Guide to the Providence Athenaeum bulletins, 1895-1995


Providence Athenaeum
251 Benefit Street
Providence, RI, 02903
telephone: 401-421-6970
email: info@provath.org
website: www.provath.org

Published in 2019

Collection Overview

Title: Providence Athenaeum bulletins
Date range: 1895-1995
Creator: Providence Athenaeum
Extent: 2.7 linear feet
Abstract: This collection consists of the Providence Athenaeum's bulletins, dating from 1895 to 1995.
Language of materials: English
Repository: Providence Athenaeum
Collection number: Arch-006

Scope & content

This collection consists of the Providence Athenaeum's bulletins, dating from 1895 to 1995. The three Bulletin publications in this collection are:
  • Series 1. The Providence Athenaeum Bulletin, 1895-1899 (old series, published monthly)
  • Series 2. The Providence Athenaeum Quarterly Bulletin, 1903-1905 (published quarterly)
  • Series 3. The Athenaeum Bulletin, 1928-1995 (new series, published occasionally)


The final issue of the Bulletin was published in Summer 1995. After that date the Bulletin was replaced by several newsletters: The Owl (September 1995 to Spring 2000), and then The Universal Penman (2000 to present). See Archives Collection Arch-007 for these newsletters.

In addition, the Owlet (a children's services flyer, to announce programs and story hour readings) and several earlier children's room newsletters have been issued since the 1980s. See Archives Collection Arch-008 for the children's library newsletters.

Series 1. The Providence Athenaeum Bulletin (old series), 1895-1899: Published from 1895-1899, this first set of bulletins is comprised of four volumes (41 issues in all); the masthead states the frequency as "published monthly, October to July". The first page of each issue lists officers, directors, and staff. Board Presidents during these four years are Joseph C. Ely, Royal C. Taft, and Alfred Stone; staff members include J.L. Harrison, librarian and Grace F. Leonard, cataloger. Library hours were weekdays 9 am to 10 pm, with shorter summer hours.

The bulk of each issue's content is a list of recent additions to the collection, by categories, such as "General works", "Religion", "Sociology", "Useful arts", "Fine arts", "History", "Literature" (English, French), "Biography", "Fiction", "Juvenile", and others. General works added to the collection September 1895 included the American Library Association's List of subject headings for use in dictionary catalogs (1895), and Melvil Dewey's Decimal Classification and relative index (1894). This may reflect the fact that the first professionally trained cataloger had been recently hired. In addition, the first issue (Nov. 1895; Vol. 1, No. 1) includes a list at the end of 18 "Regulations" for library use on the last page.

Series 2. The Providence Athenaeum Quarterly Bulletin, 1903-1905: After an apparent gap of four years in the bulletins, the Quarterly Bulletin began publication in January 1903 (Vol. 1, No. 1) and continued through April-June 1905 (Vol. 3, No. 3). This second set of bulletins is comprised of three volumes (11 issues in all), each 4 pages in length except the first which has 6 pages. Once again, the first page of each issue lists officers, directors, and staff. The Board President during these three years is Alfred Stone, and J.L. Harrison is listed as librarian. As with the "old series" of bulletins, the bulk of content in these quarterly bulletins is a list of recent additions to the collection.

Series 3. The Athenaeum Bulletin (new series), 1928-1995: The new series of the Athenaeum Bulletin began publication in June 1928 and continued until Summer 1995. There are 66 volumes in all.

Content of the new series Bulletins: The content of early issues of this 3rd set of bulletins echoes the previous bulletins, consisting almost entirely of a list of additions to the collections. But over time, the content changes significantly. Narrative articles begin to appear, there is an emphasis on programming and community engagement. Upcoming social events, special programs, and trips for members are also included. There are short articles, only a few highlighted new additions to the collection, but no longer full listings. Photographs, illustrations and designs abound, and the "Athena" logo (surrounded by 3 owls and the date 1753) begins to appear with the September 1975 issue.

