Visit Us
The Salem Athenaeum
337 Essex Street
Salem, Massachusetts 01970
For directions from your location, click here.
Library Hours
- Tuesday-Friday
11 AM to 6 PM - Saturday
11 AM to 4 PM - Closed Sunday and Monday
Holiday Hours
Closed most holidays, including:
- Memorial Day weekend
Labor Day weekend - Veteran’s Day
Thanksgiving and Friday after, open Saturday
December 25-January 1
Closings will be posted on the Calendar.
General FAQs
What is an Athenaeum? Athenaeum is another word for a library. The Greek-derived term became popular in the early 19th century along with other aspects of the classical world from architecture to the new democratic republic form of government adopted by the United States.
Why join the Salem Athenaeum? Most join for the books and the beautiful spaces in which to read them. Others join for the lectures, groups, and workshops. Families enjoy that we have books for young readers. Scholars join to take advantage of the special collections. Writers join for a quiet space to work and a supportive community. New residents join to make friends and connections. History lovers join to support an institution that has been a cornerstone of civic life in the region for over 250 years.
When was the Salem Athenaeum founded? Our story began in 1760 when the Social Library was founded by physician Edward Augustus Holyoke and other residents of Salem. In 1810, the Social Library merged with the Philosophical Library (formed in 1781) and they incorporated under the new name Salem Athenaeum. See the History for more information.
Has the Salem Athenaeum always been located here? The Athenaeum and its predecessor libraries occupied several rented locations in downtown Salem then built its first building at 132 Essex Street, now the Plummer Hall building at the Peabody Essex Museum. In 1906-7, our current stately red brick home at 337 Essex Street was custom-built for the Athenaeum based on the design of the Carroll estate called “Homewood” in Baltimore, Maryland.
How is the Athenaeum funded? The Athenaeum is a member-supported non-profit and 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization (Tax ID# 041-802-590). We rely on dues, donations, and sponsorships for the majority of our income with supplementation from event and rental fees, grants, and investment income.
Using the Athenaeum FAQs
Do I have to be a member to come in? Anyone is welcome to view the exhibition, read/study/work in the reading rooms, and conduct research during open hours. Most programs, groups, and events are also open to the public.
May I conduct research or study here? You are welcome to access the collections in aid of research and to study quietly. To use special collections, please make a research appointment at least 48 hours in advance. Let us know ahead of time if you are looking for specific items so we can have relevant material ready for you.
May I book the Athenaeum for an event, meeting, class or study group? Members may book the Trustees Room (upstairs reading room) for informal meetings and study groups during open hours. Reserving in advance is strongly recommended.
To rent the Athenaeum for a special event or for use during off hours, please see Facilities Rental. [link]
Does the Athenaeum offer Wi-Fi? We do – you must bring your own phone, computer, or tablet. Our password can be found on printed cards placed on the tables, or ask at the desk.
May I use the garden even when the Athenaeum is closed? The garden is open daily from 9:00 am until dusk for reading, strolling, or contemplation. Please leave no trace: take everything you bring with you. If you move chairs or benches, please put them back where you found them.
Are well-behaved dogs allowed inside the building? Well-behaved dogs may accompany you into the building and must be kept on a leash at all times. Dogs are not permitted in the garden with an exception made for service dogs.
Is it possible to arrange a tour? We offer new member tours quarterly; check the calendar for the next date. Email us at staff@salemathenaeum.net to arrange a tour at another time. Let us know if you’d be interested in focusing on special aspects of our collection, or just a general tour.
May I eat/drink in the building? You may enjoy snacks and/or drinks in the reading rooms or on the back porch. In order to avoid unintentionally harming materials, be sure to wash your hands after eating. Please inform the staff if there is a spill so that the area may be cleaned properly. We ask you not to bring food or beverages into the stacks or the Wendt Room (exhibition room).
Our tea/coffee/cocoa service in the main level reading room is available for a small fee per cup.
Is the Athenaeum wheelchair accessible? Not yet – we are in the planning stages of an improvement project [link] to add an exterior ramp and an interior elevator. Please see the Accessibility Guide [link] for information about accommodations for using the library or attending events.
Readers' FAQs
How long may I check books out and do I need to renew? We offer a three-week loan period that automatically renews. We encourage you to finish reading your book and enjoy it rather than rushing to return it by its due date. If another member has requested the book, we will notify you via email and request that you return the book by its due date or as soon as possible if that date has passed.
What kinds of books do you have and what may I check out? The Athenaeum collection reflects the intellectual interests of our members from 1760 until today. We receive new books every week.
