February/March 2026 -- Programs & Events

Exhibition in process. See everyone next week!

PARIS+FRIENDS, Opening February 23, 2026

Providence Public Library (PPL), in collaboration with Providence Art, Culture and Tourism, AS220, and OPEN, will honor the legacy of Adrian “Paris” Fernandez with the group exhibition called “PARIS+FRIENDS” at PPL’s Exhibition Gallery and YOU are invited to include your work.

The exhibition pays tribute to Paris by mirroring his style – invitation, collaboration,

and determination. The resulting show will highlight Paris’ artwork alongside the many friends who collaborated with him over the years – past, present and future.

Whether or not Paris ever programmed your work, if this call speaks to you – if you

knew Paris, if he hung your show, if you collaborated with him, if you spent time

together thinking through life’s mysteries, or if you were planning on something together down the line – please consider yourself invited.

The opening for the show will be on Monday, February 23 | 5:00 - 7:00 pm.

Exhibiting in the PARIS+FRIENDS Exhibition at Providence Public Library?

Submission deadline has passed, but if you have a question or need information, contact Rebecca Noon at ACT (rnoon@providenceri.gov).

Young Creators - Music with Community Music Works

Saturday, March 7, 14, 21, 28

10 am - 12:00 pm

PPL Auditorium

Join Community Music Works as they present our latest Young Creators series focused on music. Each of the four sessions will have a unique theme: activities centered around the meditational practice of Deep Listening, exploring the folk traditions of the US through songs, games and square dances, diverse violin music from cultures around the world, and improvisation games centered on making music, sounds, and just playing around!

This series is for children ages 8 - 12 years. Participants are strongly encouraged to attend all four sessions. Space is limited. Registration is required.

REGISTER

PPL Presents Slatersville: America's First Mill Village Screening at PPL - Episodes 1 - 8, Beginning Saturday, March 7

Over 4 showings on March 7 & 21 and April 4 & 18, PPL will screen the first 8 episodes of the award-winning series from Christian de Rezendes documenting the 2 ½ century story of Slatersville in RI’s Blackstone Valley.

PPL Donald J. Farish Auditorium, 3rd Floor

Each of the 4 screenings will be broken into 2 episodes with a brief intermission in between.

Slatersville: America’s First Mill Village is an Emmy and Telly award-winning series. This historical docuseries will be told over 11 episodes (8 have been released) and has taken 15 years to produce. It retraces the 2 1/2 Century story of the first industrialized mill village in America, located in the Blackstone Valley of northern Rhode Island. Filmed in 9 states and the UK, Slatersville is directed and edited by filmmaker Christian de Rezendes, a native of the village, and it is educating and entertaining a wide range of audiences around the globe.

REGISTER

Spring Starting a Small Business Workshop Series

Saturdays, March 28 - May 3 | 9 - 11:30 am

Thinking of starting a small business? Get the basics through this FREE six-session and RI SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives).

Experienced SCORE mentors present and discuss the various aspects of planning and owning a business, from start-up to marketing to funding. PPL staff discuss print / electronic resources available at the Library to research your business and marketing plan.

Workshop Topics Include

Business Fundamentals & Business Planning

Sales & Marketing

Financial Management

Creating Your Business Plan

PLEASE REGISTER EARLY

Registration is required. Register at: www.provlib.org/calendar 

Contact Ann with questions at: info@provlib.org or 401-455-8005.

REGISTER

Connecting Stories Book Club...

in Collaboration with Trinity Repertory Company

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin

Wednesday, April 8 | 5:30 - 6:45 pm

Join our next book discussion at PPL, where we read literature related to the plays being performed at Trinity Rep - Season 2025-2026.



The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin shares the themes of Primary Trust by Ebony Booth, being performed April 9, 2026 - May 10, 2026 at Trinity Rep.

REGISTER

The Librarians Film Screening & Panel Discussion at PPL

RESCHEDULED DUE TO SNOW - Now during National Library Week!

Saturday, April 25 | 1 - 3:45 pm

PPL is pleased to present a film screening and panel discussion of the documentary The Librarians directed by Kim A. Snyder. Following the screening, there will be a panel discussion including local librarians and an author who has experienced having books challenged.

