This is a beautiful, historic library. The old and rare books are amazing, as are the study nooks. You have to be a member to check books out, but it's open to the public. They also have lectures and a quiz night. read more

The Providence Athenaeum is a beautiful space and is one of Providence's treasures of architecture and culture, but like most libraries right now, it is having some growing pains. One doesn't typically belong to a membership library just for the access to books. Certainly they do buy popular and new materials, but the bulk of the collection is older books that might look good on a shelf, but are likely only used by researchers, if at all. So the Athenaeum focuses on programs instead, which is admirable and makes a lot of sense for both the city of Providence and the neighborhood where the library is situated. Also, that's what an Athenaeum actually is, a space with books, art and intellectual conversation. I've been to numerous Salons since moving to Providence, and am always fascinated when I get the monthly email detailing what is coming up both at the Athenaeum and around the neighborhood. The issue that I have, and that friends and I have discussed, is that we don't feel particularly welcome at the Athenaeum. I am a professional, educated woman in my early 30s who enjoys history, literature, conversation, books and all the things that one can expect to find at the Athenaeum. What I'm less interested in is pretension and attitude. I suspect that this has a lot to with my age and the age of my friends as an older, retired friend of mine told me that when he moved to Providence he immediately hooked up with the Athenaeum crowd and made all kinds of friends. So what's to be done about this? I had a long chat with the membership coordinator a while ago and she said that it's crucial for the future of the Athenaeum to attract people my age, but every time I go to a Salon, I feel like a dirty-faced urchin. I used to work at a different membership library--The Redwood Athenaeum in Newport, where you think I would have felt this subtle disdain much more keenly, but everyone was incredibly warm and welcoming. I certainly can't blame the staff, who have never been anything but courteous and friendly, but the crowd of regulars do not seem to want to add any new blood to the mix unless it's slightly younger, equally stuffy folks. It's unfortunate since I chose to work in libraries in large part because I always saw them as a refuge and a place with something for everyone, but I've just never felt very welcome at the Athenaeum. read more

I had the pleasure of attending a PVD Lady Project event at the Providence Athenaeum and what a NEAT place! You can become a member of the Athenaeum for a nominal fee and have use of the space and all the books and artifacts there within. The VERY old building dates back to Edgar Allan Poe (well, before his time) and is rich with history, books, artifacts and so much more. When you walk in, just the Ora of the building exudes its past... and from floor to ceiling, wall to wall filled with old, historic books! As I said, I went to an event here and you're even allowed to bring in catering (yup, food in a library) and use this gorgeous, rich space for whatever suits your needs! Absolutely BEAUTIFUL! read more

In my opinion, the Athenaeum perfectly represents the spirit of Providence. Rich in history, radiantly beautiful, if a bit scruffy around the edges. An outpost for rebels, academics, free-thinkers, seekers of every stripe. It is more than a library, it is what you'd find on the other side of the wormhole you imagined was under your childhood bed. While my dad was geeking out with the librarian over H.P. Lovecraft, I got to explore every corner of this place. Nooks and crannies? Check. Marble busts of famous dead Rhode Islanders? Check. Oh yeah, and books. Lots and lots of books. read more

Providence Athenaeum - Inside the Athenaeum - Libraries Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

The first time you visit the Athenaeum, you have to come in from Benefit Street. You walk through the door and find yourself in a library -- the way you always dreamed a library should be. Alcoves full of books, an open gallery upstairs with more alcoves. Walls and walls of books from floor to ceiling, two stories high, and then downstairs for more books. No computer terminals, except for the catalog. And yes, there's an old card catalog -- though regretfully it's out of date, so anything you find in there is suspect. I must admit, that the addition of wifi and a coffee machine in the cellar is welcome... I suppose the 21st century has to impinge here and there. read more

very cool small library. It took me ten years to finally check this out. I like the downstairs area, the kind of place I would want to study. definitely worth a look read more

I had walked by this stone building a million times and had always just assumed that it was a creepy cult - I mean no windows and a sinister water fountain? I couldn't have been more wrong. This place is utterly delightful - a treasure trove of Providence history. The self-guided tour is perfect for the library novice who worries about strict librarians shushing at their insubordination. Every corner hosts amazing pieces of this time capsule - marble busts of stodgey old men, maps of the city in the 1800s, tiny bookshelf ladders, and the secret room of original printings. You can almost feel the anguish of Edgar Allen Poe's ghost rising out of the stacks, sense the frustration in the perfectly scripted card catalogue. The cozy downstairs addition is the perfect place to curl up with a *free* coffee and thumb through dusty old Russian literature. Free to the public for a quick visit, but a hefty pricetag for membership or to check out items. Perks for the intelligencia include salons, book readings, and the knowlege that you're supporting one of the oldest and best-kept libraries in America. read more

"Woohoo! As good as it gets!" -- for a library, Athenaeum is as good as it gets. Being a Providence visitor, going in there was more of a sightseeing experience for me. There was a self-guided tour of the library by following the Raven sign, and it was quite easy to follow. I learned that this is one of 17 member-sponsored libraries in the country, and a lot of history retained within the library such as 19th century handwritten catalog cards. Downstairs is an even quieter studying area with a locked room of literature relics (Walt Whitman's and Poe's works were in there). I would absolutely support this library with a membership if I live in Providence. read more

