The Membership Libraries
The Athenaeum of Philadelphia is one of 16 surviving membership libraries. Some, like the Charleston (est. 1748), New York Society (est. 1754), and Newport (est. 1741) libraries date from the 18th century. The Athenaeum of Philadelphia was established in 1814 as a subscription library, at a time when the free public library system did not exist and collections of books, available for reading or research, were still mostly limited to institutions and schools or colleges. Only a small number of individuals could afford to amass a collection of books. From its beginnings the Athenaeum of Philadelphia emphasized not only its lending collections, but also programs where the members could meet and discuss historical, literary, and cultural topics. In 1847 the Athenaeum moved into its current building, a Renaissance Revival brownstone designed by John Notman.
Athenaeum of Philadelphia Members have the use of both the historical and contemporary collections maintained by the Athenaeum, and are invited to the full range of our programs and events, most of which are free or offered at a nominal fee.
Reciprocal Privileges
Active Shareholders of The Athenaeum of Philadelphia have reciprocal privileges at the membership libraries listed below (exceptions are marked with an asterisk.) Shareholders may make a maximum of five visits to each library per year. Specific privileges at each library vary, so Shareholders should check the institution’s website for details. Shareholders should present their Athenaeum of Philadelphia library card or a note from The Athenaeum of Philadelphia Executive Director when visiting, but note that the libraries will call us to verify the membership is active.
Eligible members of the institutions listed below are welcome to visit The Athenaeum of Philadelphia. Privileges at The Athenaeum of Philadelphia include use of our members only reading room and lounge, access to the open stacks, and attendance at Athenaeum public programming.
|
1731 –
The Library Company of
Philadelphia* 1314 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107 |
1820 –
Mechanics' Hall Library (Founded by the Maine Charitable Mechanic Association) 519 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101 |
| 1747 –
Redwood Library and
Athenaeum 50 Bellevue Avenue, Newport, RI 02840 |
1820 – The
Center for Fiction (Founded as the Mercantile Library) 15 Lafayette Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217 |
| 1748 –
The Charleston
Library Society 164 King Street, Charleston, SC 29401 |
1826 – The
Institute Library of New Haven 847 Chapel Street, New Haven, CT 06510 |
| 1753 –
The Providence Athenaeum 251 Benefit Street, Providence, RI 02903 |
1835 –
The Mercantile Library of Cincinnati 414 Walnut Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202 |
| 1754 –
The New York Society Library 53 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10075 |
1846 –
The St. Louis Mercantile Library Association* 8001 Natural Bridge Road, St. Louis, Missouri 63121 |
| 1807 –
The Boston Athenaeum 10½ Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02108 |
1855 – The
Mechanics' Institute Library of San Francisco 57 Post Street, San Francisco, CA 94104 |
| 1810 –
The Salem Athenaeum 337 Essex Street, Salem, MA 01970 |
1890 – Lanier
Library Association 72 Chestnut Street, Tryon, NC 28782 |
| 1817 –
The Portsmouth
Athenaeum 9 Market Square, Portsmouth, NH 03801 |
1899 – The
Athenaeum Music and Arts Library in La Jolla 1008 Wall Street, La Jolla, CA 92037 |
| 1820 –
The General Society Library of
New York City 20 West 44th Street, New York, NY 10036 |
2014 –
Folio: The Seattle Athenaeum 1531 Western Ave, Seattle, WA 98101 |