Format of the new series Bulletins: The length of earlier bulletins (1895-1899 and 1903-1905) are generally 4-6 pages and 15 cm. in height. This format continues through Vols. 1-24 (1928-1952) of the Bulletins (new series). Beginning September 1953 the paper became glossier. With the June 1971 issue (Vol. 44, No. 1) heavier stock covers appear and internal pages are printed on color paper, with illustrations. Beginning with the June 1979 issue (Vol. 51, No. 1) the page height increases to 25 cm. and between 1973-1978 decreased to 23 cm. While the number of pages remained 4-6 through 1968, the length began to increase in subsequent issues to as many as 36 pages (issues between 1973-1978 varied from 12-20 pages in length). Earlier bulletins were printed in black and white, whereas color ink and varied typography is added in this new series.

Frequency of the new series Bulletins: On the masthead of Vol. 1, No. 1 (June 1928) the frequency is stated as "published occasionally". Volumes published from 1928-1937 are issued 4 times per year; from 1938-1978 there are 4-5 issues per volume, sometimes including a separate issue for the Athenaeum's annual report; from 1979-1995 this third set of bulletins has only one issue per volume.

Access Points

Subject Names Subject Organizations Subject Topics Document Types Subject Topics

Arrangement

Arranged in three series:

  • Series 1. Providence Athenaeum Bulletin, 1895-1899
  • Series 2. Providence Athenaeum Quarterly Bulletin, 1903-1905
  • Series 3. Athenaeum Bulletin, 1928-1995
    • Subseries 3.1. Bound issues of the Bulletin in Philbrick Reference
    • Subseries 3.2. Unbound issues of the Bulletin in Isham Room

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.

Sources: Providence Athenæum website and Wikipedia article viewed online June 28, 2018.

Access & Use

Access to the collection: Open to public research. Materials are available by prior appointment that requires 24-hour advance notice.
Use of the materials: It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances. Researchers seeking to publish materials should complete an Application to Publish Library Materials available through written request to info@provath.org
Preferred citation: Providence Athenaeum bulletins, Arch-006, Providence Athenaeum.
Contact information: Providence Athenaeum
251 Benefit Street
Providence, RI, 02903
telephone: 401-421-6970
email: info@provath.org
website: www.provath.org

Administrative Information

ABOUT THE COLLECTION  
Accruals: No additional materials are expected for this collection.
ABOUT THE FINDING AID  
Author: Finding aid written by Sarah Shaw, July 2019.
Encoding: Encoded using Oxygen XML Editor 2019-04-01
Descriptive rules: Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)

Additional Information

Related material: Full scans of the 1895-1899 Bulletins (old series) and 1903-1905 Quarterly Bulletins, from originals held by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Library, are viewable on the Hathi Trust Digital Library website: Related collections at the Providence Athenaeum: Further information on several art objects held by the Providence Athenaeum and featured in Bulletin articles can be found on the Providence Athenaeum Art Collection website.

Inventory

Series 1. Providence Athenaeum Bulletin, Old series, 1895-1899

Container Description Date
Philbrick Reference , Item 1 The Providence Athenaeum Bulletin, 1895-99
1 bound volume

Contents Note: Volumes 1-4, "published monthly, October to July". Some issues combine several months, for example the first issue (November 1895) is Vol. 1, No. 1-2, presumably including October, and the final issue (April-July, 1899) is Vol. 4, No. 7-10. Bound together October 27, 1900 with spine title: The Providence Athenaeum Bulletin, 1895-99, 1-4".

Contents:
  • Vol. 1, No. 1-11 (1895 [October]-November to 1896 August); 42 pages.
  • Vol. 2, No. 1-10 (1896 October to 1897 September); 42 pages.
  • Vol. 3, No. 1-10 (1897 October to 1898 August); 40 pages.
  • Vol. 4, No. 1-10 (1898 October-November to 1899 April-July); 26 pages.


 1895 November - 1899 July

Series 2. Providence Athenaeum Quarterly Bulletin, 1903-1905

Container Description Date
Philbrick Reference , Item 2 The Providence Athenaeum Quarterly Bulletin, 1903-1905
1 bound volume

Contents Note: Vols. 1-3, published January 1903 to June 1905. Bound together with spine title: Providence Athenaeum Bulletin, 1903-05, 1-3".

Contents:
  • Vol. 1, No. 1-4 (1903 January, April, April-June, July-September); 14 pages.
  • Vol. 2, No. 1-4 (1903 October-December; 1904 January-March, April-June, July-September); 16 pages.
  • Vol. 3, No. 1-3 (1904 October-December; 1905 January-March, April-June); 12 pages.


