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Rhode Island Did you know? Rhode Island, America’s smallest state, is home to two of the four oldest surviving libraries in the U.S.—the Redwood Library, founded in Newport in 1747, and its younger sister, the Providence Athenaeum, which celebrates its 250th anniversary this year. An Innovative site since 1998, the Providence Athenaeum is a member-supported library—a rare surviving specimen of the libraries formed before the public-library movement of the mid-19th Century. Its lineage derives in equal measure from ancient European libraries and societies and from early American ideals of self-reliance and community service. Today, the Athenaeum continues to carry on its centuries-old mission of providing access to everyone who enters its doors. In a joint effort with the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) library, the Athenaeum automated in 1998 using Innovative’s system. The cooperative effort between RISD and the Athenaeum offers many advantages to the staff and patrons of both institutions. Aside from the obvious benefits of cost savings and improved services, automating the two libraries has greatly expanded the available resources to users of both institutions. Prior to automating, RISD students did not have borrowing privileges at the Athenaeum unless they purchased a student membership ($25/year at the time). Similarly, Athenaeum members did not have access to the RISD collections unless they were in some way affiliated with the school. By sharing an online catalog, RISD students and Athenaeum members now have access to the vast and unique collections of both institutions.
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American Museum of Natural History |
