Upcoming Events
Events List Navigation
Dungeons and Dragons AND a Cool Craft Cart
Join us to share epic adventures and battle deadly foes in this popular, role-playing game. All levels of experience are welcome--and everybody gets a chance to play! Also available is a Cool Craft Cart with supplies for simple crafts for those who would rather create than defend! See you at 2:30 in the Meeting Room.
Find out more »Computer Basics
Learn to use the mouse, keyboard, manage files, email and surf the web. No experience necessary
Find out more »Fall Festival of Books: Read Around the Globe
The Fall Festival of Books is an annual readers' advisory event hosted by the Portsmouth Public Library. This year's event is Tuesday, September 25th from 3:00-7:00 pm at the Main Branch and offers something for everyone--from books to author talks to live music! From 3:00-7:00pm our staff will be available to offer personal assistance with displays of fiction and non-fiction books from all reading genres to offer you a myriad of ways to travel to worlds and places unknown...without having to leave your cozy chair or spending a dime! From 4:00-5:30pm members of the local River Valley Writers' Group will…
Find out more »Computer Games
Play fun Steam games such as Paladins and Brawlhala, or explore awesome Minecraft worlds and mods! Join us at 2:30 in the Computer lab.
Find out more »Teen Book Group: Literary Thursday series
Join other readers to share in lively discussions of selected monthly YA titles. Today's discussion is centered around the novel The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. The classic companion novel that will also be discussed is Salinger's Catcher in the Rye. The group meets at 2:30 in the Meeting Room at the Main Branch.
Find out more »Art Works: Necklace Craft
Craft with your PPL! Join staff in the Quiet Room at the Main Branch to create a washer-designed necklace. Registration is required in advance and a $5 fee is due at the time of registration. Registration opens September 1st.
Find out more »Minute to Win it Games
Enjoy a friendly competition against your friends as well as the clock in these fun, fast-paced games for a chance to win prizes! Games begin at 2:30 in the Meeting Room.
Find out more »Dungeon and Dragons & Craft Cart
Go on epic adventures and battle deadly foes in this popular role-playing game. All levels of experience and skill are welcome! If you prefer to use your imagination for crafting instead then check out the library’s craft cart with full of supplies to make something awesome! Join the fun at 2:30 in the Meeting Room.
Find out more »String Monsters
Bring out your inner mad scientist and bring to life a miniature monster of your own. The library provides all the supplies you’ll need to build and customize your own creation. The program begins at 2:30 in the Meeting Room.
Find out more »River Valley Writers’ Group
Are you interested in learning about the writing process? Or, are you a writer looking for a community of your own? Look no further! Join the River Valley Writers to share your experiences and create relationships with other local authors. The group meets on the first Tuesday of every month from 6:00-7:30pm in the Meeting Room at the Main Branch. For more information please contact the Reference Desk at (740) 354-5688.
Find out more »Computer Games
Teens! Join us for an hour of digital fun to play games like Creativerse and Paladins on the STEAM game database, or put your building skills to the test with Minecraft! Get your game on at 2:30 in the IT lab!
Find out more »Literary Thursdays: Short Stories Group
Think you have to read a whole novel to read a great story? Think again! Join us for a reading and discussion of an amazing story that’s only a few pages long. Ask for your free copy of the story at the reference desk. October’s story is Click Clack the Rattle Bag by Neil Gaiman. Join us at 2:30 in the Meeting Room.
Find out more »Fiction Book Group
Join other adults on the first Friday of every month in the Quiet Room at our Main Branch to discuss selected fiction titles. This book group, hosted by a library staff member, reads a variety of fictional titles to keep things interesting! For more information or to request a copy of this month’s title, call 740-354-5688. October Selection: Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult: Picoult, who boasts eight consecutive No. 1 New York Times best sellers, has a way of turning social issues into strong commercial fiction. Here, parents at a hospital to have a baby insist that one of…
Find out more »Dungeon and Dragons & Craft Cart
Go on epic adventures and battle deadly foes in this popular role-playing game. All levels of experience and skill are welcome! If you prefer to use your imagination for crafting instead then check out the library’s craft cart with full of supplies to make something awesome! Join the fun at 2:30 in the Meeting Room.
