Based on historic photographs of The Providence Athenaeum, an independent membership library, the space doesn’t look much different than it did in 1838 when it first opened — and that’s ok with us.
The worn floorboards, cozy reading nooks, and shelves and shelves of new and historic collections make it the kind of place we always dreamed of living in (who hasn’t imagined having a home with a book-lined library straight out of a nineteenth century mystery novel?), but we’ll settle for the inspiration of being able to visit for a day.
The building and collections are open to the public, but yearly memberships ($35 for students, $160 for individuals, $195 for households, and $60 for a six-month introductory membership) are required in order to check out materials.
The Providence Athenaeum
251 Benefit Street
Providence, Rhode Island 02903
401.421.6970
(Images: The Providence Athenaeum)
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Comments (13)
H-E-A-V-E-N on earth.
Love this library! (even if it is a little pricy to join!)
In Quebec City, there is the (English) Literary and Historical Society, first founded by the Earl of Dalhousie in 1824:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21843970@N00/sets/72157594343630769/
Reminds me of Linderman Library at Lehigh!
Erin @ SYL: Slipcover Your Life
I love it!
One thing I deslike now days, is the tendecy to modernize and miimalize everything. a modern library today doesn't have the charm that the old ones have, like this one for exemple.
or the museums! it's the same thing!
Heaven on earth, indeed.
As a librarian, this is the space that I imagine myself working in someday. Or, for that matter, living in! I totally agree with some of the other posts...today's libraries (and museums) tend to be too modern and uninviting for me. Give me a quiet nook and a good book.
WOW!
Drool... Makes me want to hop on a plane to Rhode Island immediately :P
I use to go there ALL the time when I was at RISD (free membership!). Great little library. They also have a nice kid friendly nook too!
This is my dream.
Drool. OMG.
Aww. I grew up in that library. It's pretty much the best ever.
one of my favorite places, yes it is just as wonderful as it looks. in winter months one can sit there and listen to steam heat.