Mission
THE PROVIDENCE ATHENAEUM IS AN INDEPENDENT MEMBER-SUPPORTED LIBRARY AND CULTURAL CENTER, FOUNDED IN 1836 AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. HAVING ALWAYS BEEN ORGANIZED AS A CULTURAL INSTITUTION FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY, THE ATHENAEUM OBTAINED RECOGNITION AS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATION IN THE 1970S. TODAY IT CONTINUES TO FULFILL THE INTENTION OF ITS FOUNDERS BY OFFERING A BROAD RANGE OF SERVICES TO A DIVERSE PUBLIC, WITH OVER 61,000 VISITORS IN 2024-25, MORE THAN 2,600 OF WHOM SUPPORT THE LIBRARY DIRECTLY THROUGH MEMBERSHIP. THE COLLECTIONS, PROGRAMMING, AND THE SERVICES WE PROVIDE ARE OF PRIMARY INTEREST TO LOCAL AS WELL AS NATIONAL AUTHORS, EDUCATORS, MUSICIANS, ACTORS, POETS, ARTISTS, AND JOURNALISTS FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE.