Since 1814 — 80 years before the Free Library’s founding — The Athenaeum has provided Philadelphians with the best in new and classic literature, books on art and architecture, magazines and journals. We also offer eBooks, DVDs, and audiobooks. In addition, our Shareholders have access to the circulating items in the 4.5-million-volume University of Pennsylvania library system as part of a resource sharing agreement between our institutions.
For members, The Athenaeum is much more than a lending library. It’s a place to hear and meet renowned authors in an intimate setting; join a book club, participate in lively discussions about what you’ve read and what you’re thinking. It’s a place to get personalized reading recommendations from knowledgeable staff and avoid the long wait lines at other libraries. And it’s a place to read, work or relax in a uniquely beautiful, historic setting. WHAT YOU NEED TO GET STARTED
For members, The Athenaeum is much more than a lending library. It’s a place to hear and meet renowned authors in an intimate setting; join a book club, participate in lively discussions about what you’ve read and what you’re thinking. It’s a place to get personalized reading recommendations from knowledgeable staff and avoid the long wait lines at other libraries. And it’s a place to read, work or relax in a uniquely beautiful, historic setting. WHAT YOU NEED TO GET STARTED
THE ATHENAEUM BOOKSHELF
Each month, the Athenaeum librarian highlights a selection of noteworthy new books from our holdings.
VIEW NEW BOOKS
E-BOOKS
The Athenaeum’s e-book collection will work on devices that take apps, such as smartphones or tablets. Have your Athenaeum library card and email available. To find out if an e-book can be added to our collection, contact the librarians. New users click here.
E-BOOKS
To get set up, search for cloudLibrary in your device’s app store and download the app. Have your Athenaeum library card and email available. If you do not yet have a card, please contact the librarians. You may have out a maximum of 5 e-books at a time, and they can be renewed if nobody is waiting. If there is an e-book that you would like to see added to our collection, please contact the librarians and we will see if it is available and within budget. If you have difficulty with access, please contact Lois Reibach.
To get set up, search for cloudLibrary in your device’s app store and download the app. Have your Athenaeum library card and email available. If you do not yet have a card, please contact the librarians. You may have out a maximum of 5 e-books at a time, and they can be renewed if nobody is waiting. If there is an e-book that you would like to see added to our collection, please contact the librarians and we will see if it is available and within budget. If you have difficulty with access, please contact Lois Reibach.
FIND LIBRARY CATALOG
In 2018, the Athenaeum of Philadelphia entered into a resource sharing agreement with the University of Pennsylvania. The Athenaeum’s library catalog is now hosted there as part of their catalog, Find. Use it for finding books, audiobooks, DVDs and trade materials.
BROWSE CATALOG (NON-SHAREHOLDERS)
WHAT YOU NEED TO GET STARTED
All Athenaeum members are entitled to an Athenaeum library card. If you do not already have a card, please contact the librarians to receive one.
Shareholder level members are permitted to borrow items from the University of Pennsylvania’s extensive circulating collections in addition to the resources of the Athenaeum, through our transformative resource sharing agreement.
All other members are restricted to the Athenaeum’s own holdings.
For more information, please click here.
All Athenaeum members are entitled to an Athenaeum library card. If you do not already have a card, please contact the librarians to receive one.
Shareholder level members are permitted to borrow items from the University of Pennsylvania’s extensive circulating collections in addition to the resources of the Athenaeum, through our transformative resource sharing agreement.
All other members are restricted to the Athenaeum’s own holdings.
For more information, please click here.
OFFSITE STORAGE
A search in the Find catalog restricted to the Athenaeum of Philadelphia brings up items held onsite in addition to those held at Penn’s offsite storage facility, LIBRA. We regret that we do not have same-day retrieval of items held in off-site storage. We encourage our patrons to request such items in advance of visiting the library.
Mailing Services
Athenaeum Shareholders are always entitled to have books and other library items mailed directly to them.
A search in the Find catalog restricted to the Athenaeum of Philadelphia brings up items held onsite in addition to those held at Penn’s offsite storage facility, LIBRA. We regret that we do not have same-day retrieval of items held in off-site storage. We encourage our patrons to request such items in advance of visiting the library.
Mailing Services
Athenaeum Shareholders are always entitled to have books and other library items mailed directly to them.
