The Providence Athenæum is an independent, member-supported library and cultural center located in Providence, Rhode Island.
Founded originally as "The Athenæum" in 1836, its progenitors were two earlier libraries: The Providence Library Company, founded in 1753, and the Providence Athenaeum, founded in 1831. When they could not agree on terms for a merger, both organizations dissolved and a new library was formed, which purchased a selection of books and periodicals from the two earlier institutions. Housed originally in the Arcade on Weybosset Street in downtown Providence, the Athenæum moved to its new building at 251 Benefit Street in July, 1838. In 1850, “The Athenæum” was renamed “The Providence Athenæum" by amendment to its charter.
Between 1836 and 1861, the Providence Athenaeum published four catalogs, and two supplements. Annual additions were written by hand into the published catalogs. Lists of new book purchases were published in each annual report beginning 1862.
Prior to 1883, the records of the library's holdings were kept in manuscript form and new additions were entered by date. In 1883, a card catalog was introduced; Mary Angell started cataloging all new books acquired, plus the existing collection of 3,000 volumes. In October 1895, Librarian Joseph LeRoy Harrison hired the Athenaeum's first professionally-trained cataloger, Grace Leonard. Between 1895 and 1908 Leonard reclassified the library's entire holdings (56,000 works) according to the Dewey Decimal system. Many of her handwritten cards remained in the card catalog into the 1900s.
In 1998, the
Sources:
Providence Athenaeum's catalogs, published between 1836-1883. Includes both published copies and working copies with hand-written annotations. In several cases, the catalogs are bound with other materials such as the Athenaeum's Constitutions and By-Laws.
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances. Researchers seeking to publish materials should complete an Application to Publish Library Materials available through written request to info@provath.org
Open to public research. Materials are available by prior appointment that requires 24-hour advance notice.
Providence Athenaeum catalogs, Arch-005, Providence Athenaeum.
Arranged in two series, and chronologically thereunder:
Additional materials are expected for this collection.
Bound volume includes Francis Wayland address of 1838.
Providence: Knowles, Vose and Co. 102 pages. 3 copies.
Includes Francis Wayland address of 1838.
Providence: Knowles and Vose. 107 pages. 3 copies.
Providence: Knowles, Anthony and Co., 1852. 466 p. bound. Omits historical survey in 1853 edition.
Providence: Knowles, Anthony & Co., 1853. xxxiv, 557 pages. 3 copies. Unbound; some pages uncut. Copy 2 lacks the By-Laws.
The Catalogue, Appendix, and Index (557 pages), are "prefixed" by 34 pages which include a list of Officers, 1852-3 (p. [i-ii]), Charter (p. [iii]-iv), Constitution (p. [v-viii], By-Laws (p. [ix]-xii), and Historical Sketch (p. [xiii]-xxxiv). The Historical Sketch includes a list of the "196 individuals and (a few) firms" who were the original subscribers, and a chart of the growth of the institution's collection, expenses, and shares between 1837 and 1852.
Providence: Knowles, Anthony and Co. 380 pages
Manuscript additions by accession date.
Two volumes, with handwritten bound mark-up of the 1852 catalogue probably for reference by Library Staff.
Interleaved manuscript pages of added titles. 2 copies.
Bound; incorporates portions of published Athenaeum catalogs and supplements, with manuscript additions. Inscribed "compiled by Mr. Hedge, Librarian, 1854-73".