 1903 January - 1905 June

Series 3. Athenaeum Bulletin (new series), 1928-1995

Subseries 3.1. Bound issues of the Bulletin in Philbrick Reference
5 bound volumes

The Philbrick Reference bound issues of the Bulletin span from June, 1928 through March 1978 (Vols. 1-50)

Issues of the Bulletin lacking in Philbrick Reference holdings, but available in Isham Room unbound holdings Boxes 3-4 are:

  • Vol. 41, No. 1-4 (1968 June - 1969 March)
  • Vol. 50, No. 4 (1978 June)


For details of individual issues and some highlighted articles, see Isham unbound holdings description (Subseries 3.2) at end of this inventory.

Container Description Date
Philbrick Reference , Item 3 The Athenaeum Bulletin (Vol. 1-10)
Contents Note: Bound volume of 41 issues.

 1928 June -1938 April
Philbrick Reference , Item 4 Athenaeum Bulletin (Vol. 11-25)
Contents Note: Bound volume of 60 issues. During this period, the Bulletins were issued in June, September, December, and March with two exceptions; Vol. 12, No. 1 was issued twice in June 1939 as Part 1 and Part 2, and Vol. 15 has only 3 issues with none published in December 1942).

1938 June -1953 March
Philbrick Reference , Item 5 Athenaeum Bulletin (Vol. 26-40)
Contents Note: Bound volume of 48 issues. From June 1953 to March 1956 (Volumes 26-28), and again from June 1959 through March 1968 (Volumes 32-40) the Bulletin was issued in June (no. 1), a combined issue dated "September and December ... nos. 2 and 3", and in March (no. 4). A more complex numbering is found for the period June 1956 through March 1959 (Volumes 29-31); during this period the Bulletin was issued in June (No. 1), then twice as a combined issue in "Septemer and December ... No. 2 and 3", Parts 1 and 2, and finally in March (No. 4).

 1953 June -1968 March
Philbrick Reference , Item 6 Athenaeum Bulletin (Vol. 42-57)
Contents Note: Bound volume of 31 issues.

 1969 June - 1985 June
Philbrick Reference , Item 7 Athenaeum Bulletin (Vol. 46-50)
Contents Note: Bound volume of 15 issues dating 1973-1978. During this period, the Bulletins were issued in June, September, and March.

Lacking in this binding: Vol. 50, No. 4 (1978 June) issue. Vol. 50, No. 4 is, however, bound in Philbrick Reference Item 6 (Vols. 42-57).

 1973 June -1978 March

Subseries 3.2. Unbound issues of the Bulletin in Isham Room
5 boxes

The Isham Room holdings of the Bulletin (unbound copies of Vols. 1-66) span from June, 1928 through Summer 1995.

While this is an incomplete set of Vols. 1-66, all issues lacking in Isham Room holdings are available in Philbrick Reference, including Vols. 42-46 (1969-1974). Particular issues lacking are listed below by Isham box.

Gaps in publication schedule: It appears no issue of the Athenaeum Bulletin was published in December 1942 (Vol. 15), nor in the year 1992.

Container Description Date
Isham Shelf 5, Box 1 Athenaeum Bulletin, new series (Vols. 1-25)
Contents Note: Complete set of unbound issues of Vols. 1-25.

