Newport Public Library

Newport Public Library is a historic library located in Newport, Rhode Island, United States, and is a member of the Ocean State Libraries consortium, which includes libraries such as the Providence Public Library and the Woonsocket Harris Public Library. The library was established in 1867 with the help of Andrew Carnegie, John Jacob Astor, and other prominent Newport residents, including Julia Ward Howe and Thomas Wentworth Higginson. The library's early collection included works by William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, and Jane Austen, and was influenced by the Boston Public Library and the New York Public Library. The library has been supported by various organizations, including the Newport Historical Society and the Redwood Library and Athenaeum.

● History

The **Newport Public Library** has a rich history dating back to 1867, when it was founded with the help of Andrew Carnegie, John Jacob Astor, and other prominent Newport residents, including Julia Ward Howe and Thomas Wentworth Higginson. The library's early collection included works by William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, and Jane Austen, and was influenced by the Boston Public Library and the New York Public Library. The library has been supported by various organizations, including the Newport Historical Society and the Redwood Library and Athenaeum, and has hosted events featuring notable authors such as Edith Wharton and Henry James. The library has also been involved in various community initiatives, including partnerships with the Newport County government, the City of Newport, and the Rhode Island State Library.

● Architecture

The **library building** was designed by the renowned architectural firm McKim, Mead & White, which also designed the Boston Public Library and the New York Public Library. The building features a mix of Renaissance Revival and Beaux-Arts styles, with a grand staircase and a large reading room, similar to those found in the Library of Congress and the British Library. The building has undergone several renovations and expansions over the years, including a major renovation in the 1990s, which was supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The library's architecture has been influenced by other notable buildings, including the Newport Mansions and the Trinity Church.

● Collections

The **library's collection** includes over 100,000 items, including books, audiobooks, e-books, DVDs, and other materials, with a focus on American literature, history, and art. The collection includes works by notable authors such as Herman Melville, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Edith Wharton, as well as rare books and manuscripts, including a first edition of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. The library also has a significant collection of local history materials, including books, photographs, and other documents related to Newport, Rhode Island, and has partnered with the Newport Historical Society to digitize and make available online many of these materials, including the Newport Daily News and the Newport Mercury. The library's collection has been supported by various organizations, including the Rhode Island Historical Society and the Brown University Library.

● Services

The **library offers** a range of services to the community, including free Wi-Fi, computer access, and printing and copying services, similar to those offered by the Providence Public Library and the Woonsocket Harris Public Library. The library also offers research assistance and reader's advisory services, and has a team of experienced librarians who can help patrons find the information they need, including genealogy research and local history research. The library has partnered with other organizations, including the Newport County government and the City of Newport, to offer additional services, such as job training programs and small business development resources, and has hosted events featuring notable speakers, including Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot and Nicholas Kristof.

● Community Programs

The **library hosts** a range of community programs and events, including author readings, book clubs, and children's storytime, similar to those offered by the Boston Public Library and the New York Public Library. The library also offers summer reading programs and other activities for children and teens, and has partnered with local organizations, including the Newport Art Museum and the Island Moving Company, to offer additional programs and services, including art classes and dance performances. The library has also hosted events featuring notable performers, including Itzhak Perlman and the Newport Jazz Festival, and has been supported by various organizations, including the National Endowment for the Arts and the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts. The library's community programs have been recognized by various organizations, including the American Library Association and the Public Library Association. Category:Libraries in Rhode Island