Woonsocket Harris Public Library, Woonsocket, Rhode Island

On a late August afternoon, Greg found himself once again in Lil’ Rhody, the biggest little state in the Union. His destination this time was the Woonsocket Harris Public Library in Woonsocket.

In 2020, the city's population was 43,240. Like many of the communities along the Blackstone River, Woonsocket was an industrial town. The city grew rapidly during the 19th and 20th centuries, attracting many French and French-Canadian workers to its textile mills. That little bit of history will make more sense later on.

Arriving at the library, Greg found a low-slung, brick Modern/Industrial building opened in 1974. Austere, but not without its charms. There was plenty of parking, a nice nautical flagpole, and a small history walk at the side of the library.

The experience of the interior was surprising. A tall ceiling with lots of glass meant there was plenty of natural light. Immediately as you enter, there is a round window in a wooden wall. It’s pretty cool.

The entire adult collection is primarily in one large space. It is divided by stacks, tables, and a few short walls that verge almost on columns. The area closest to the entrance and circulation desk is new materials, media, and “traveling toys,” for kids.

One thing that struck Greg was the size - and age - of the library’s French language collection. He found a few clues. A display case featured newspapers and school books in French. Speaking to a reference librarian, Greg learned a little about the city’s Francophone history. The collection is no longer actively managed, with Spanish now the city’s second language and the emphasis for world languages.

The reference area is to the right. It features twelve public computers that were in heavy use during Greg’s visit. There were also multiple microfilm readers, and a cabinet of films of the newspapers going far into the past.

At the opposite end of the library is Childrens. There was a lot to love in this section, starting with the Children’s Librarian. She has been at the library for years and has a a good and clear understanding of the kids. She told Greg there were four schools within walking distance, and that the kids were pretty well behaved (but everyone has their moments).

There’s a lot going on in here. There are seven public computers, play areas, a puppet playhouse, and a wall of resources on local history. The thing Greg loved the most about this area was how toys or stuffed animals were on the top of the stacks to guide young readers to the right section. It was the first time he’d seen this novel approach to wayfinding.

The library was busy during this visit. There are a lot of tables and seating areas, a large program room, and two study rooms. One of the things Greg liked seeing was the fact that unsheltered patrons were allowed to use the library in peace. Sadly, that isn’t always the case.

Greg sat and read for a while, and relaxed. This is a fine small city library that has a lot going for it. It also reflects the changes the city has undergone, and the way the library has responded.