About Us
History
Hope Library is located in the heart of historic Hope Village, in the town of Scituate, RI. Originally housed in the basement of a local church, the library was able to move to its present location due to the generosity of Miss Alice M. Howland, the librarian, and the efforts of the Hope Library Association, of which Miss Howland was the first president. The Hope Library Association formed in 1944 with the purpose of improving the library facilities for the Hope community. The original site for a new building was to be donated by the Methodist Episcopal Church. However, in 1965 Miss Howland gave permission to use some of the land donated by her for “public park and recreation uses” for the new Hope Library building. The town of Scituate gave the deed to the library association on the condition the building be completed within two years. In September of 1966 the library was dedicated.
In 1989, due to the growing population, Hope Library began a much-needed addition, doubling its size. Mounted on a granite pedestal with a cobblestone terrace is one of the original Hope Furnace Cannons, forged from the Hope Furnace Foundry, “dedicated to the men and women of the Village of Hope, Rhode Island, who have served their country in time of conflict.”
In 2003, Hope Library underwent another transformation, with the addition of a new Children’s Room. The room now occupies a large area in the library’s lower level, complete with computers, bean bag chairs, DVDs, audiobooks, and a fresh water fish tank.
Today, Hope Library is able to offer its growing community a number of services, including the latest bestsellers for adults, in both print and e-book versions, award-winning books for children, public access to the Internet, Wi-Fi, programs for all ages, up-to-date reference materials, audiobooks and a large collection of both fiction and non-fiction DVDs.
Mission/Vision
Hope Library will provide patrons of all ages with diverse and easily accessible materials, services and programs to enhance and promote lifelong learning. The Library’s collection offers a variety of formats, including print and electronic versions, and emphasizes recreational and leisure materials. Hope Library is committed to meeting the needs of, and providing equal access to all users, and encourages the free flow of ideas in order to educate, entertain, enrich and inform our patrons. Special emphasis is placed on stimulating young children’s interest and appreciation for reading and learning. The Library also supports the educational needs of students through the twelfth grade. The Library upholds the principles of intellectual freedom, the citizen’s right to information, the right to confidentiality of users’ records, and opposes censorship. Hope Library is committed to excellence in service, and will meet the needs of the public through continuing evaluation, assessment, and planning.
Policies
Please click here to review the library’s policies.
Hope Library Association
HOPE LIBRARY provides our patrons with entertainment, lifelong learning, internet access, and social engagement, but we can’t do it without the support of our dedicated Association members. For more information about becoming a member of the Hope Library Association, please visit our Donate page.
Board
Board of Trustees members are library advocates who help plan for the future of Hope Library. If you are interested in becoming a Board member, or would like additional information, please contact any of the current Board members, or stop by the library and speak with the Director. Board Meetings are held on the 3rd Monday of the month, at 6:00 PM.
Come enjoy a free beverage in our cozy lounge!