Issues in Isham Box 1 are:
  • Vol. 1, No. 1, 1928 June. Masthead: "Published occasionally by the Providence Athenaeum". Short sections on "How the Athenaeum buys its books", summer reading for adults and children, Subscription rates, "Louis XVI and Franklin" in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the treaty between France and the United States.
  • Vol. 1, No. 2, 1928 September. 175th anniversary of the Providence Library Company.
  • Vol. 1, No. 3, 1928 December. 175th anniversary of the Providence Library Company, mail delivery of library books, story-hour for children on Saturdays, Christmas books and gift suggestions.
  • Vol. 1, No. 4, 1929 April. The Holder Borden Bowen Library.
  • Vol. 2, No. 1, 1929 June.
  • Vol. 2, No. 2, 1929 September.
  • Vol. 2, No. 3, 1929 December.
  • Vol. 2, No. 4, 1930 March. William Herbert Perry Faunce remembered.
  • Vol. 3, No. 1, 1930 June. Recently acquired Journals of John James Audubon.
  • Vol. 3, No. 2, 1930 September. Construction of the Athenaeum Building, 1837-1838.
  • Vol. 3, No. 3, 1930 December. Construction of the Athenaeum Building, [Part] II. Image of The Providence Athenaeum "from an old print" on cover.
  • Vol. 3, No. 4, 1931 March. "The Hours" article on Edward Greene Malbone's miniature.
  • Vol. 4, No. 1, 1931 June.
  • Vol. 4, No. 2, 1931 September.
  • Vol. 4, No. 3, 1931 December. Statistics comparing endowment, dues, and circulation of the New York Society Library, Boston Athenaeum, Redwood Library (Newport), and Providence Athenaem.
  • Vol. 4, No. 4, 1932 March. An invitation to Mount Vernon (to William Wilkinson from George Washington).
  • Vol. 5, No. 1, 1932 June.
  • Vol. 5, No. 2, 1932 September. List of portraits in the Athenaeum. Annual meeting article (in many September Bulletins).
  • Vol. 5, No. 3, 1932 December.
  • Vol. 5, No. 4, 1933 March. Annual report summary (Year ending August 31, 1932 was not printed "as a matter of necessary economy").
  • Vol. 6, No. 1, 1933 June.
  • Vol. 6, No. 2, 1933 September.
  • Vol. 6, No. 3, 1933 December. William Jones Hoppin Aug. 6, 1844 letter regarding the building of Grace Church.
  • Vol. 6, No. 4, 1934 March. An Emerson letter to Dr. Bartol.
  • Vol. 7, No. 1, 1934 June. A schoolboy's reading in the 1830's (from the old charging books).
  • Vol. 7, No. 2, 1934 September.
  • Vol. 7, No. 3, 1934 December. Annual report summary ("as a matter of necessary economy ...").
  • Vol. 7, No. 4, 1935 March. Audubon anniversary.
  • Vol. 8, No. 1, 1935 June. The Silver Jubilee.
  • Vol. 8, No. 2, 1935 September. Recent books by Rhode Island authors or relating to Rhode Island.
  • Vol. 8, No. 3, 1935 December. The Athenaeum's one hundred years.
  • Vol. 8, No. 4, 1936 March. A proposed renovation of the reading room.
  • Vol. 9, No. 1, 1936 June. Athenaeum Centennial exhibition.
  • Vol. 9, No. 2, 1936 September.
  • Vol. 9, No. 3, 1936 December. Annual report summary ("as a matter of economy ...").
  • Vol. 9, No. 4, 1937 March.
  • Vol. 10, No. 1, 1937 June. Rhode Island Short Story Club's notable gift.
  • Vol. 10, No. 2, 1937 September. The Athenaeum in the 1840's : a letter from its librarian.
  • Vol. 10, No. 3, 1937 December. Article on the architect of the Athenaeum Building (William Strickland).
  • Vol. 10, No. 4, Part 1. 1938 April.
