Membership Libraries
Before there were public libraries, there were membership libraries – associations of dues paying members who pooled their resources to buy books, rent space, and pay librarians to manage the collection. While most membership libraries disappeared with the advent of the public library movement in the 19th century, a few still exist today. We encourage our members to visit our sister institutions.
For more information, see America’s Membership Libraries, edited by Richard Wendorf and published by Oak Knoll Press. Members may borrow our circulating copy, or you can purchase your own copy below.
Other Membership Libraries
The Redwood Library & Athenaeum
The Charleston Library Society
The General Society of Mechanics
& Tradesmen
The Maine Charitable Mechanic Association
The Mercantile Library (Cincinnati)
The Library Center for Fiction
The St. Louis Mercantile Library Association
The Institute Library (New Haven)
The Mechanics Institute Library
(San Francisco)
The Lanier Library Association
Upcoming Events
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Dec. 21:
Welcome Winter Solstice
4:00 p.m. -
Dec. 24:
Christmas Eve Hours
11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. -
Dec. 25:
Closed for Winter Break
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