rhode island - private libraries

Private libraries have a long tradition in Rhode Island. Two of the most noteworthy private membership libraries are:

The Redwood Library in Newport - one of the oldest libraries in the country.

The Providence Athenaeum in Providence.

Many of the public libraries in Rhode Island are still called 'free' libraries. The free libraries were organized and funded by interested parties in many communities to promote reading and to enhance the quality of life. They were often set up with voting shareholders as the governing bodies and were the forerunners for the modern public library system. Many of the current public libraries still retain some of the financial arrangements of the free libraries, with ownership of facilities held in a trust by a Board of Trustees. Those Boards are still generally selected by their members, rather than public officials.

All of the free public libraries now receive grants in aid from the State of Rhode Island, if they meet the minimum standards for public libraries.