Find out more »Knitting & Crochet Group
This group welcomes all crafters of varying levels of experience from beginners to the accomplished. Bring your supplies and join us in the Meeting Room at the Main Branch, or just come to learn what the group is about! For more information, please contact Robin Storey at (740) 357-7591.
Find out more »Glow Slime
Spend a few minutes for hours of fun! Make your own gooey, Glow-In-The-Dark slime ball using a variety of colors. Ooze into the Meeting Room at 2:30.
Find out more »Computer Games
Teens! Join us for an hour of digital fun to play games like Creativerse and Paladins on the STEAM game database, or put your building skills to the test with Minecraft! Get your game on at 2:30 in the IT lab!
Find out more »Literary Thursdays: Science Meets Literature
Hey, Science Lovers! Explore olfactory sensory (your sense of smell) by fashioning necklaces into essential oil diffusers while also checking out a great display of related books at 2:30 in the Meeting Room.
Find out more »Spooktacular Series: Can It Be Explained?: Local Ghost Folklore
Join us in the Copley Meeting Room as our Local History Department hosts a discussion on local ghost folklore. Can it be explained?
Find out more »Dungeon and Dragons & Craft Cart
Go on epic adventures and battle deadly foes in this popular role-playing game. All levels of experience and skill are welcome! If you prefer to use your imagination for crafting instead then check out the library’s craft cart with full of supplies to make something awesome! Join the fun at 2:30 in the Meeting Room.
Find out more »Inspirational Book Group
Join other adults who love to read and discuss the Inspirational Fiction genre. This group, hosted by a library staff member, meets today at 12:00 in the Quiet Room at our Main Branch. October Selection: A Rumored Fortune by Joanna Davidson Politano: Tressa Harlowe's father did not trust banks, but neither did he trust his greedy extended family. He kept his vast fortune hidden somewhere on his estate in the south of England and died suddenly, without telling anyone where he had concealed it. Tressa and her ailing mother are left with a mansion and an immense vineyard and no…
Find out more »Caring for Your Family Treasures
October is Archives Month, and the Local History is presenting a program on how to preserve your family photos, documents, glassware, etc. Information will be provided along with demonstrations with archival quality supplies. The event will be October 15 @ 4 p.m. in the Copley Room at the main location.
Find out more »Halloween Luminaries
Light up your Halloween windowsill with a candlelit scene in a glass jar. Choose from an illuminated pumpkin design, a flickering haunted house, and more! (Candles not included.) Make this unique craft at 2:30 in the Meeting Room.
Find out more »Leaf Mask
Whether for Halloween or just celebrating Fall, join us to make this leaf mask. Ages 8-12. Located at main location in Copley Room. Please call (740) 354-5304 or visit Local History to register.
Find out more »Fall Leaf Masks
Come decorate your own mask with autumn leaves to wear anytime. Event is October 16 @ 4 p,m. in the Copley Room at the main location. Age 8-12. Please call 740-354-5304 to register.
Find out more »Spooktacular Series: Author Visit
Join us in welcoming James A Willis, author of Weird Ohio and The Big Book of Ohio Ghost Stories to the Portsmouth Public Library! Mr. Willis will be presenting "Meet the Ghosts of Ohio" at 6pm on our Main floor. No registration required.
Find out more »STEM Time: Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics
Build a robot, design a controller, work with circuits, and lots more during STEM time at 2:30 in the Meeting Room. Get hands-on with Lego Boost, Snap Circuits, Little bits and Makey-Makey kits.
Find out more »Paper Plate Halloween Silhouette
Want to create a haunting art piece to hang up just in time for Halloween? Then come join us on October 17, 2018 at :4:30 pm as we create Paper Plate Halloween Silhouettes! Program will be held in the Copley Meeting Room at the Main Library Location. Event is free and for ages 8-12. To register please visit the Local History Department or call 740-354-5304.
