The Charleston Library Society
164 King Street
Charleston, South Carolina  29401
843-723-9912

The Library is open six days a week: Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to
5:30 p.m., and Saturday, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  Closed during holidays and
hurricanes.  Before planning travel to any research facility, call to confirm
they will be open during the time you plan to visit.  The open hours shown here
are subject to change without notice.

The Charleston Library Society, the third oldest library in the United States,
was founded in 1748 by seventeen young gentlemen of various trades and
professions, who wished to avail themselves of the latest publications from
Great Britain. One of their stated aims was to establish a school so "their
children would not grow up as savages." This aim was realized with the founding
of the College of Charleston in 1785.

In 1773 the accumulation of natural history artifacts by the Society provided
the nucleus of the oldest museum in America, the Charleston Museum.

During the war years of 1861-1865, part of the collection was sent to the S.C.
state capitol for safe keeping. When this was returned to the lowcountry, the
Apprentice's Library, in need of a building, was merged with the Charleston
Library Society. An interesting regulation resulting from that merger is still
in effect. It provides that each adult member may give a free minor membership
to any person under twenty-one years of age.

In 1900 the famous South Carolina Jockey Club was disbanded and the funds from
the sale of the Washington Race Course were turned over to the Society. The
present book fund is still designated - The Jockey Club Fund.

The Library was kept in the homes of the elected librarians until 1792 when it
was housed on the upper floor of the Statehouse. In 1835 the building at the
corner of Church & Broad Street was purchased and the Society occupied it for
seventy-nine years. "Brick" memberships were sold for this purchase and several
Charleston families still hold and use these memberships. The present building
was built and occupied in 1914.

The library is a full service library and serves researchers from all over the
world in person and by correspondence, utilizing the noteworthy collections of
Ross, Hinson, Legare, Courtenay, Frost, Timrod, etc. These collections include
rare books, periodicals, manuscripts, clippings, maps, directories, and almanacs
dealing with Caroliniana, Charlestoniana and the South. One of the most used
sources are the original newspapers beginning in 1732.

Membership subscriptions are available for an annual fee.  The Charleston
Library Society is a subscription library and receives no tax support. 
Memberships are billed annually according to the month joined.

Rates in 1998 Membership Pamphlet.

College Membership - Free.
College of Charleston faculty have full membership rights.

Minor Juvenile Membership - $3/year.
One free minor membership (good until age 21) is included with each adult
membership.  Additional minor memberships are good until age 18.

Junior Juvenile Membership - $10/year.
Junior Memberships are available for those under age 18 whose parents are not
members.

Student Membership - $15/year.
Any college student with a valid ID (no age restriction).  College of Charleston
students have free research privileges but must have a student or adult
membership to check out books.

Adult Membership - $35/year.
These are family memberships and include one free minor membership each.

Group Membership - $50/year.
Organizations may purchase group memberships.  Employees who will be using the
membership should be designated.  Privileges are the same as those for the adult
membership.

Research Membership - $3/day, $10/two weeks, $15/month.

Sustaining Membership - $250/year.

Life Memberships - $500/life.
Same privileges as adult memberships.

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