The
Boston Athenĉum is a membership library for use by its members, and also by scholars
and researchers for short and long term projects. It is one of the oldest and
largest membership libraries in the country.
Predating
all American public libraries, the Boston Athenĉum was founded in 1807 by a group
of gentlemen who wished to provide themselves with " a reading room, a library,
a museum and a laboratory." Past members of the Athenĉum include John Quincy Adams,
Ralph Waldo Emerson, Amy Lowell, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Daniel Webster, and
Lydia Maria Child.
The
original structure of the Athenĉum remains in the form of shares owned by Proprietors.
Shares are limited in number to 1,049 by charter of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Proprietors may exercise voting privileges at the annual meeting. Information
on the purchase of shares is available through the Director's Office.
Application
for all other categories of membership should be made through the membership office.
Apply on line or call
the Membership Office at 617-227-0270
ext. 246 for information.
All
members of the Boston Athenĉum enjoy the privilege of borrowing books and the
use of reference and book mailing services and have access to special collections.
Members receive invitations to Athenĉum events, which include lectures and book
signings, art exhibitions, musical events, and children's programs; they also
receive mailings of Athenĉum Items, the Library newsletter, and discounts
on many items in the bookstore.
Institutional Membership Application
Your annual $500 institutional membership fee includes three individual memberships. Up to five additional individual memberships may be purchased at $100 each.
For more information, or to have your Institution become a member, please call the membership office at: 617-227-0270
ext. 246
Frequently Asked Questions Answered
