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Subscription library

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Subscription (or 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.


Current Membership Libraries:

1731: The Library Company of Philadelphia

1747: Redwood Library and Athenaeum

1748: The Charleston Library Society

1753: The Providence Athenaeum

1754: The New York Society Library

1807: The Boston Athenaeum

1810: The Salem Athenaeum

1814: The Athenaeum of Philadelphia

1817: The Portsmouth Athenaeum

1820: The General Society Library of New York City

1820: The Maine Charitable Mechanic Association Library of Portland

1820: The Mercantile Library of New York City

1826: The Institute Library of New Haven

1835: The Mercantile Library of Cincinnati

1836: The Providence Athenaeum

1846: The St. Louis Mercantile Library Association

1855: The Mechanics' Institute Library of San Francisco

1890: Lanier Library of North Carolina

1899: The Athenaeum Music and Arts Library in La Jolla

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