The Athenaeum is so cute, quaint, old-fashioned, it's overwhelming! I absolutely adore the 2 levels and the stairs leading up to them! They have ladders up to the higher shelves???!!! Not something you see in every library! I would totally give this place 5 stars, if 2 things weren't bothering me. 1. The membership prices are pretty darn high. They should really give family discounts! 2. Even when you become a member, at least with the $60 membership I got, you can only take 8 things TOTAL out! The librarian was really nice the first time I took out my books and let me take 16 out, but after that I've only been able to take out 8 things every time. Keep that in mind if you're planning to take out a ton of books to read/study. read more

I absolutely adore this place. It is a gem in Providence. I needed a place that was comfortable and quiet to complete a paper. I found a nice little desk by a window upstairs and immediately felt safe and at home. When I needed a break, I just got up and walked around. There are interesting things to see. I took a few pics. Part museum, historic place and library all rolled up in an architecturally interesting building. read more

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This place is peaceful, beautiful, and free to the public. This place is floor to ceiling books. You can walk around and explore on your own, OR they have a little self-guided tour, where you follow a Raven around learning about the Athenaeum's history. We just explored on our own, and eventually ended up downstairs, where there is more space to sit in a comfortable chair and read or study. We asked permission, and we were let in the back room where they kept some of their older books and manuscripts (again, traveling with a librarian means you get so see all the cool book stuff). On your way out (because you know you are going to stop here), make sure to leave a donation! read more

Take a deep breath when you walk in, that's the smell of History. The history of the building is amazing and hard to believe something like that exists in our own backyard. It is a nice place to quietly sit down to read or study. read more

What a hidden treasure in Providence. I love libraries and this one happens to be the 4th oldest one in America. What a cool vibe inside. I don't know of many libraries where you can grab a 120 year old book off the shelf and just sit down at a table and enjoy it. Very cool. read more

The Athenaeum is amazing because it's acoustically the quietest of the libraries around it. It's understandable that group tours make the place noisier, but it's vexing when the librarians are carrying on full volume conversation when the rest of the space is silent. I come here because I don't have to wear headphones to block out noise, and I don't mean to be rude by asking for quiet. If the quietness of the space could become more of a priority, that would be great. read more

The Providence Athenaeum built in 1838 is one of the nation's oldest libraries and is an example of Greek-Revival architecture. What a great place to relax and do some reading, enjoy the beautiful architecture around you that is representative of what College Hill in Providence, Rhode Island has to offer. read more

I come here whenever I have free time and just spend hours reading in the mezzanine lvl!! Its very beautiful and organized. Lots of art: sculptures, paintings, and history. Most the books are old but you can request books!! The staff are extremely helpful and nice. The only complaint I have is the tours, they can get a little too loud if you're trying to concentrate, but after 20min they're over sooo... I definitely recommend coming here read more

Providence Athenaeum - Mezzanine lvl has a nice view and privacy - Libraries Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

Well, I just love this place. It's small, for a library, but it's packed full of history. I love the ornate wood and furniture. It smells old, but alive; it's the 4th oldest library in the country. I was able to take pictures with permission from the librarian, as long as the flash was off; I had a blast shooting here. When you enter the Athenaeum, you feel as if you're walking into a different era. read more

This is a must see! The building is beautiful and the collection fantastic. When you have out of town guests take them in and just wal around. It was recently mentioned in an article in the NYT. read more

Heaven for book lovers. My fiance and I love the Athenaeum so much that we are holding our wedding here next summer. read more

I only spent a few moments here, but it is truly amazing and well worth a visit. Be sure to check out the card catalogue with the handwritten entries, done in the early 20th century. The children's area is of the nicest I've ever seen for a library. Also, they host weekly soirees for members. One of a kind!!! read more

What better way to inspire you than to surround yourself with beautiful and historic architecture, and thousands of books from the past. Whether you set yourself up at the communal table in the basement, one of the inviting arm chairs, or at a second floor desk facing out over the first floor, you might have a hard time focusing on your work, but you will definitely leave with a renewed spirit. read more

Really cool spot with all the old-fashioned fixins' and a fountain out front. Come and walk around, relax, or for an event...

dreamy, spooky, old creme-colored shelves, books about places I love traveling to.

Even though it's small, this is the most awesome library I've ever been to. I want to live and work in it. I want to raise my children in it. I want to hold parties in it. I want to haunt it when I'm dead and drop books on the heads of the foolish jocks and/or frat types who may mistakenly wander in whilst drunk or stoned. I imagine Edgar Allan Poe suddenly emerging from the stacks with booze on his breath or Henry Adams jabbing passerby from the upper stacks with a yardstick and castigating them with curious and colorful late-19th Century invective. Certainly the spectre of Chuck Dickens has visited the Athenaeum, perhaps with Ellen Ternan on his arm, seeking refuge in the afterlife from the posthumous scandal that erupted after Ternan's identity as his mistress was made plain. All libraries have ghosts living in them, but none have the immediacy of those residing in the Athenaeum. read more