Find out more »Literary Thursdays: Page to Stage
This “physical literacy” program offers teens a chance to get a little active! In October, learn the basic techniques of stage makeup following a horror theme and also browse a book display at 2:30 in the Meeting Room.
Find out more »November A.R.T. Gallery Submission Deadline
Calling all artists 18 and up! Entries for our September art show are due today. Complete a submission form which can be found at our Main branch or on our website. Artists may display up to 3 pieces of art per month. Submissions must be framed with a hook on the back and ready to hang. All artwork must be approved following library guidelines and if displayed must be left to hang in the gallery show for the entire month. Any artist who would like to advertise their art for sale is asked to submit contact information which will posted…
Find out more »Dungeon and Dragons & Craft Cart
Go on epic adventures and battle deadly foes in this popular role-playing game. All levels of experience and skill are welcome! If you prefer to use your imagination for crafting instead then check out the library’s craft cart with full of supplies to make something awesome! Join the fun at 2:30 in the Meeting Room.
Find out more »Wand Making
Bring home a piece of the wizardry world by making your own Harry Potter-inspired wooden wand! The library provides everything you’ll need to make a wand as unique as those in the popular fictional series written by J.K. Rowling. The magic begins at 2:30 in the Meeting Room.
Find out more »Computer Games
Teens! Join us for an hour of digital fun to play games like Creativerse and Paladins on the STEAM game database, or put your building skills to the test with Minecraft! Get your game on at 2:30 in the IT lab!
Find out more »Literary Thursdays: Teen Book Group
Join other readers to share in lively discussions of monthly YA Contemporary & Classic titles. October’s contemporary title is The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, and the classic companion title is The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling. Ask for a copy today at the Reference Desk and check out to get started! The group meets at 2:30 in the Meeting Room.
Find out more »Afternoon of Oils
Join us in the Quiet Room at the Main Branch to paint an autumn tree using stunning fall colors. This program is hosted by library staff who provide basic instruction. A $10 fee is due at the time of registration and all materials are included. Register at the Reference Desk from October 1st through October 25th or until all seats are reserved. Ages 18+ Please contact (740) 354-5688 for more information.
Find out more »Board Games for teens!
Nothing beats playing some classic board games with family or friends. Join PPL at 2:00 on the main floor in front of the reference desk to play games like Connect 4, Monopoly, and Apples to Apples and more!
Find out more »Dungeon and Dragons & Craft Cart
Go on epic adventures and battle deadly foes in this popular role-playing game. All levels of experience and skill are welcome! If you prefer to use your imagination for crafting instead then check out the library’s craft cart with full of supplies to make something awesome! Join the fun at 2:30 in the Meeting Room.
Find out more »Pumpkin Carving Party
Calling all teens! Celebrate the glorious fall season with pumpkins, pizza, and pages at the Trick or Treat pumpkin carving party! Win free books! The fun begins at 2:30 in the Meeting Room.
Find out more »Computer Games
Teens! Join us for an hour of digital fun to play games like Creativerse and Paladins on the STEAM game database, or put your building skills to the test with Minecraft! Get your game on at 2:30 in the IT lab!
Find out more »Tissue Paper Fall Tree
Using tissue paper and paper plates, create a fall tree! Join us November 14, 2018 at 4:30 pm in the Copley Meeting Room, Main Library location. Event is free and for ages 8-12. To register visit the Local History Department or call 730-354-5304.
Find out more »Mini Snow Globe Ornaments
Have fun making mini snow globes as ornaments or any decoration. Ages 8-12. Please call (740) 354-5304 or visit Local History to register. Event to be held at main location in the Copley Room.
Find out more »Cardboard Cup Holder Snowflake
Ever wondered if those drive thru cardboard cup holders could be used for anything besides holding your drinks? Wonder no more and create your very own snowflake from one. The craft will be on December 19, 2018 at 4:30 pm in the Copley Meeting Room at the Main Library Location. Event is free and for ages 8-12. To register visit the Local history Department or call 740-354-5304.
Find out more »