Charitable Library Society (Concord, Mass.)

Society formed May 25, 1795, in Concord, Mass., "for the promotion of useful knowledge" and the encouragement of virtue. Established under the name Charitable Society in Concord; by 1801, referred to in the records as Charitable Library Society in Concord. Similar to a subscription library (that is, a library the members of which pay dues entitling them to use the library collection), but with an added, constitutionally-stated benevolent function. The Society provided books from its collection to non-member citizens of Concord as well as to members.

(Cont.) It survived largely through voluntary contributions of money and books by its membership. The Rev. Ezra Ripley served repeatedly as an officer of the Society; the constitution and some of the records are in his hand. Membership also included Jonathan Fay, Isaac Hurd, John White, Joseph Hunt, Reuben Brown (Sr. and Jr.), Jonas Minot, Ephraim Wood, Tilly Merrick, Francis Jarvis, Abiel Heywood, Samuel Hoar, Jr., and Moses Prichard, among others. (Although not listed as members, women are recorded as donating books to and being lent books by the Society.).

(Cont.) In 1821, the membership and book collection of the Society were absorbed into the newly-established Concord Social Library.

From the description of Charitable Library Society records, 1795-1821. (Concord Public Library). WorldCat record id: 35778401