About the Library

Our Mission: Building Our Community by Inspiring Ideas & Enriching Lives

The Kingston Public Library is a community-driven organization, a center for learning, collaboration, creativity, and fun, and an environment for lifelong learning. We are dedicated to providing the residents of Kingston with cultural enrichment, recreation, and learning opportunities, and supporting our community with practical help in their everyday lives. Our knowledgeable staff willingly and capably provide the assistance needed to ensure each patron's success, in a place that is comfortable and welcoming.

Our Vision

Helpful, knowledgeable library staff and a comfortable, attractive facility in a central location with plenty of parking and a mix of quiet and active spaces provide Kingston with a center that is responsive to community needs and actively facilitates collaboration, connection, and learning. Attractive grounds extend the library to the outdoors.

Program, study, browsing, and meeting spaces make it easy for library patrons to find a comfortable setting for a wide range of activities. Spacious and well-furnished spaces for teens, children, and families make the Library a place they want to visit often and where they find support in their exploration of ideas and learning.

The Library offers vibrant, current physical and digital collections, including access to the rich resources of the Old Colony Library Network and the Commonwealth. The physical collections are well-laid out for easy access, with comfortable seats, and ample study and reading space. The digital collections are well-publicized and simple to use. Expert staff assistance is easily available.

The Library's stewardship of its historical collections helps residents connect with the history of Kingston, learn about their own history, and celebrate the diversity of backgrounds within the community.

Library staff provide an active schedule of programs and services for families and teens and offers opportunities for lifelong learning, well-supported by both the Town and the community. Library staff teach patrons how to find and evaluate information, as well as how to use the library's digital resources and technology, using up-to-date and well-maintained equipment and software. The Library actively engages with the community through programs in the library and in the community; partnerships; excellent communication; an excellent, useful, and responsive website and roster of online services; frequent communication through diverse channels; and referrals to social services.

The Library encourages collaboration and creativity by providing space and opportunities for group work and activity. Businesses are supported through well-chosen equipment, furnishings, and information resources. Artists and inventors can build, invent, exhibit, and collaborate at the Library.

Library Trustees are engaged in the community and with library staff. Library staff are given training to keep up with the changing service needs of the community. The Library is supported by an active Friends of the Library group, which is given ample space for its work. An active Foundation provides advocacy and private support to supplement municipal funding. The Library has an active volunteer program run by a volunteer coordinator.

From the Kingston Public Library Strategic Plan 2016 to 2020