Become a member

The Boston Athenæum is a membership library for use by its members, and also by scholars and researchers for short and long term projects. It is one of the oldest and largest membership libraries in the country.

Predating all American public libraries, the Boston Athenæum was founded in 1807 by a group of gentlemen who wished to provide themselves with " a reading room, a library, a museum and a laboratory." Past members of the Athenæum include John Quincy Adams, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Amy Lowell, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Daniel Webster, and Lydia Maria Child.

The original structure of the Athenæum remains in the form of shares owned by Proprietors. Shares are limited in number to 1,049 by charter of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Proprietors may exercise voting privileges at the annual meeting. Information on the purchase of shares is available through the Director's Office.

All members of the Boston Athenæum enjoy the privilege of borrowing books and the use of reference and book mailing services and have access to special collections. Members receive invitations to Athenæum events, which include lectures and book signings, art exhibitions, musical events, and children's programs; they also receive mailings of Athenæum Items, the Library newsletter, and discounts on many items in the bookstore.

Individual and Family Membership Applications

   Complete an online application or print out an application and mail it to us

Institutional Membership Application

Your annual $500 institutional membership fee includes three individual memberships. Up to five additional individual memberships may be purchased at $100 each.  Read more about Institutional Membership.

   Print out an application and mail it to us.

Membership applications should be mailed to

   Karen Beach, Associate Director of Advancement
   The Boston Athenæum
   10 ½ Beacon Street
   Boston, Massachusetts 02108

Call Karen E. Beach, Associate Director of Advancement in the Membership Office at 617-720-7641 for more information about membership.