"My highest ambition will be satisfied and fullest expectations realized, if now and in the coming years, the people make the rooms of the Athenaeum a favorite place of resort for patient research, reading, and study."
Horace Fairbanks, November 1871
The library's original collection consisted of 9,000 finely bound books selected by the noted bibliographer, William F. Poole, author of Poole's Index, Librarian of Chicago's famed Newberry Library, and one of the founders of the American Library Association.
The Athenaeum now has a book collection of 40,000 volumes, including 10,000 books in the Children's Library, 100 periodicals, 6 daily newspapers, Internet access and public access computers for both adults and children.
Hours of Operation
The Athenaeum is open year - round during the following hours:
Monday: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday: 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM
Sunday: Closed
Heritage Quest
All our public access computers on the second floor have access to Heritage Quest to search US Census records and other resources for geneology information. See the Reference Librarian for more information.
Loans & Renewals & Reserves
How long can I borrow materials?
Two Weeks: All 14-day sticker items are non-renewable.
Three Weeks: All other items, except reference materials & other non-circulating material.
What about renewing?
Renew materials by the due date or you will incur fines. Materials can be renewed twice either in person, using our online form, or by phone as long as no one is waiting for them.
What are the overdue charges?
For 14-day sticker items, the fine is 10¢ a day. There is a five-day grace period.
For regular circulation items, the fine is 5¢ a day. There is a ten-day grace period.
The maximum fine is $3.00. Borrowing privileges are suspended when overdue charges reach the maximum fine.
Can I reserve a book?
You can request that a book be put on hold for you. When the book is available we will call or email you. You can put a book on hold either in person, using our online form, or by phone.
Interlibrary Loans (ILL)
If you are a library card holder and are looking for book that the Athenaeum doesn't have, we can try and locate it at another library. We ask for a $1.00 donation. To request an interlibrary loan, you can visit the 1st or 2nd floor desk or use our online form.
Public Access Computers
We have four public access computers available for patrons on the 2nd floor of the library. Computers can be used for either 1/2 hour or 1 hour time slots. Printing is free for the first 3 pages; after that the charge is 20¢ per page. If you want to save your work, only purchased diskettes from the library are allowed. Diskettes are $1.00 each.
In addition to our public access computers, the Athenaeum has free wireless access for patrons, available during regular hours of operation.
Newsletter Archives
Sugaring Season 2007
Summer 2007
Fall 2007
Holiday 2007
Last update: 1/23/08