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
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1747: Redwood Library and Athenaeum
50 Bellevue Avenue • Newport, RI 02840
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1748: The Charleston Library Society
164 King Street • Charleston, SC 29401
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1753: The Providence Athenaeum
251 Benefit Street • Providence, RI 02903
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1754: The New York Society Library
53 East 79th Street • New York, NY 10075
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1807: The Boston Athenaeum
10½ Beacon Street • Boston, MA 02108
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1810: The Salem Athenaeum
337 Essex Street • Salem, MA 01970
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1814: The Athenaeum of Philadelphia
219 South Sixth Street • Philadelphia, PA 19106
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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
519 Congress Street • Portland, ME 04101

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