Greetings from the Newport Public Library!

The desire to travel after the holding pattern we’ve all been in is real. So, when the itch to travel came, I wanted to do it safely. Cue a 5 hour car ride (I’m driving!) from the Jersey Shore to the luscious cliff-lined ocean vistas of beautiful Newport, Rhode Island.

When researching what to do in the Newport area (I’m a librarian-to-be, research is simply what I do!), one place that stuck out on the destination lists was none other than the Newport Public Library! More specifically, the Friends Bookstore, a bookstore-within-a-library that I just couldn’t pass up! My boyfriend and I parked outside and walked into the library just like we were one of the locals. That facade of nonchalance disappeared quickly as I became totally excited to see just how amazing this entire library really was!

At the Friends Bookstore, items were well-organized on shelves and tables in an open lobby area (see photo above). There was a small children’s section, a magazine shelf, and a book cart stocked full of DVDs and Blu-rays that could be easily browsed front to back by spinning the cart around. These deeply discounted materials were impressive in their quantity and quality. An honor system payment box on the wall allowed for shopping outside of standard bookstore hours (12pm - 4pm most days).

Not to be outdone, there was a whole room (relatively small but put to good use) off to the side of this space which contained wonderful curated displays and carefully organized sections (children’s interest, local history, nature, general fiction, nonfiction, etc.) I had never shopped a library book sale where all of the books were shelved in a permanent space for easy browsing. It was wonderful!

I ended up leaving with my arms full of some really choice finds (more on these books in a future post!), all for a grand total of $8. Win-win. As if this weren’t enough, we walked up the stairs to the main library space… and that’s when I really starting geeking hard. Check this place out!

Now that I have your attention! A bright green New Fiction feature at the Newport Public Library

View from the hallway connecting the children’s section to the main adult section. Bright green built-in bookshelves in this photo highlight the newest nonfiction books in the collection.

A quick-reference computer, complete with hand sanitizer, sits in front of a slatwall highlighting Kirkus Reviews’ Best Books of 2020. A brilliant use of wall space and an easy way to regularly showcase awarded and recognized materials. I also spotted a Reese’s Book Club endcap - very cool!

A very handsome patron (my boyfriend) browsing a shelf of DVDs, audiobooks, and “Binge Boxes” which each contain 6-7 cleverly curated DVD selections such as Shakespeare Remixed, The Civil Rights Movement, Alfred Hitchcock and Mel Brooks, Video Game Films and Armchair Traveler collections. These boxes have a 3-week borrowing period.

A slatwall “bulletin board” just off of the main adult area, promoting upcoming events, reader’s advisory materials, and general library information. Pamphlets on the left-hand side feature guides to library genealogy and language resources, and an eBook borrowing How-To.

Bulletin boards in the hallway/lobby of the library’s main entrance off the parking lot. Grab & Go holds await pickup on tables under attractively designed fliers promoting upcoming events for all ages.

I loved exploring this library and getting new ideas for promoting library collections and services. I would encourage any librarian within driving distance to check this place out, and enjoy! If you still need a little inspiration to visit Newport, I’m just gonna leave these right here…