Ashaway Free Library - Ashaway, Rhode Island USA - Libraries on Waymarking.com

Thanks to founders Hannah Cundall and Sylvia Salisbury, the Ashaway Free Library began in 1871 with the two local women's monetary donations and about 650 books. It is located in the unincorporated village of Ashaway (population 1,485 in 2010) within the southwestern Rhode Island town of Hopkinton.

The modest structure retains the look of its schoolhouse origins. It is clad in white siding, covered by a steeply pitched roof with dark shingles, and has a cupola topped by a shining brass feather weather vane. A carved sign - painted blue with the library's name in gilded letters - hangs from a weathered wood post in front of the building on the northeast corner of the property. The former Ashaway Kindergarten building was purchased at auction for $101.00 in 1907 and was moved to its current location at the corner of Knight Street and High Street (Rte 126) by log rollers and wagon.

Renovations took place in 1954 and an addition was built on the west side in 1965. New construction including a wheelchair ramp was underway along the southwest side of the library on the day of my visit.

Services and materials for the 1,000-plus patrons include:

• 23,000 books
• Magazines, DVDs, Audio Books, and a 550+ CD collection
• Technology Tutoring
• Passes to The Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center, and discount passes for The Roger Williams Park Zoo, and The Mystic Aquarium
• Wireless Internet Connection

The Ashaway Free Library is a member of the Ocean State Libraries consortium. As a member of OSL, which serves the Rhode Island community by sharing materials, services, and electronic resources, library card holders may check out and return books from and to here and any other OSL member institution in the state.

15 Knight Street
Ashaway, Rhode Island

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