When Texas lawmakers seek to review a list of books, librarians find themselves on the frontlines of a national battle. Across the U.S., librarians face the impact of uniting against library collection standards that include restrictions on race-related and LGBTQIA+ content. Drawing on historical context, The Librarians explores the broader implications for education and public life.

Librarians have always had a unique position on the frontline of American debates about free access to information. But in recent years, they’ve been thrust into increasingly visible public roles as book-banning efforts rise in various states. As more published titles come under attack nationwide, librarians have found themselves at the center of controversy. 

The Librarians delves into these charged contemporary topics, giving voice to various librarians and allowing them to share their firsthand experiences, including their understanding of the responsibilities of their profession. The film also gives audiences insights into the background and training that many librarians have, including how they decide to make different materials and ideas available to their local communities.

REGISTER

ON EXHIBITION . . .

TECH CLASSES & TRAININGS . . .

Upcoming Classes. . .

Computer classes, in English or Español, at the American Job Centers

Las clases de computación, en inglés o en español, en los

American Job Centers

Current classes are full. Please complete our interest form for future classes.

Digital Navigation / Navegación Digital

One-on-One Help for Adults,

by Appointment

Ayuda Uno-a-Uno para Adultos,

con Cita Previa

Assistance for adults to develop digital skills; in-person, virtually, or by phone.

• Access to the Internet and digital resources
• Intake interview and needs assessment
• Basic computer skills
• Mobile apps
• Northstar Digital Literacy
• Information about community services & programs

* We cannot repair devices, fix software, or handle viruses.

Apoyo para adultos desarrollar habilidades digitales; en-persona, virtualmente, o por teléfono.

• Acceso al Internet y recursos digitales
• Entrevista inicial y evaluación de necesidades
• Habilidades de computación básicas
• Aplicaciones móviles
• Northstar Digital Literacy
• Información sobre servicios y programas comunitarios

* No podemos reparar dispositivos, arreglar software, ni manejar virus.

Visit StoryWalk at PPL!

Plan to take our StoryWalk on your next visit!

Come in to take in StoryWalk at PPL! The StoryWalk begins in the Lobby. Hope to see you soon!

StoryWalk is made possible with support from the Rhode Island Office of Library and Information Services. The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library in Montpelier Vermont. Storywalk® is a registered service mark owned by the Kellogg-Hubbard Library.

Have you heard the most recent episode of PPL's podcast. Listen here!

THIS, THAT, And ANOTHER: Providence Public Library's official podcast about all things PPL and the communities we serve

We invite you to listen to PPL's podcast on Spotify. Tune in to stay up to date on PPL news, programs, and events and connected to local authors, artists, and other voices from our community. We’ll talk about books, films, history, library collections and programs, and other topics of interest with members of our library staff and guests.

Don't have the Spotify app? Stream at: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/providencepubliclibrary. 

Looking for a Book Club?

We Have You Covered!

Check out our ongoing monthly book clubs. Our History Hijinks Book Club meets both in person and via Zoom on the first Monday of each month. Meanwhile, our other clubs, the Mystery Book Club, Brown Bag Book Club, Romantasy Book Club and the Book Reader's Guide to the Galaxy Book Club, all meet in person monthly at the Library!

Check out their schedules and upcoming reads

Looking for your next great read?

More Awesome Stories!

Hear from Another PPL Alum

At PPL, stories have always been at the heart of what we do. Our stacks are filled with books that hold countless tales waiting to be explored. Yet, there is another treasure we value just a much...if not more – the stories from members of our community. We'd like to share more of our Alum stories here....for more, visit: www.provlib.org/support-us/ppl-alum/

If you're so inspired....please consider sharing YOUR library story with us! If you love PPL and all we do, we welcome your generous support! Every gift helps us continue our transformative work! THANK YOU!

Interested in touring PPL . . .

We're excited to share our newly renovated Library with you! Join us for a tour of our renovated Empire Street building on Wednesdays at 11 am. We'll also tour our historic 1900 building. Meet us at the 150 Empire Street entrance.

Check our calendar for available dates and to sign up.