  • Vol. 10, No. 4, Part 2. 1938 April.
  • Vol. 11, No. 1, 1938 June. John Hay and the Athenaeum.
  • Vol. 11, No. 2, 1938 September. The first printing press in Providence.
  • Vol. 11, No. 3, 1938 December. Books being read one hundred and eighty years ago.
  • Vol. 11, No. 4, 1939 March. Marriage notice of Peleg Peckham and Elizabeth Coggeshall, 1731.
  • Vol. 12, No. 1, Part 1 1939 June. The Athenaeum 1894-1911 by Joseph LeRoy Harrison.
  • Vol. 12, No. 1, Part 2. 1939 June.
  • Vol. 12, No. 2, 1939 September. The New England hurricane.
  • Vol. 12, No. 3, 1939 December.
  • Vol. 12, No. 4, 1940 March. The Providence Athenaeum, a brief history (copies mailed to members).
  • Vol. 13, No. 1, 1940 June.
  • Vol. 13, No. 2, 1940 September. An Aztec herbal of 1552.
  • Vol. 13, No. 3, 1940 December.
  • Vol. 13, No. 4, 1941 April. The privileges of the Athenaeum.
  • Vol. 14, No. 1, 1941 June. Privileges for Army and Navy officers.
  • Vol. 14, No. 2, 1941 September. Miss Leonard's resignation as Librarian.
  • Vol. 14, No. 3, 1941 December. Forgotten books.
  • Vol. 14, No. 4, 1942 March. What to read ... Shirer's Berlin Diary ... Ambassador Davies' Mission to Moscow ... Dragon's teeth by Upton Sinclair.
  • Vol. 15, No. 1, 1942 June.
  • Vol. 15, No. 2, 1942 September. Books of voyages and discovery.
  • Vol. 15, No. 3, 1943 March. Rhode Island Colonial money and its counterfeiting, 1674-1726; Walks around Providence; The Library, Rhode Island School of Design.
  • Vol. 16, No. 1, 1943 June.
  • Vol. 16, No. 2, 1943 September.
  • Vol. 16, No. 3, 1943 December.
  • Vol. 16, No. 4, 1944 March. The Providence Oath of Allegiance and its signers, 1651-2 by R. Bowen; Lovecraft and Benefit Street by D.C. Walter.
  • Vol. 17, No. 1, 1944 June. Cyrus Butler and the Providence Athenaeum.
  • Vol. 17, No. 2, 1944 September. The Arcade and the Athenaeum.
  • Vol. 17, No. 3, 1944 December.
  • Vol. 17, No. 4, 1945 March.
  • Vol. 18, No. 1, 1945 June. Taking out a book [during wartime].
  • Vol. 18, No. 2, 1945 September.
  • Vol. 18, No. 3, 1945 December.
  • Vol. 18, No. 4, 1946 March.
  • Vol. 19, No. 1, 1946 June.
  • Vol. 19, No. 2, 1946 September.
  • Vol. 19, No. 3, 1946 December.
  • Vol. 19, No. 4, 1947 March.
  • Vol. 20, No. 1, 1947 June.
  • Vol. 20, No. 2, 1947 September.
  • Vol. 20, No. 3, 1947 December.
  • Vol. 20, No. 4, 1948 March.
  • Vol. 21, No. 1, 1948 June.
  • Vol. 21, No. 2, 1948 September.
  • Vol. 21, No. 3, 1948 December. Judge Alexander Lyman Churchill; Albert Knight Potter.
  • Vol. 21, No. 4, 1949 March. Thomas E. Steere memorial minute.
  • Vol. 22, No. 1, 1949 June.
  • Vol. 22, No. 2, 1949 September. Athenaeum's endowment compared to the Redwood Library and Boston Athenaeum.
  • Vol. 22, No. 3, 1949 December.
  • Vol. 22, No. 4, 1950 March.
  • Vol. 23, No. 1, 1950 June. Joseph LeRoy Harrison.
  • Vol. 23, No. 2, 1950 September.
  • Vol. 23, No. 3, 1950 December. William Strickland, architect of the Providence Athenaeum building.
  • Vol. 23, No. 4, 1951 March.
  • Vol. 24, No. 1, 1951 June.
  • Vol. 24, No. 2, 1951 September.
  • Vol. 24, No. 3, 1951 December. Report of the 200th Anniversary Committee.
  • Vol. 24, No. 4, 1952 March.
  • Vol. 25, No. 1, 1952 June.
  • Vol. 25, No. 2, 1952 September.
  • Vol. 25, No. 3, 1952 December.
  • Vol. 25, No. 4, 1953 March.


