Partner: Richards Free Library

The Richards Free Library is located in Newport, a community of 6500 people that boasts an Arts Center and an Opera House, three covered bridges, and the oldest continuous town Winter Carnival in the country.  Built in 1899 as a home, the library is on the National Historic Register and comes with a ballroom on its third floor.  Annually, since 1956 the trustees of the library have presented the Sarah Josepha Hale Medal to prominent writers with a connection to New England.  The list of recipients begins with Robert Frost and includes Arthur Miller, Robert B. Parker, Ellen Goodman and Henry Louis Gates.    The Richards Free Library mission is to assist people in their search for reliable information, self-education, greater understanding, and intellectual enjoyment by providing a spectrum of materials, services and programs.  The library also provides space for the gathering of people and ideas to enrich themselves and the community.  They will be working with Newport High School on this year's Big Read.