There are two public libraries in the Town of Smithfield, RI: the East Smithfield Public Library and the Greenville Public Library. Each library is a separate 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization registered with the State of Rhode Island. Roughly half of the public libraries in Rhode Island are private non-profits, with the rest being municipal departments.
FAQ
Q: Where can I find more information about the libraries?
A: Every year the libraries must submit detailed information (such as data on any supporting organizations, i.e. Friends of the Library or foundations and their respective information; board of trustees composition, policies, membership, and training; granular collection and programming expenditures and attendance; the titles, educations, and salaries of every library employee; all income sources; the mutually agreed-upon division of funds in municipalities with more than one library, etc.) to the RI State Office of Information and Library Services (OLIS) to qualify for state aid. These surveys are certified, validated, and audited by OLIS, with any out-of-range value requiring documentation. All survey results are made publicly available at OLIS' website, https://olis.ri.gov/programs-and-support/library-statistics/public-library-annual-survey/reports/2025.
As registered 501(C)(3) nonprofits, both libraries' IRS 990 forms are also publicly available. These are most easily accessed through the IRS' Tax Exempt Organization Search tool, https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/tax-exempt-organization-search
Q: Who is in charge of the libraries?
A: Both libraries have their own boards of trustees, which anyone is eligible to join by applying. For more information or to apply to become a board member at Greenville Public Library, click here. For more information or to apply to become a board member at East Smithfield Public Library, click here. The daily operations of the libraries are overseen by the directors. The current director of Greenville Public Library is Corrie Alves and the current director of East Smithfield Public Library is Patrick Lyons.
Q: How do I support the libraries?
A: By coming to the libraries to enjoy all the services we provide!
Other Resources
