Participation is offered exclusively to full-year Athenæum members. Consider becoming a member if you’d like to join a group!

Members can register for one group each year. Registration must be completed using the online form which can be accessed on the bottom of each group’s webpage.

Initital registration for reading groups opens in mid-July. Members are welcome to register for remaining spaces throughout the year. Registration for Fall 2026 – Spring 2027 reading groups opened in two windows: Wednesday, July 15 at 8am and Saturday, July 18th at noon. Half the available spots were released during the first window and the remaining half during the second.

What is the expected commitment of joining a reading group?

Given that most of the reading groups maintain lengthy waitlists, members are expected to attend as many meetings as possible or let their facilitator know if they cannot attend a session. Library staff will check in after multiple absences to ensure members wish to continue. The spaces of participants who miss multiple meetings or whose memberships lapse will be offered to waitlisted members. Groups typically run monthly September through May.

I have an Introductory membership. Can I join a group?

As reading group participation is a full-year commitment, registration is reserved for full-year members. If you’d like to upgrade your membership to an eligible level, please call 401-421-6970 or email membership@provath.org.

What if the group I wanted to join is full?

Waitlists are offered for all groups! Simply email readinggroups@provath.org with your name, email, and the name of your preferred group as the subject line.

Can I join a waitlist if I’m not a member?

Yes, you are welcome to add your name to a waitlist before beginning a library membership. If a space does become available for you, you would need to purchase a full-year membership to claim it.

All participants must accept the following guidelines before registering.

1. ATTENDANCE. By joining a reading group, I intend to attend as many meetings as possible.
a. If I cannot continue with the group, I will notify the Athenæum as soon as possible to allow waitlisted attendees to participate.
b. I understand that if I miss consecutive meetings without notifying the facilitator or Athenæum staff, my spot in the group may be offered to a waitlisted member.

2. MEMBERSHIP. I will maintain an Athenæum membership for the length of the reading group. I understand that if I fail to renew my membership, my spot in the group will be offered to a waitlisted member.

3. RESPECT. I will treat other readers and the group leader with respect, allowing others to voice thoughts and opinions.

4. FACILITATORS. The views and opinions of the leaders are their own, and do not necessarily represent the mission or views of the Athenæum. The Athenæum does not curate, censor, or specify reading lists.
a. I understand that the reading group leader is a volunteer who uses their own expertise to curate and guide the readings, and that any concerns should be directed to Athenæum staff.

Please note that group meetings occasionally deviate from a consistent monthly schedule to accommodate holidays. Make sure to check the full schedule listed on each group’s individual webpage before registering.

Groups at capacity are crossed out. All filled groups maintain active waitlists.

Tuesday groups
*VIRTUAL* Documentary+ with Steve Coon | 1st Tuesdays, 5:30-7pm (Zoom)
Gumshoe Gnosis with Jonathan Migliori & Bonnie Clayton | 1st Tuesdays, 5-7pm (Reading Room)
In Search of Lost Time with Rich Lamon | 1st Tuesdays, 5:30-7pm (Art Room)
Come to Ireland with Diana Champa | 2nd Tuesdays, 5:30-7pm (Bound)
Exploring Correspondence with Nancy Kendrick | 2nd Tuesdays, 5:30-7pm (Art Room)
Examined Life with Bryan Olin | 4th Tuesday, 5:30-7pm (Bound)
Ulysses with Angus Lockyer & Erin Weiss | 4th Tuesdays, 5:30-7pm (Art Room)

Wednesday groups
*VIRTUAL* Documentary+ with Steve Coon | 1st Wednesdays, 5:30-7pm (Zoom)
Clearly, More than Ever with Erin Perfect | 1st Wednesdays, 5:30-7pm (Bound)
Less is More: The Science Fiction & Fantasy Novella with Eden Kupermintz | 1st Wednesdays, 5:30-7pm (Art Room)
Documentaries of Citizen Empowerment with Samanthe Sheffer | 2nd Wednesdays, 5:30-7pm (Art Room)
y u so obsessed wit me? with Sydney Healey & Sage Bierman | 2nd Wednesdays, 5:30-7pm (Bound)
Between Friends with Meredith Gabor & Kathy Sherman | 3rd Wednesdays, 5:30-7pm (Bound)
*VIRTUAL* Aotearoa (New Zealand) with Clare Jones | 4th Wednesdays, 5:30-7pm (Zoom)
Time Travel with Charlotte Taylor | 4th Wednesdays, 5:30-7pm (Bound)

Thursday groups
*VIRTUAL* Reading Like a Writer with K Chess | 2nd Thursdays, 7-8:30pm (Zoom)

Saturday groups
The House is Haunted with Tom Sojka | 3rd Saturdays, 12-1:30pm (Bound)

Sunday groups
Can’t Not Read Kant with Lenny Cambra | 1st Sundays, 2-3:30 (Art Room)
Out & In Print with Kipp Brott | 1st Sundays, 2-3:30pm (Bound)
NYT Bestsellers & Beyond with Kathleen Spencer, Jan Erie, & Sara Misgen | 2nd Sundays, 11:30am-1pm (Bound)
The Two Emilys with Tammy Bolotow | 3rd Sundays, 12-1:30pm (Bound)
(Brush)strokes of Genius with Marianne Williams | 4th Sundays, 12-1:30pm (Art Room)