Our circulating collection is over 30,000 volumes strong – from mysteries to science, biographies to literary fiction, gardening to fantasy, we have titles on a wide variety of topics. Feel free to explore the two reading rooms and the main and lower levels of the stacks on your own.
The special collections number more than 15,000 items. Strengths include natural history, natural sciences and technology, literature, children’s literature, theology, philosophy, travel and discovery, and books and pamphlets about Salem.
I can’t find the book I’m looking for. Where can I double check if the Athenaeum has it? Staff is always happy to help and usually the quickest method is to ask for assistance.
Our digital catalog has all new books, all the circulating fiction, and non-fiction added since 1945. If you know it’s an older book, you can check our card catalog under the author. There are several classification systems in use
What are the fines for overdue books? There are no past due fees, so enjoy your books and get them back to us when you are finished. We will contact you if someone else is looking for a book you have out. If you lose a book, there is a flat $25 replacement fee.
Where do you keep fiction, non-fiction, and biographies? Currently, you will find most circulating fiction housed in the main level stacks. You will find newly acquired fiction on top of the card catalogue in the main level reading room as well as on the bookshelf behind it. Most of our main level reading room is non-fiction, with new non-fiction and biographies on the shelves to the left of the back doors. In the upstairs reading room, you will find biographies to the left, and additional non-fiction in the rest of the room. You’ll find serial publications (newspapers, journals, and magazines) on the large table and in a magazine rack on the right side of downstairs reading room, with back issues located in the upstairs reading room.
Do you have a children’s collection? In one corner of the main reading room are picture books, early readers, middle grade chapter books, general non-fiction and biography and a small collection of young adult novels. Many of the books in the circulating children’s collection are classics such as Beatrix Potter, but we also add new materials regularly. The children’s corner has child-size seating and puzzles and blocks to entertain little ones while their grown-ups select books for themselves.
Children’s Literature is also one of our special historical collections available for research and study. First editions of Louisa May Alcott and Frank Baum are features, as well as early illustrated chap books dating to the mid-nineteenth century.
Membership FAQs
May anyone become a member? Anyone 18 and older may join by paying the subscription fee and completing the registration form.
What types of membership does the Athenaeum offer? We offer four types of membership: an individual subscription; a household subscription; an educator subscription; and proprietorship. See _____ for details
Are there membership cards? We maintain records for circulation on site. We do not currently issue membership cards.
When will my membership take effect and when can I start taking out books? Your membership takes effect immediately upon payment. We want you to be able to become part of the Athenæum community right away! It may take a few days to process and send you a confirmation letter in the mail.
Will I receive a notice when it’s time to renew my membership? You will receive a notice when that time comes around – either by email or post. Subscribers renew on a rolling basis throughout the year based on your join date. Our renewal period for Proprietors begins June 1st each year after the assessment is set at the annual meeting in May.
Events & Programming FAQs
Where do events take place? Our calendar includes in-person and livestreamed events.
Most in-person public events take place in the main reading room. When a livestream is available, that link will be emailed to all registrants. We use the Zoom platform.
In-person workshops, reading, and discussions groups take place in the Trustees Room (upstairs reading room) on the second floor.
The Summer Salon Series is primarily held in the garden and should be accessed through the Botts Court gate.
For some large or co-sponsored events, we use an offsite space.
Please see individual listings for details on time, format, and location.
When do events take place? Most events take place on weeknights starting at 7:00 pm. Summer Salons meeting outside start earlier and change over the summer based on available daylight. Most workshops take place on Saturdays during daytime hours.
All start times are Eastern Standard Time.
For in-person events, check-in beginsthirty minutes prior to the stated start time. Registrants are asked not to arrive for check-in prior to that time. A seat cannot be guaranteed after an event has begun.
How may I pay for an event? You can pay for an event ahead of time via credit card directly from the ticketing link in our emails or website. Please note that on many phones, you access the ticketing link by clicking on the green ticket icon on the event description page. You can also pay by phone using a credit card or at the door with cash, check, or credit card.
Do I have to register for an event I’m interested in attending? We strongly recommend registering for programs. It helps us plan seating arrangements and refreshments, and it streamlines check-in at the door. Occasionally, an event will be very popular, and if we know in advance, we may be able to move to a larger venue and/or start a waiting list if it sells out.
How many exhibits does the Athenaeum have every year? Length of exhibitions varies. Recently, the Athenaeum has prepared one exhibit per calendar year.
