The RI State Library celebrated its 130th anniversary as a member of the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) on September 22, 2025 with a series of passionate speakers and an enthusiastic group of library supporters in attendance at the RI State House. The State Library was established in 1852 to provide access to state government information and publications. While the Library began receiving federal government materials as early as 1886, it officially became a Federal Depository in 1895. Serving as a FDLP member library entails maintaining a physical collection of publications as well as, increasingly, providing research expertise as patrons navigate the vast collection of US publications and data online.  

The anniversary event was attended by over fifty guests and leaders from the library, archives and cultural community. The slate of speakers celebrated the fundamental right of public access to information and the value of libraries in preserving and providing access to government information as essential to maintaining an informed citizenry. Hosted by Secretary of State Gregg Amore and State Librarian Kate Wells, speakers included Lt. Governor Sabina Matos, General Treasurer James Diossa, RI Senator Mark McKenney and RI Representative David Morales, US Senator Jack Reed and Wendy Schiller of Brown University. In addition, the State Library recognized the twenty-five-year career and contributions of Federal Government Documents Librarian Ann Teixeira, who will be retiring on October 31, 2025.