 1928 June - 1953 March
Isham Shelf 5, Box 2 Athenaeum Bulletin, New Series (Vols. 1-12)
Contents Note: Complete set of unbound duplicates of all Vols. 1-12 issues, with the following 7 exceptions:
  • Lacks Vol. 2, No. 2 (1929 September)
  • Lacks Vol. 3, No. 1-3 (1930 June, September, and December)
  • Lacks Vol. 5, No. 2 (1932 September)
  • Lacks Vol. 6, No. 3 (1933 December)
  • Lacks Vol. 8, No. 1 (1935 June)
These gaps in Isham Box 2 holdings are available in Isham Box 1.

1928 June - 1940 March
Isham Shelf 5, Box 3 Athenaeum Bulletin, New Series (Vols. 13-41)
Contents Note: Isham Box 3 contents summary:
  • Vols. 13-19 (1940-1947) -- duplicates of Isham Box 1 holdings
  • Vols. 22-24 (1949-1953) -- duplicates of Isham Box 1 holdings
  • Vol. 28, No. 4 (1956 March)
  • Vols. 30-32 (1957-1960)
  • Vols. 36-41 (1963-1969)
All issues are unbound; most are folded into issues; some are unfolded sheets.

Issues in Isham Box 3 are:
  • Vol. 13, No. 1-4 (1940-1941) folded
  • Vol. 14, No. 1-4 (1941-1942) folded
  • Vol. 15, No. 1-3 (1942-1943) folded
  • Vol. 16, No. 1 and 3 (1943 June, December) folded
  • Vol. 16, No. 2 and 4 (1943 September, 1944 March) unfolded
  • Vol. 17, No. 1 and 3 (1944 June, December) folded
  • Vol. 17, No. 2 and 4 (1944 September, 1945 March) unfolded
  • Vol. 18, No. 1 (1945 June) folded and unfolded
  • Vol. 18, No. 2-4 (1945 September and December, 1946 March) unfolded
  • Vol. 19, No. 1-2 (1946 June, September) unfolded
  • Vol. 19, No. 3 (1946 December) folded
  • Vol. 22, No. 4 (1950 March) unfolded
  • Vol. 23, No. 1-4 (1950 June - 1951 March) unfolded
  • Vol. 24, No. 1-3 (1951 June - December) unfolded
  • Vol. 28, No. 4 (1956 March) unfolded
  • Vol. 30, No. 1-4 (1957 June - 1958 March) folded
  • Vol. 31, No. 1-4 (1958 June - 1959 June) folded
  • Vol. 32, No. 1 (1959 June) folded
  • Vol. 36, No. 1, 1963 June.
  • Vol. 36, No. 2 and 3, 1963 September and December
  • Vol. 36, No. 4, 1964 March
  • Vol. 37, No. 1, 1964 June.
  • Vol. 37, No. 2 and 3, 1964 September and December.
  • Vol. 37, No. 4, 1965 March
  • Vol. 38, No. 1, 1965 June
  • Vol. 38, No. 2 and 3, 1965 September and December
  • Vol. 38, No. 4, 1966 March
  • Vol. 39, No. 1, 1966 June
  • Vol. 39, No. 2 and 3, 1966 September and December
  • Vol. 39, No. 4, 1967 March
  • Vol. 40, No. 1, 1967 June
  • Vol. 40, No. 2 and 3, 1967 September and December
  • Vol. 40, No. 4, 1968 March
  • Vol. 41, No. 1, 1968 June
  • Vol. 41, No. 2-3, 1968 September-December
  • Vol. 41, No. 4, 1969 March


Gaps in Isham Box 3 holdings, but available in Philbrick items 4-5, are:
  • Lacks Vols. 20-21 (1947 June - 1949 March)
  • Lacks Vols. 25-27 (1952 June - 1955 March)
  • Lacks Vol. 28, No. 1-3 (1955 June, Sept-Dec)
  • Lacks Vol. 29, No. 1 (1956 June - 1957 March)
  • Lacks Vol. 32, Nos. 2-3, 4 (1959 September and December, 1960 March)
  • Lacks Vols. 33-35 (1961 March - 1963 March)
See Isham Box 1 for Vols. 20-21 and Vol. 25; See Philbrick items 4-5 for all other of these gaps.

1940 June - 1969 March
Isham Shelf 5, Box 4 Athenaeum Bulletin, New Series (Vols. 47-56)
Contents Note: Complete set of unbound issues of Vols. 47-56, with the single exception of Vol. 47, No. 2 (1974 September) which is available in Philbrick item 6.

