readers borrowed 6,006 physical items 11,375 digital items 17,767 total items
reading room
The Reading Room offers a haven from the “bustle and strife” of the world, a visual feast and a repository of countless worlds in the volumes on its shelves. Our members appreciate the beauty and inspiration offered by this historic space. Last year, book circulation averaged seven books per member, and at least 15 people per day sat down to read, write or study. The tables supported a bounty of food at post-talk receptions, where conversations sparkled and soared.
BOOKISH PURSUITS
The Reading Room remained a popular space for members to escape the world around them with thousands of books to choose from, old-world charm and and 21st-century amenities. Members use the space for a multitude of reasons – including as a space for study, research, remote work, quiet reflection and reading.
Each month, library staff created themed displays to simplify browsing and discovery of interesting books. Monthly highlights included New York Times 100 Best Books of the 21st-century Century, Banned Books, Black Philadelphia, Celebrating Roger W. Moss and Ireland and Irish Authors.
most popular physical books
The Athenæum’s avid readers favored stories by Philadelphia-based authors, though these stories often took them to places far beyond the city limits.
most popular DIGITAL books
The Athenæum’s eBook and audiobook collection, hosted by CloudLibrary, is a convenient way for members to check out books from afar. Whether the member lives in another state or country, or simply doesn’t feel like leaving the comfort of their own home, they can access a wide variety of titles sure to stimulate their imagination.
2024 LITERARY AWARD WINNERS
Established in 1950, The Athenæum Literary Award recognizes books of literary excellence by local authors and/or works that examine and reflect life in the greater Philadelphia area.
The award is given each year and includes a cash prize and an invitation to give a public lecture at The Athenæum that is supported by the Charles Wharton Stork endowment fund. The books under consideration must have been published during the calendar year. In FY2025, the Literary Awards Committee considered sixty books for the award. In February 2025, the committee announced their shortlist. The committee awarded the prize to Elizabeth A. Athens’ William Bartram’s Visual Wonders: The Botanical Drawings of an American Naturalist for non-fiction and Emma Copley Eisenberg’s Housemates for fiction. The awards were announced at the 2025 Annual Shareholders’ Meeting in April. Athens and Copley Eisenberg will present their public lectures this fall at The Athenaeum.
The first event Kirk attended at The Athenæum was Member Monday, where he quickly formed friendships that have thrived beyond the library. Now a daily visitor to the Member Lounge and Reading Room, Kirk attends as many programs as possible and enjoys spreading the word about our institution's many offerings. He’s especially keen on helping everyone enjoy the social side of The Athenæum, especially new members.