New York Society Library

MEMBERSHIP LIBRARIES


NYSL: Older Bookplate

Membership libraries began in the 18th century in America when societies or groups of individuals joined to purchase books for a commonly run library. The Library Company of Philadelphia was the first of these libraries, started in 1731 by Benjamin Franklin. With the advent of free public libraries in the 19th century most of the subscription libraries were replaced or taken over.

1731: The Library Company of Philadelphia
1314 Locust Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107

1747: Redwood Library and Athenaeum
50 Bellevue Avenue
Newport, RI 02840

1748: The Charleston Library Society
164 King Street
Charleston, SC 29401

1753: The Providence Athenaeum
251 Benefit Street
Providence, RI 02903

1754: The New York Society Library
53 East 79th Street
New York, NY 10021

1807: The Boston Athenaeum
10½ Beacon Street
Boston, MA 02108

1810: The Salem Athenaeum
337 Essex Street
Salem, MA 01970

1814: The Athenaeum of Philadelphia
219 South Sixth Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106

1817: The Portsmouth Athenaeum
9 Market Square
Portsmouth, NH 03801

1820: The General Society Library of New York City
20 West 44th Street
New York, NY 10036

1820: The Maine Charitable Mechanic Association Library of Portland
519 Congress Street
Portland, ME 04101

1820: The Mercantile Library of New York City
17 East 47th Street
New York, NY 10017

1826: The Institute Library of New Haven
847 Chapel Street
New Haven, CT 06510

1835: The Mercantile Library of Cincinnati
414 Walnut Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202

1846: The St. Louis Mercantile Library Association
8001 Natural Bridge Road
St. Louis, Missouri 63121

1855: The Mechanics' Institute Library of San Francisco
57 Post Street
San Francisco, CA 94104

1890: Lanier Library of North Carolina
72 Chestnut Street
Tryon, NC 28782

1899: The Athenaeum Music and Arts Library in La Jolla
1008 Wall Street
La Jolla, CA 92037


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