Issues in Box 4 are:
  • Vol. 47, No. 1, 1974 June. Ruth C. Ely and Louise L. Emerson bequests.
  • Vol. 47, No. 3, 1975 March. Hoots and Whatsits from Athena Owl.
  • Vol. 48, No. 1, 1975 June.
  • Vol. 48, No. 2, 1975 September.
  • Vol. 48, No. 3, 1976 March. Mayor Buddy Cianci and news of the Capital Building Campaign; Spring Film Potpourri (a series of seven 66mm films).
  • Vol. 49, No. 1, 1976 June. Autumn Film Potpourri (a series of twelve films).
  • Vol. 49, No. 2, 1976 September. Kresge awards $50,000 to Capital Building Campaign. Image of planned building addition on cover.
  • Vol. 49, No. 3, 1977 March. Restoration of 12 paintings.
  • Vol. 50, No. 1, 1977 June. A Temple for Tomes ... Athenaeum's Elephant Folio Cabinet.
  • Vol. 50, No. 2, 1977 September. President Edward O. Handy, Jr. breaks ground on new addition.
  • Vol. 50, No. 3, 1978 March. The Providence Public Library Centennial.
  • Vol. 50, No. 4, 1978 June. Biscuit porcelain honored. Hammers and drills to give way to books and folios.
  • Vol. 51, No. 1, 1979 June. Charles Philbrick Rare Book Library; 225th Annivesary celebration.
  • Vol. 52 , No. 1, [1980 June]. New addition Bulletin. Photographs by Ezra Stoller of the library renovations and a cross-section diagram of the new addition by Warren Platner Associates.
  • Vol. [53, No. 1, 1981 June]. Unnumbered and undated issue. "Cover design, Borders and decorations are from Architecture & sculpture en France, Vol. 1, L. Noe, Paris, N.D." (Back cover). Announcement of numerous staff departures.
  • Vol. 54, No. 1, [1982 June]. Undated issue. Sally Taft Duplaix named Librarian and Executive following Sylvia Moubayed's retirement after 12 years in the position.
  • Vol. 55, No. 1, [1983, June]. Undated issue. "... the Athenaeum has participated in the forthcoming Consortium of Rhode Island Academic and Research Libraries' Union List of Serials.
  • Vol. 56, No. 1, [1984, June]. Undated issue. In response to Elmer Blistein's Annual Book Committee Report, Lisle Letters and New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians were purchased through patron donations. Plans for August 1984 trip to Tanglewood.


 1974 June - 1984 June
Isham Shelf 5, Box 5 Athenaeum Bulletin, New Series (Vols. 57-66)
Contents Note: Complete set of unbound issues of Vols. 57-66. It appears no issues of the Athenaeum Bulletin was published in 1992.

Issues in Box 5 are:
  • Vol. 57, No. 1, [June, 1985]. Audubon and the Athenaeum article. Information on upcoming day trip trip to Tanglewood.
  • Vol. 58, No. 1, [June, 1986]. Caricature exhibit in the Philbrick Rare Book Library. 40 pages (6.5x10 inches), with caricature illustrations, and gray cover.
  • Vol. 59, No. 1, [June?], 1987. Ships and shipwrecks exhibit in the Philbrick Rare Book Library. 40 pages (6.5x10 inches), with ship-related illustrations, and blue cover.
  • Vol. 60, No. 1, Summer, 1988. "The subject of this year's Summer Bulletin is the period around 1838 when architect William Strickland's Providence Athenaeum was dedicated". 40 pages (6.5x10 inches), with 1838-related illustrations, and gray cover.
  • Vol. 61, No. 1, Summer, 1989. "Of fines and forgiveness" (Amnesty day). Lighthouses and maps are featured illustrations to honor the centennial of George Washington's signing of the Lighthouse Act (August 7, 1789) creating the U.S. Lighthouse Service. 44 pages (6.5x10 inches) with cream cover in heavier stock.
  • Vol. 62, No. 1, Summer, 1990. "Of fines and forgiveness" (Amnesty day), Silent book auction of signed and first editions, and artist's books. 29 pages (6.5x10 inches), with photographs of members at events, and gray cover.
  • Vol. 63, No. 1, Summer, 1991. Day-trip to "our sister library", the Portsmouth Athenaeum; Bastille Day celebratiion with Rhode Island School of Design; 8 pages (8.5x11 inches), featuring floral illustrations, with cream cover.
  • Vol. 64, No. 1, Summer, 1993. "Christmas in England" tour information. 8 pages (8.5x11 inches), with yellow cover.
  • Vol. 65, No. 1, Summer, 1994. 8 pages (8.5x11 inches), with purple cover.
  • Vol. 66, No. 1, [Summer], 1995. "The Ath" poem by Charles Sullivan; Getty Foundation conservation grant for Birds of America; Athenaeum Newsletter will be published bi-monthly starting Fall 1995. 8 pages (8.5x11 inches), with yellow cover.


 1985 June - 1995 Summer