The Rogers Free Library is a great example of how to do something right. They manages to add the new without losing or sacificing the old. It always was a great place to read a book, now it's even better. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOVmwyYJuEE&feature=related This youtube video is in honor of Lydia L, The Space Cowgirl from NY who has some of the coolest videos on Yelp. The old and the new.

Lighthouses computers…read moreand books The Riverside Library is a new library that was completed in 2005. It's a simple but attractive library on the outside and clean and well organized on the inside. It's immediately obvious that this is a new and well designed library. Lots of computers for public use, a large community room, a wonderful kids area with lots of cool toys and stuffed animals and several interesting displays. Perhaps the most interesting things about the library was the Pomham Rocks Lighthouse display. Several lovely models of the old lighthouse and information by the Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse Association. A very nice and modern branch library that has friendly and pleasant librarians, useful conveniences and amenities and a wonderful display of lighthouses.

This is my SPOT! I…read morego to this branch every week to pick up the books/CD's/DVD's I reserve online, and add a few impulse-"buys" like magazines and new books on display. There's a great system in place to just coast over to the wall of reserved goodies on your own and find your things by your name. You can even go over to a simple self-serve check-out and zip right out. Though why would I do that?, because as Cherie M. rightfully gushes, the librarians are just that nice to talk to. This is why I'm just not interested in Kindle (ok, with the exception of when I'm traveling...the only time I wish I wasn't lugging books) - this is one routine I really enjoy in my life and, hello!, it's FREE. The hours are great for a small branch - open til 8 on weeknights and til 5 on Fri and Sat. Parking's no problem; even if the lot is full there's plenty of street parking.

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!

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.

A beautiful historic library. Incredible Interlibrary loans service. I often bring my laptop here…read moreto do work.

This is a cute little book shop along the strip. It's like out of a romance novel---by a cute crepe…read moreshop, coffee shop, record star and bar. The book selection is good---a lot of popular titles, children's books, cooking books and more. There are gift items available too, so it's great if you are looking for a few things for a gift or for yourself! The lady in the shop was friendly and nice!

As a former Rhode Islander, I still continue to order books from Ink Fish Books, because their…read moreselection for children's, teens' books as well as bestsellers is wonderful; Lisa's assistance and prompt delivery is also excellent. Whenever I am visiting Rhode Island, I always make a trip to Ink Fish to check out their attractive book displays and, undoubtedly, get drawn in to purchase several books for my husband and me as well as the children of friends. The atmosphere is also very serene--perfect for hours of browsing!

On September 23, I attended a Sublimation Tote Bag Workshop at 5:30 pm at South Providence Library…read more Canvas tote bags, pre-printed images on sublimation paper, scissors, and heat-resistant tape were laid out on the table. There were two options to design the bag: Option A: Make a collage-style tote using pre-printed images and Option B: Create a fully custom tote using your own images (from your phone, the internet, or personal photos). I took a look at the pre-printed images and they were great for my tote bag. Great job to Sarah for picking these images! There were a great variety. After I chose the pre-printed images and created my design on the canvas tote bag, Sarah showed me how to use the heat press machine. The heat press machine needed to warm up to 390 degrees. Sarah also checked the bag to make sure they're clean and didn't have any creases. I first pressed the background on the sublimation paper face down and then I used heat-resistant tape to hold in place the characters face down on top and pressed again. The tote came out great and it didn't take long at all. The Sublimation Tote Bag Workshop at South Providence Library was so much fun and I was able to create my own one-of-a-kind tote bag using the sublimation press. Sarah was a great instructor and very friendly. Only 4 people including myself were doing the workshop. I hope more people attend the workshops in the future. South Providence Library is located on Prairie Ave and it is a two way narrow street. When I arrived about 5:30pm, it was quite busy and I parked about a block away. There is street parking available.

A historic branch…read more Most branch libraries are pretty small and undistinguished, useful but certainly not very interesting or aesthetically appealing. But there are exceptions. The South Providence Branch Library is one of those exceptions. Designed and built by Howe and Rathbone in 1930, the library was actually placed on the National Registry of Historic Places in 1998. Not one of the grand and stunning libraries that are so common around New England, this library does have it's charms. Nice staircases and lighting and even a fireplace or two, it's obvious that this library isn't just something thrown up by the lowest bidder. Parking can be a be iffy and the building doesn't really stand out from the outside, but this library deserves more than just a casual glance to appreciate it's beauty.

An itty bitty…read more library Conimicut Library is small place that is easy to go right by. It looks just like many of the small houses in this beachy area and I suspect that's exactly what it was at one time. Very quaint and unobtrusive. Of course since it is so tiny the library isn't the best place to find some esoteric tome or reference source. The much larger main Warwick Library would be a much better choice for serious research. This library serves the local community and does that well. It has some comfy chairs, a nice fireplace and a very causal and cool atmosphere that is immediately apparent. One table still had arts and craft material from some craft project and pictures and local notices are plastered on many of the walls. Lots of these notices concern projects and programs for children. Obviously the focus here is on kids. Of course they do have books, CD's and DVD's but don't expect a lot of variety. This is a very small but very pleasant local retreat. Just quietly going about it's business the same way it has been doing for a long time. An itty bitty library

As the other review stated, this is a *very* small library. Don't judge a book by it's cover…read morethough! see what I did there? The traffic through here is minimal and there is a decent selection of children's books. I love the main branch, don't get me wrong, but this one doesn't have tablets and touch screen computers that the kids can immediately jump on and zombify themselves with. They actually chose to *gasp* read! And play. And do crafts. There are computers for patrons of the teen/adult variety, but thankfully they are tucked away near the entrance and away from the children's area. This location does not have self checkout, which is refreshing! Human beings helping you out instead of machines? Love it. Wow... I really sound like a luddite.... Anyway.... Yes the selection of books/movies is limited, but you can simply order whatever you'd like to read/watch and pick it up at any location. The bathroom is clean and I love the added touch of a fireplace with cozy chairs beside it. The librarians are LOVELY. Very kind and helpful. They really helped the kids enjoy the whole experience and the craft offered while we were there was adorable. Now if only they would get a pet tarantula like the main... 6 STARS!!!! But until that day, 5 stars it is!!!