Does the Athenaeum organize any off-site trips? The Athenaeum offers Member Meet-ups for tours and activities at other venues around the region. Attendees are responsible for their own travel and occasionally stop for a meal together.
I’m on the mailing list, but I’m not receiving any emails about upcoming events, etc? If you are on the mailing list, but you’re not receiving our weekly email newsletters, the first place we’d ask you to check is your Spam or Junk folders/filters or a Promotions/Advertising section. If you still aren’t seeing us there, please bring it to our attention and we will work with you to troubleshoot.
Helping the Athenaeum FAQs
Are you currently taking volunteers? We welcome volunteers to serve on committees and to help with events, garden care, and in the library. We interview for volunteer roles to find the best fit for your interests and talents.
If I’m interested in giving a talk/speaking about my book, whom should I contact? We enjoy promoting local authors and feature talks on many different topics. Please complete the Program Proposal form here.
May I donate books? We gratefully accept book donations for acquisition or sale. Please let us know ahead of time about how many books/boxes you think you’ll be bringing so we can make space for them. You will receive a receipt upon donation, and if we end up adding any of your books to our own collections, your donation will be noted on the bookplate. Please make sure your books are clean from dust and pet hair. We do not accept encyclopedias, textbooks, or water-damaged or moldy books. We do not provide valuation for donations. Appraisals, if needed, must be completed by the donor before items are donated.
Accessibility Guide
The Salem Athenaeum welcomes people of all abilities as visitors and members. Staff members strive to foster an inclusive environment.
Contact staff@salemathenaeum.net by email or 978-744-2540 to request reasonable accommodations, seek information beyond the scope of this guide, or report anything in the guide that needs to be updated.
The Salem Athenaeum building is not yet wheelchair accessible. We are in the planning stages of an improvement project to add an exterior ramp and an interior elevator and accessible restrooms. See The Next Chapter [link to Athenaeum page] page for details.
Programs
We are proud to participate in the Card to Culture [link to Athenaeum page] program, a collaboration between the Mass Cultural Council, the Department of Transitional Assistance, the Women, Infants & Children (WIC) Nutrition Program, and the Massachusetts Health Connector, by broadening accessibility to cultural programming. General admission to the Athenaeum’s programs is discounted 75% per adult with an EBT, WIC, or ConnectorCare card. The discount applies to all members of a household; students in the household are free. Additional fees may apply for special events.
Most programs held in the building are livestreamed on the Zoom platform and available as recordings after the event. Auto-generated captions are available on Zoom.
Presenters use amplification.
Seating with or without arms is available upon request.
Collections
Many library members and visitors find it helpful to consult with our staff to access library materials. Staff will page materials in the stacks and throughout the building and can deliver books at the desk, to the curb, or to your home within a 5-mile radius of the Athenaeum. Delivery at farther distances or mailing services may also be available on a case-by-case basis.
To aid in reading, we offer magnifying glasses and portable lamps.
Tours
Guides speak without amplification and travel to multiple floors via stairs.
Service Animals
Service animals, as defined under Massachusetts law, are welcome.
Building Layout and Entry
The Athenaeum is a contributing property to the McIntire Historic District.
The main entrance is at the top of a flight of 9 granite steps. A single entrance door is 21” with expansion to 42” when both are open. The exit to the garden is also 21” with expansion to 42” when both doors are open. The rear porch is wood with 9 wood steps and 2 stone steps leading to a brick path to Botts Court.
There are 2 main floors, 2 stairwells, and 2 single-occupancy all-gender restrooms.
Most floors are wood with low-pile area rugs or mats. The stacks have glass floors and a metal staircase.
A designated accessible parking space is located immediately in front of the building on Essex Street.
Parking
Free street parking may be available on Essex Street. Metered municipal lots are located at the intersection of Essex Street and Sewall Street and Crombie Street. Travel east on Essex straight through the traffic light at North Street, and the lots are on either side of the next intersection. The MBTA lot at Salem Station, the Universal Steel lot and Museum Place Garage accommodate parking longer than 4 hours. See the City of Salem’s interactive Downtown Parking map for details.
Inclement Weather
If the City of Salem declares a city-wide emergency parking ban (blue flashing lights at major intersections), the Athenaeum is closed, and any planned events or meetings are cancelled for the duration of the parking ban. If a parking ban is lifted by 5:00 p.m., we will hold regularly scheduled events that evening. Online events will be held as planned unless declared otherwise on the website, social media, and email notices.
If there is not an active parking ban during a scheduled program, it will be held unless declared otherwise on the website, voicemail, and email.
We will do our best to be open during regular hours.
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