Time to retire…read more The Essex Public Library is a cool looking stone library that isn't very large. Built like it could last forever, unfortunately or perhaps fortunately it won't. At least not as a library. The cool looking stone part is fine but the isn't very large part is what dooms it. I'm sure it will survive as something, it is just to cool looking to destroy, but it's library days are almost gone. The library was built back in 1939 and the massive stone walls survived whatever nature could throw at it with ease. Cozy and very pleasant inside, the venerable old library just could expand no further. Just no more room to put computers and other new necessitates. So it was decided to build a new library that is much larger, more convenient, more user friendly and much more modern. It is scheduled to open in 2014. The old library is not very easy to get into, steep stairs get slippery in the rain or snow and it must be difficult for anyone with a handicap to manage. The library is wonderful once you manage to get in, cozy, comfy, with a great sense of history. The stairs down to the kid's department has a fantastic mosaic covering both walls. Absolutely stunning to look at, I hope this somehow makes it to the new library. Yeah, a new library is needed and will serve the community much better. But seeing this building retired will still be sad. Hopefully it can be turned into some type of museum or educational edifice. Time passes and the old fade into the mists of time and the new takes over. Doesn't matter if it's a building or a person, time will always have it's way.

It's a place where I can focus to read and make a work or thinking in create something. I enjoyed…read morethis space for a long time in my first visiting to Tiverton.

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.

Had the opportunity to spend some time in the library while touring the Salve Regina campus. This…read moreplace is simply breathtaking! The campus is primarily old mansion and then in the middle of it is the modern religious structure. Really large tinted windows make the inside fee open, but there's no harsh glare or heat while you're sitting and reading. They had an extensive selection of large scale children's books, the kind you would want if you were hosting circle time to 20 kids that need to be able to clearly see the illustrations. Also got to see the scarf (sash? Not sure of the correct word) that the Dali Lama gifted to the school when he gave a speech here. How cool is that? This space alone almost convinced me to attend this university. Now if I could just afford the tuition...

Being the nerd that I am, I came here on my birthday. Since last year, I've been challenging myself…read moreto visit all public libraries in the state of Rhode Island. This was the 10th one I visited. Since it was a Friday morning, there weren't many people there. However, when we first walked in, we overheard someone teaching little kids Spanish in a very animated way; it was very cool to see important programs like this in action. We were planning on spending some time here reading, so had my book with me. A friendly librarian stopped me to tell me how good the book I had was which reassured my decision to pick it up. We went down an aisle that led to the children's library. They had fun little puzzles and announcements on the wall. I noticed that in one section, the books had stickers on the spines to categorize by genre which was really cool. I also saw they had Viola Davis' memoir, so I snatched that quickly. In the distance, we saw a table covered with a huge coloring page and color pencils. We spent about 20 minutes coloring, which was very therapeutic and fun. When we got up, we noticed a shelf with a bunch of items to loan for a week including tools and equipment, health and fitness stuff, fun and games, and electronic and technology. To give an idea, some stuff I saw included: hopscotch set, leaf blower, therapy lamp, and power drill. They were organized by category which was very helpful. The staff here were very friendly and we were very impressed with this library. They also do have EV parking/ charging stations which is cool - it might be the first library I see with that feature.

It's weird to review a library right? I'm going to blame it on COVID, like I do everything…read morenowadays. Just kidding. BUT this library really has been a lifesaver during "these trying times". They have great COVID procedures if you must enter, but they also offer curbside services - and best of all, they make these amazing craft/learning kits for preschoolers all the way up to teens. Entertaining kids this past year has been such a challenge and the letter packets this library makes for preschoolers are so fun and creative. My kid loves them. And every single librarian we've met outside the library has been friendly - even the poor gentleman who came outside in snowy, 21 degree weather to bring me a letter packet. Thank you Middletown Library! Saving parents sanity, one craft kit at a time.

The best local public library any community could ask for! There is not only offer a full range of…read morereading - supplemented by a state wide network - but their on-site activities are spectacular! They have a special kids' room and programming. They offer movies, yoga, quilting and knitting groups and my favorite, the Tuesday afternoon mag Jong group! The employees (and volunteers) are wonderfully helpful and friendly adding a nice sense of comradery. Come down and use the computers or fax machine or just sit in the lovely, peaceful rooms and read!

