Providence Athenaeum charters, constitutions, and by-laws (Arch-003)

Historical Note

The Providence Athenæum (1836- ) is an independent, member-supported library and cultural center located in Providence, Rhode Island. Founded originally as "The Athenæum" in 1836, its progenitors were two earlier libraries: The Providence Library Company, founded in 1753, and the Providence Athenaeum, founded in 1831. When they could not agree on terms for a merger, both organizations dissolved and a new library was formed, which purchased a selection of books and periodicals from the two earlier institutions. Housed originally in the Arcade on Weybosset Street in downtown Providence, the Athenæum moved to its new building at 251 Benefit Street in July, 1838. In 1850, “The Athenæum” was renamed “The Providence Athenæum" by amendment to its charter.

Brief overview of the Providence Athenaeum Charter & Amendments:

• 1836 -- When the "Providence Library Company" founded 1753 and the "Providence Athenaeum" founded 1831 dissolved their corporations, a new corporation known as the "Athenaeum" was incorporated February 15, 1836 with a new charter.
• 1850 -- Name amended to the "Providence Athenaeum" (October 1850 Acts & Resolves, page 29, page 37-40)
• 1925 -- Amount changed in Sec. 1 "to have, hold, use and dispose of at their pleasure, goods, chattels, lands and tenements, to an amount not exceeding three hundred thousand dollars" (January 1925 Acts & Resolves, page 453)
• 1958 -- Amount changed in Sec. 1 "to have, hold, use and dispose of at their pleasure, goods, chattels, lands and tenements, to an amount not exceeding seven hundred fifty thousand dollars" (January 1958 Acts & Resolves, pages 1072-1073)
• 1974 -- Sec. 5 & 6 amended to comply with the 501c (3) requirements of the IRS. Section 5 "No part of the net earnings of the corporation shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to, its shareholders, Board of Directors, officers, or other private persons ...". Sec. 6 "Upon the dissolution of the corporation, the Board of Directors shall, after paying or making provision for the payment of all of the liabilities of the corporation, dispose of all of the assets thereof exclusively for charitable, educational, religious or scientific purposes ...".

Brief overview of the Providence Athenaeum Constitution & By-Laws:

• 1836 -- When the "Providence Library Company" founded 1753 and the "Providence Athenaeum" founded 1831 dissolved their corporations, a new corporation known as the "Athenaeum" was founded and a new Constitution and By-Laws were written.
• 1836 -- Constitution & By-Laws (2 documents)
• 1909 -- Constitution & By-Laws amended (2 documents)
• 1974 -- Constitution & By-Laws amended (2 documents)
• 1985 -- Constitution & By-Laws amended (Board merged the two documents into one known as "By-Laws")
• 1992 -- By-Laws amended (Article VI, Sec. 1 Board of Directors; Article VII, Sec. 1 Officers; Article IX Nominating Committee).
• 1997 -- By-Laws amended (Terminology changed from "share" and "Shareholder" to "membership" and "member").
• 2000 -- By-Laws amended (Article V, Sec. 1 Annual meeting; Article V, Sec. 4 Quorum; Article V, Sec. 5 Voting; Article XI, Sec. 4 Parliamentary Authority).

Sources:

• Providence Athenæum website and Wikipedia article viewed online June 28, 2018.
• Charter, Constitutions & By-Laws, 1831-2000 : Providence Athenaeum Archivist's Notebook, ca. 2000.