East Smithfield Public Library
🏢 Ocean State Libraries (LORI) · Smithfield, Rhode Island
East Smithfield Public Library
Serving the town of Smithfield since 1869 from the village of Esmond, the East Smithfield Public Library is a non-municipal LORI member library with one of Rhode Island's most active Makerspaces — complete with a 3D printer, a laser cutter, and Chomp Saw — and notary appointments available for the community.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9:30am–8pm |
| Tuesday | 9:30am–8pm |
| Wednesday | 9:30am–8pm |
| Thursday | 9:30am–8pm |
| Friday | 9:30am–6:30pm |
| Saturday | 10am–3pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 50 Esmond Street, Smithfield, VA 02917
Phone: (401) 231-5150
Website: myespl.org
Plus Code: 87HCVFFW+M5 (Smithfield, VA)
📱 Scan for directions
Point your phone camera at the code to open turn-by-turn directions in Google Maps.
👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About East Smithfield Public Library
The East Smithfield Public Library traces its roots to 1869 and today serves the greater Smithfield community from a renovated former school building at 50 Esmond Street in the village of Esmond. It grew from two mill-town libraries — the Bernon Library (founded 1872 by Bernon Manufacturing) and the Esmond Library (1916, funded by Esmond Mills) — which merged in 1967 to form the current institution. In 1985, after a community-wide volunteer effort, the library moved to its current location, which has since been expanded to include a Makerspace, a teen space, a children's room, and a conference room. With a collection of approximately 70,000 items, the library is a member of Ocean State Libraries (LORI) and Rhode Island's Online Resource Center AskRI, giving cardholders access to eBooks, audiobooks, research databases, and statewide digital resources. Notary services and one-on-one research appointments with librarians are also available.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Founded 1869 from two Rhode Island mill-town libraries — Bernon (1872) and Esmond (1916) — consolidated in 1967 and moved to its current home in 1985
- Active Makerspace with a 3D printer (PRUSA Core One L, funded by RI Senate grant), laser cutter/engraver, and Chomp Saw safe-cutting tool for kids
- Non-municipal, independently governed public library serving over 20,000 residents of the town of Smithfield
- Notary appointments available; one-on-one research appointments with expert librarians bookable online
- Museum passes to Providence Children's Museum and Roger Williams Park Zoo available for cardholders
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
East Smithfield cardholders can borrow, stream, and research free through Ocean State Libraries and AskRI:
📚 Services
- Notary appointments (book online at myespl.libcal.com)
- One-on-one research appointments with librarians
- Makerspace: 3D printer, laser cutter, Chomp Saw
- Teen Space with weekly Afterschool Teen Club drop-in
- Children's Room with storytimes and STEAM programs
- Conference room for community use
- Museum passes to Providence Children's Museum & Roger Williams Park Zoo
- Public computers, printing, copying, fax, laminating
- Free Wi-Fi
- Interlibrary loan through Ocean State Libraries
🎸 Programs
- Tiny Tots Story Time (18 months–3 years, Tuesdays)
- Preschool Story Time (ages 3–5, Wednesdays)
- Afterschool Teen Club — drop-in with homework help, LEGO, crafts
- Makerspace workshops: 3D printing, laser engraving, Snap Circuits
- Coffee, Cake & Conversation adult book discussion (Tuesdays)
- Weird Lit Book Club (adults, monthly)
- Summer Reading Program for all ages
- Board of Trustees public meetings
📍 Nearby Libraries in Northern Rhode Island
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in Smithfield · Browse all Virginia libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What Makerspace equipment does the East Smithfield Public Library have?
The library's Makerspace includes a PRUSA Core One L 3D printer (funded by a $2,000 RI Senate grant), a Zing laser cutter and engraver, and a Chomp Saw — a safe cutting tool designed for kids to use with cardboard. Drop-in and registered workshops are offered regularly; check the events calendar at myespl.libcal.com.
Does the East Smithfield Public Library offer notary services?
Yes. Notary appointments can be booked online through the library's LibCal system at myespl.libcal.com/appointments/notary. The library also offers one-on-one research appointments with librarians by online booking.
How did the East Smithfield Public Library get its name?
The library is named for the eastern part of Smithfield, Rhode Island — historically known as the village of Esmond. It formed in 1967 by merging two older mill-company libraries: the Bernon Library (1872, Georgiaville) and the Esmond Library (1916, Esmond Mills). Since 1985 it has operated from a renovated former school at 50 Esmond Street.
Are museum passes available at the East Smithfield Public Library?
Yes. Cardholders can borrow passes to the Providence Children's Museum and Roger Williams Park Zoo. Ask at the circulation desk or check the library's website for availability and reservation details.
🎨 This library lends museum passes. See how library museum passes work and find other libraries that lend passes museum passes by state.
📋 This library offers notary services. See what a library notary can do — what to bring, fees and appointments — and find other libraries with a notary notary services by state.
🔨 This library has a makerspace / 3D printing. See how library makerspaces and 3D printing work and find other libraries with a makerspace makerspaces by state.
🖨 This library offers printing, copying & fax. See how library printing, copying, scanning and fax services work — costs and mobile printing — and find other libraries that offer them printing & fax by state.
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