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For the public library in the city of Newport, South Wales see Newport Central Library

Newport Public Library (RI)
The Newport Public Library
41°28′57.65″N 71°18′44.07″W / 41.4826806°N 71.3122417°W / 41.4826806; -71.3122417
Location	300 Spring Street Newport, Rhode Island, United States of America
Type	Public Library
Established	May 4, 1870
Collection
Size	131,751 (November 2021)
Access and use
Circulation	249,494 (2020)
Population served	25,163 (2020)
Other information
Director	Joseph Logue
Employees	36
Website	http://www.newportlibraryri.org

The Newport Public Library was charted by the State of Rhode Island in 1869. The People’s Free Library opened their doors on May 4, 1870 with the combined collections of the Newport Free Library, Townsend’s curated collection, and the services of the Newport Free Library’s Librarian Elma M. Dame, as the People’s Free Library. ^[1]

History

The library's first home was the Rhode Island Union Bank building on Thames Street. The library moved to the Edward King House in 1914. In October 1968, the library moved to its present location on Spring Street. ^[2]

In the summer of 1865, a significant cultural milestone was achieved in Rhode Island with the establishment of the Newport Free Library and Reading Room. This pioneering institution was founded by two visionaries, Little and Parish, who chose an unconventional yet accessible location for their venture. They set up the library above the plumbery of Joseph M. Lyon, situated at 236 Thames Street, at the intersection with Gidley Street. This choice of location reflected a commitment to making literature and learning accessible to a broader segment of the community.

As the year progressed into winter, Parish made the decision to return to New York, leaving Little to single-handedly manage the burgeoning library. Despite the challenges of running the library alone, Little's dedication and management skills ensured the library not only survived but thrived. Her efforts were instrumental in maintaining a steady flow of readers and fostering a culture of reading and learning in the community.

This library holds the distinction of being the first public library established in Rhode Island, marking a significant chapter in the state's history. It served as a beacon of knowledge and a community hub, offering a diverse range of reading materials and a space for intellectual engagement. The Newport Free Library and Reading Room, under Little's stewardship, became a model for public libraries in the region, demonstrating the vital role such institutions play in enriching the cultural and intellectual fabric of a community. ^[1]

Description

Located in historic Newport, Rhode Island, the public library is housed in a building that sits at the bottom of Aquidneck Park on Spring Street, just east of Newport Harbor. The public library offers the community a collection of materials and services, for adults, children, and teens that are both current and classic.

Services

Library services include:

• Lending books, audiobooks, DVDs, CDs, magazines and other library materials
• Downloadable audiobooks and ebooks
• Library of Things (telescope, sewing machine, serger, analog converters)
• Interlibrary loans
• Public computers with Internet access, as well as WiFi connectivity
• Programming for children, teens, and adults
• A discount bookstore with books, CDs and DVDs

See also

• List of libraries in Rhode Island

References