How Can I...

Get directions to the library?

  • Traveling from the North or South, take I-95 to the Market Street exit (Exit 7) toward Portsmouth downtown.
    • If you are coming from points south of Portsmouth, turn right at the end of the exit ramp onto Market Street.
    • If you are coming from points north of Portsmouth, turn left at the end of the exit ramp onto Market Street, crossing under the highway
  • At the fork in the road (Sheraton is in front of you; salt piles are on your left), bear right, in front of the Sheraton, onto Russell Street.
  • The Sheraton is now on the left.
  • Proceed one block (street ends) and turn right onto Deer Street.
  • At the stop light turn left onto Maplewood Avenue. Maplewood changes to Middle Street at the 2nd stop light.
  • At the third stop light turn left onto State Street.
  • Continue on State Street to the 2nd stop light. Turn right onto Pleasant Street.
  • Go past Court Street & the Citizens Bank on the right.
  • Just after the parking lot on the right, turn right onto Junkins Avenue.
  • Take the first right onto Parrott Avenue.
  • Continue on Parrott Avenue, passing on the right Portsmouth District Courthouse, Parrott Avenue Place, Portsmouth Middle School, and a city parking lot.
  • The library is the brick building with a tower, just after the city parking lot. There is a big granite sign out front near the street.

For more information about directions and parking visit the About the Library page by clicking here.

Reserve a museum pass?

The Library offers passes for free or discounted admission to several museums and other attractions. You may make your museum pass reservations online. Remember, you must pick up the actual museum pass at the Information Desk in the Library's Reference Department. You will need your library card to make a reservation and to pick up the pass.

View more information about Museum Passes.

Download books, movies, etc?

Want to download books, stream movies, or access any other Digital Services? Visit the Digital Services page by clicking here.

Research a family history?

The Special Collections room at Portsmouth Public Library includes information and resources, pertaining to local history and genealogy topics for Portsmouth, the Seacoast, and surrounding cities and towns.

While the collection development efforts have focused on acquiring materials relating primarily to the city of Portsmouth, information about other towns in Rockingham County, including town histories for Strafford County, NH, York County in Maine, and a bit of Essex County in Massachusetts, are also available.

For more information visit the Local History & Genealogy page by clicking here.

Suggest an item for the collection?

If you would like to select an item for the library's collection, please fill out the form on the Purchase Suggestions page by clicking here.