Engage with our books! The Athenæum’s wide-ranging collections, both rare and contemporary, represent the reading and acquisition tastes of Providence over the course of three centuries.

All are welcome to use the Athenæum as a resource, whether for personal enjoyment or scholarly research. The public is encouraged to use our collections within the building; members have borrowing privileges as described below.

CIRCULATION POLICIES

Loan Policies
Loan periods for all items are specified by type, below. Please note that items on our shelves which predate 1950 generally do not circulate.

Renewals
Most library materials may be renewed up to six times if there are no holds on them. To renew checked out items, please call the Circulation Desk at 401-421-6970, email circulation@provath.org, or login to your library account through the shared RISD/Athenæum catalog (your library ID number can be found on your membership card or by calling the Circulation Desk).

ILL Policies
Members are welcome to request items that are not currently part of the library collection. Newer items (published in the last two years or so) will generally be purchased for the collection, and older items can usually be acquired through interlibrary loan. Most membership levels (excluding student memberships) entitle borrowers to request up to two items through interlibrary loan per month. Click here for more information.

NEW ITEM REQUESTS

To request an item that is not already in the Athenæum’s collection, please contact the library at 401-421-6970 or email your request to bookrequests@provath.org. All requests should include the title, author, publication date and format (book, DVD, audiobook, periodical).

REFERENCE ASSISTANCE

Our Reference Librarian can assist you with any question, be it a general inquiry or research-oriented. A particular strength of the Athenæum’s Reference Collection is the Rhode Island Collection, which brings together all reference books related to the history and life of Rhode Islanders. If our resources do not yield the answers you are looking for, the Librarian can offer referrals to other relevant collections in the area. Please contact Stephanie Ovoian, Head of Research & Library Services, at research@provath.org or 401-421-6970 x19.

BROWSE

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Engage with our books! The Athenæum’s wide-ranging collections, both rare and contemporary, represent the reading and acquisition tastes of Providence over the course of three centuries.