Library Staff

Amanda Chapman, Library Director
Gina Carter, Librarian
Cassandra Ferrara, Library Assistant
Lily Hannuksela, Library Page

Board of Trustees

Nicole Pichette, President
Megan Fogg, Vice-President
Michael Riley, Treasurer
Barbara Keefe, Secretary
Douglas Chabot
Kathleen Delaney
Marilyn Harris
Sandra Porter
Linda Reis-Zullo
Stephen Souls
Kathryn Zimmerman
John Patterson, Member Emeritus

DFL Slideshow

History

Davisville Free Library began in 1917 as a reading room in Davisville, RI run by the local school teacher. Book donations comprised the collection until a few years later when the state of Rhode Island funded about two-hundred dollars towards the purchase of new books. In around 1919, a library committee was formed. At one committee meeting, according to George Loxton, the Dyer family presented a deed to a parcel of land on the west side of Davisville Road. The library building was funded by a number of donors, but most of the funds were from the Davis family.

There have been a number of librarians since the library opened including Harriet Jones (1918, 1920-21), Lua Glenwright (1918-1919), Lottie Straight (1919-1950), Marion Wellen Barber (1950-1998), Patrica DiBella (1999 – 2004), Sarah Ornstein (2004 to 2019), and Amanda Chapman (2019 to present).

The current library collection includes a variety of current and classic resources, both fiction and non-fiction, as well as a genealogy collection of local family papers. All ages are welcome to browse the shelves and online using the library electronic resources.

DFL recommends that you borrow, or purchase at the library, a copy of George Loxton’s:
“Davisville, Rhode Island” for more historic details about the library and the village of Davisville. This brief history page is based on information in Loxton’s book.

Policies

Davisville Free Library Technology Plan 2015

Davisville Free Library Service and ILL Policy

Policy for the Safety of Children in the Library

The Davisville Free Library staff hopes that the families who use our library will see our facility as a warm, inviting and fun place to be. We also hope that children will visit the library and develop a lifelong love of books, reading, learning, and libraries. However, we remind parents and guardians that they are responsible for their children while their children are at the library or attending programs. Children who are unable to lookout for their own safety shall not be left unattended at the library.

Parents must assume responsibility for their children’s use of the Internet in the library. Parents are encouraged to watch their children as they use these resources. Children under 18 must have written approval from their parents or guardians for Internet usage. Permission forms are available from the librarian.

Use of Internet and Other Electronic Resources

The Davisville Free Library provides access to the Internet and other electronic resources to further our mission of providing informational and educational resources to our community.

By using the Davisville Free Library’s network, patrons agree to the following:

  • Each workstation is set up to run pre-installed library software only.
  • Do not attempt to run your own software, customized files, or change configurations.
  • Do not turn off the computer or reboot the system. Ask a library staff member for assistance.
  • When finished, please close the application you have used and return to the main menu.

DISCLAIMER

The Internet service contains many different kinds of material, some of which may be of a controversial or offensive nature. In offering Internet access, the library staff cannot control or assume responsibility for:

  • Access points reached,
  • the content of interactive communication such as e-mail and newsgroups,
  • the validity of information, or
  • accessibility due to technical difficulties or Internet reliability.

Parents must assume responsibility for their children’s use of the Internet in the library. Parents are encouraged to watch their children as they use these resources.

INAPPROPRIATE USE

Display of sexually explicit graphics is prohibited.

Display or transmission of profane, abusive or threatening language is prohibited.

Use for informal conversations, such as chat group, is discouraged. Customers using the computers for this purpose will be asked to vacate the computers when others are waiting.

Unauthorized copying of copyright-protected materials is prohibited.

Violating any local, state, or federal statute is prohibited.

FILTERING/CIPA COMPLIANCE

In accordance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), the Davisville Free Library applies filtering software to all computer workstations. At any time, computer users aged 17 and older who wish to visit a site that has been blocked by the filter may ask a library staff member to unblock that site.

SECURITY

Deliberate altering of any files or modifying the configuration of any computer or peripherals is considered a violation of computer system security and will result in the loss of library computer privileges, with possible legal ramifications.

Destruction or damage of equipment due to willful misuse will result in legal action.

Willful removal of any part of the computer will be considered theft and will result in legal action.

STAFF ASSISTANCE

Staff provides assistance, as time and knowledge permit.

Scheduled demonstrations are offered periodically. Please see a reference librarian to register.

Circulation and Reference books and manuals for self-instruction are available. Please ask a librarian.

COMPUTER USE TIME LIMITS

There is a 30 minute limit when others are waiting.

Workstations not-in-use will be logged-off five minutes before closing.

PRINTING

Black and white prints are 15 cents each and 25 cents for color. After completing your work, please pay the circulation librarian.

Do not refill paper trays. Ask a library staff member for assistance.

DOWNLOADING

You may bring your own flash drive if you wish to save or download files. The Library is not responsible for any damage to a personal flash drivewhen downloading. CAUTION: although we use a virus checker on the library’s computers, this will not completely protect you from the chance of getting a virus. Software downloaded from the Internet may contain a virus and you need to have virus-checking software on your computer.

Patrons violating any usage guideline will be asked to stop. If the violation continues, the patron will forfeit the right to use the computers at the Davisville Free Library.

OSL Card

An Ocean State Libraries (OSL) card enables you to access resources from over 50 libraries throughout the state of Rhode Island. The card is free of charge to Rhode Island residents.

To apply for an OSL card, show a valid ID at the circulation desk at one of the OSL libraries. A valid ID must have your address on the card. It can be a driver’s license, RI ID card from the Department of Motor Vehicles, a car registration, rental lease, or welfare card. You can also show a college ID plus one other form of identification that contains your permanent address.

If you forget your card at the library, you can show your RI license to borrow and renew resources. If you lose your card, a new can be obtained by showing your valid ID and paying a $1 replacement card fee.

Renewals

*Renew by phone by calling DFL during business hours. Have your library card available during the call for card number information. Most resources may be renewed for the same length of time unless another patron has requested it. If three or more items are overdue, or if you have outstanding fines or fees, you cannot renew your items.

*Renew online by accessing this website and clicking the Catalog in the menu bar. Follow the links to your account and perform the following steps:

  1. Enter your Barcode and PIN (or follow the directions to create a PIN).
  2. Choose Checked Out
  3. Select the items you want to renew.
  4. Click the Renew button.
  5. When finished, click the Logout button in the upper right corner.

*Renew in person by bringing the items to the library circulation desk and showing your OSL card.

Requests

Requests are also referred to as “holds” and “reserves”. There is no fee for requesting an item. You may request a book at the library or online from the Catalog link. Your requested items are delivered to the library where you received your OSL card unless you specify another library location. When the book arrives, you will be notified by phone or email. Items are held for seven days at the Circulation desk. Some OSL libraries do not allow audiovisual materials to be placed on hold.

To request an item online, you will need your OSL card barcode. You can access your OSL account online at any time to see the status of your request.

Checkout

There is no limit to the amount of items a patron can check out.

Items checked out can be returned to any OSL library despite where they were borrowed.

Books: All books at DFL, with the exception of reference books, circulate for 21 days.

Audiovisuals: Audiobooks and TV sets of DVDs circulate for 21 days. DVDs circulate for 7 days.

Charges

Davisville Free Library has gone fine free! Charges will still apply for lost or damaged materials. Materials from libraries other than Davisville may have different fines. Fines will never exceed the cost of the item.