Jesse M. Smith Memorial Library
🏢 Ocean State Libraries · Burrillville, Rhode Island
Jesse M. Smith Memorial Library
Dedicated in 1906 in the village of Harrisville, the Jesse M. Smith Memorial Library honors a Rhode Island state senator through a community bequest that turned a three-story brick commercial block into Burrillville's cornerstone of learning. It stays open until 8 pm four nights a week and carries everything from metal detectors to museum passes alongside its book collection.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9am–8pm |
| Tuesday | 9am–8pm |
| Wednesday | 9am–8pm |
| Thursday | 9am–8pm |
| Friday | 9am–4pm |
| Saturday | 9am–4pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 100 TINKHAM LANE, BURRILLVILLE, RI 02830
Phone: +1401-710-7800
Website: jmslibrary.org
Plus Code: 87HCX87G+W6 (BURRILLVILLE, RI)
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📖 About Jesse M. Smith Memorial Library
The Jesse M. Smith Memorial Library serves Burrillville, a rural northwest Rhode Island town of rolling mill-village landscapes, from its home in Harrisville. The library owes its existence to a bequest: after Senator Jesse M. Smith (1834–1889), a Burrillville native and horse trader, passed away, Mary E. Smith of Harrisville left land and funds to the town in trust for a public library in his memory. The building was dedicated in fall 1906 as part of the Memorial Block, a three-story brick structure that once housed a bowling alley, assembly hall, and town offices alongside the library room. Today the library operates as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) governed by a five-member board appointed by the Burrillville Town Council. It belongs to the Ocean State Libraries consortium, giving cardholders access to digital collections through the Ocean State eZone and AskRI, as well as the Ancestry.com genealogy database and the Providence Journal.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Founded 1906 through a community bequest honoring Senator Jesse M. Smith (1834–1889), a Burrillville native and Rhode Island legislator
- Part of the Ocean State Libraries consortium — one card unlocks eBooks, audiobooks and research databases via the Ocean State eZone
- Museum passes from the Friends of the Library give reduced admission to Providence Children's Museum, Mystic Aquarium and Hamilton Family Aquarium
- Local history collection on Burrillville and Rhode Island, maintained in partnership with the Town Historian
- Seasonal community events including a StoryWalk on the Riverwalk, summer concerts and a popular Halloween Haunted House
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Burrillville cardholders can borrow, stream and research free through Ocean State Libraries digital collections:
📚 Services
- Ocean State Libraries (OSL) consortium card — borrow from 49 RI member libraries
- Public computers with Microsoft Office and free Wi-Fi
- Printing, copying, scanning and fax services
- Museum passes to Providence Children's Museum, Mystic Aquarium and Hamilton Family Aquarium
- Local history and genealogy collection (appointments: 401-710-7800 x3)
- Meeting room available free to nonprofits (Champlin Room)
- Mobile printing via Princh
🎸 Programs
- Children's storytime and youth programming
- Teen department (grades 6–12) with dedicated activities
- Adult computer classes
- StoryWalk on the Burrillville Riverwalk
- Summer concert series
- Halloween Haunted House and glow-in-the-dark mini golf events
- Summer reading program
📍 Nearby Libraries in Northern Rhode Island
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in BURRILLVILLE · Browse all Rhode Island libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Jesse M. Smith, and why is Burrillville's library named after him?
Jesse M. Smith (1834–1889) was a Burrillville native who worked as a horse trader, operated a livery stable, and served as a senator in the Rhode Island General Assembly. After his death, Mary E. Smith of Harrisville bequeathed land and money to the Town of Burrillville to build a public library in his honor. The library was officially dedicated in fall 1906.
What building is the library in, and what is its history?
The library occupies the Memorial Block in Harrisville, a three-story brick commercial building that once housed a bowling alley, an assembly hall, town offices and a library room — all under one roof. The building was constructed as part of the memorial bequest and has been the library's home since its 1906 dedication.
Can I borrow eBooks or audiobooks with my Burrillville library card?
Yes. The library is part of Ocean State Libraries, Rhode Island's 49-member consortium. With your card you can borrow digital titles through the Ocean State eZone (ezone.oslri.net), which uses the OverDrive/Libby platform for eBooks and audiobooks — free, 24 hours a day.
Does the library offer museum passes, and which museums participate?
Yes — the Friends of the Jesse M. Smith Memorial Library purchase discounted museum passes for patron use. Current partners include the Providence Children's Museum (half-price for up to 4), Mystic Aquarium ($5 off per ticket, up to 4) and the Hamilton Family Aquarium (half-price for up to 4). Check availability at the front desk.
🎨 This library lends museum passes. See how library museum passes work and find other libraries that lend passes museum passes by state.
📜 This library has genealogy & local-history resources. See how library family-history research works and find other libraries with genealogy collections genealogy libraries 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.
📅 This library has meeting & community rooms. See how library meeting rooms work — booking, policies and fees — and find other libraries with meeting or community rooms meeting rooms by state.
✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in October 2026.
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