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.

Charming and peaceful. Enjoyed the complementary seeds for the garden. Great local spotread more

A library that…read more feels like a home Way back in the year 1888 a generous and benevolent fellow named Joseph Langworthy decided he wanted to leave something to the town of Hope Valley to remember him by. He threw around some ideas with family members and came up with the inspiration of a library. So he donated five thousand dollars and started the Joseph Langworthy Public Library. In the beginning the library had a whopping 800 books but quickly grew. In fact it grew so much that they town officials had to keep finding new places to put the library. Finally in 1934 they decided to build a new structure that would have enough room for future improvements. Although a new wing was completed in 1957 the building looks pretty much the way it did when it was built. That's part of the huge charm of the library, it feels and looks more like someones house rather than a stuffy old library. A very pleasant and friendly young lady was working inside and she answered my stupid questions and told me to look around. This library is exceptionally cozy, with a fireplace, fish tank and lots of very cool pictures on the walls. You go down some steep wooden steps and you end up in the children's department. When I was there some kids were playing on the floor and there were toys all over the place. Obvious a place for doing more than just reading. The library has an archives room with lots of local history, genealogy and civil war and colonel records. It's usually staffed by volunteers so you either have to make arraignments or be lucky to use it. The library also has knitting and craft groups, book clubs and tons of books on plants and gardening. I guess being out in the boonies puts an emphasis on botany and agronomy literature. A very cool library that has a relaxed and homey feel to it. It even has a great view of a nice pond out the back. A great place to learn or experience the feel of a small New England town.

I'm challenging myself to visit all public libraries in the state of Rhode Island this year. This…read morelibrary was the fifth one I visited. The first thing I noticed that made this library unique was the park in the backyard of the library. It's huge and beautiful, especially in the summer when the plants and trees bloom (I imagine), and there are statues and fountains. I walked around the park before heading inside to check out the library. There are so many nooks and crannies in this library, it's like everywhere you turn there's a cozy spot to do homework or read a good book. There was a book club in session while we were there. They also had a maritime museum, where they had artwork on sale and it was pretty cool. One other thing that caught my attention was these plants they had growing in little glass tubes in their plant library section. Downstairs by the entrance they also have a healthy variety of plants that look well taken care of. I really enjoyed my time here.

A grand old…read more library Westerly Public Library was opened way back in 1894 to commemorate the volunteers that fought in the civil war. It was built on land donated by Stephen Wilcox and originally held about 5,000 books. Actually a pretty large number for the time. Since then it has changed and grew and doubled in size with the additions in 1992. It now has 170,000 items including audio books, cd's and of course computers. However, even with all the modern additions and conveniences, it has never lost the cool, old feel and ambiance. The outside of the library is impressive. Like some grand old Victorian home or mansion. I have heard that when the library first opened it held a bowling alley and gymnasium. They are now long gone but it's easy to see how they could have fit because this library is huge, with all kinds of spaces, hallways and cool little study and meeting rooms. The library is a very efficient place to work and the librarians are helpful and friendly. However the real charm of the library is the building itself. Such a cool place just to walk around and look at the architecture and cool decor. Lots of places to sit by yourself and read of just look out a window. If you get tired of being inside you can stroll around the grounds or sit outside on a bench and admire the grand old building from the outside. There are lots of libraries in the world. Most are friendly and efficient places to work or get information. However few I have seen have the impressive grandeur and sense of history of the Westerly Public Library. It would be a very cool place even without the books and computers.

This library is amazing, especially for children. The children's area is packed with books and toys…read morefor all ages. The programs are great and all of the staff are so kind and welcoming.

I have visited libraries in RI and CT and I love that my parents live close to this one. For kids…read morethey have the best area, away from the adult section with plenty of books, computers and toys. They have events almost everyday and really try to get the community involved. A great selection of movies for adults and kids alike. Books and magazines galore along with an adult computer area where you can get online and print out what you need (for a small fee). This library can request books from within the seconn system (southeast Connecticut) interlibrary and they will notify you when you can come pick up your holds. A wonderful place to occupy the kids on a rainy day or even come read some books for summer. The hours are good and the staff is always helpful.