Mission

The Pontiac Free Library strives to provide reading and informational resources for all our patrons in a pleasant and inviting atmosphere. We endeavor to meet the needs of our patrons by providing a well-rounded collection of leisure reading materials as well as reference resources in a variety of formats utilizing the latest technologies.

Hours 

Contents

• Hours
• What's New?
• History
• Did You Know?
• Just for Kids
• Links
• Directions
• Staff/Board Member
  Section

Questions?
Comments?
Suggestions?

Staff

Directions

For exact directions from your home, click here for Yahoo! Maps and Driving Directions and enter your address.

From Route I-95 take exit 12 (Route 113-east). At the traffic light make a left turn onto Route 5 north. Follow for 0.8 miles to the blinking light with the Pontiac Mills on your right. Take a right at the fork with signs pointing toward Greenwich Avenue and Pontiac Library for 0.5 miles. Pontiac Library is at 101 Greenwich Avenue and is the first building on the left after the All Saints Church.

From Route I-295 take the Warwick exit for Route 2 South (Bald Hill Road). At first traffic light near Sears (R.I. Mall) make a U-turn. From Route 2 north take your first right near Warwick Mall - Access Road (West Natick Road). Pass Warwick Medical Building and Macy's to Route 5. A Sleepy's store will be diagonally across Route 5. Cross Route 5 and travel one block taking your first left to Pontiac Library at 101 Greenwich Avenue.

Pontiac Free Library

101 Greenwich Ave.
Warwick, RI 02886
Phone: 737-3292
Click here to email us.

Click here to access our Library Catalog.
Click here to access the ProQuest Information and Learning database.
(You will need to enter your library card barcode number.)
Click here to access the EBSCOhost Research Databases.
(You will need to enter your library card barcode number.)

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Updated: June 8, 2009

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What's New?

Check Out Our Summer Activities!

Click here to download/print the summer activities flyer in PDF format.

 Join us for the Summer Reading Program 2009:

"Be Creative @ your library"

(An independent reading program for children from preschool-grade 6)

Sign up begins Monday, June 22

Sponsored by RI Office of Library and Information Services, Institute of Museum and Library Services,
McDonald”s Local Owner/Operators of RI, the Pawtucket Red Sox, Citizens Bank, and Rhode Island’s
Children’s Librarians.

  Creative Kids—craft time for children ages 6 - 11

Summer Craft Time for childern 6 to 11 years of age will be held on
Thursdays at 3:30 PM from July 2 through August 6. Come and create some summer memories!

 

  Preschool Story Time for children ages 3 - 5

  Story Time for children 3 to 5 years of age will be held on
Tuesday mornings at 10 AM from June 30 through August 4.
Come and join in the fun!

  Storyteller Carolyn Martino

Families with children ages 3 - 11 are invited to a performance by storyteller
 
Carolyn Martino 

on Thursday, August 13 at 3:30 PM.

Call us at 737-3292 for more information on any of the summer programs.

  Book Discussion Group

The book discussion group will be on hiatus during the
months of June, July and August and will return in the fall. 
 

  You can become a Literacy Volunteer!

  Click on the image below for more information.




 

Located in the historic mill village of Pontiac, the Pontiac Free Library Association was founded in 1884.

The Pontiac Mills, established by Robert and Benjamin Knight during the mid-1800's, was home to the "Fruit of the Loom" clothing label. The mills and the Knight family had a great impact on the village and it's residents.

The Library was created due to the efforts of several village residents; today we recognize mainly Rev. Laurence B. Thoumad, Carl Sundin, and David Alexander, superintendant of the Pontiac Mills. Miss Edith Knight, a relative of Robert and Benjamin, spent much time acting as librarian. Most of the Library's funds were raised through suppers and concerts hosted by Miss Knight.

In later years, the Library began to expand. A trust fund was created through the Knight family's continuing interest and generous funds left by Edith Knight. The Rhode Island Hospital Trust Company aided in this endeavor and the fund was created in 1943.

The present brick structure was erected in 1957. After World War II, the Library was finally able to offer better service and hours. The new building was opened to borrowers on February 10, 1957, the very day after its dedication.

Last Updated: June 8, 2009