Become a Member

Welcome to the Newtown Library Company! We hope you will consider becoming a member.

The Newtown Library Company is, and has always been a subscription library. Our charter of 1789 defines us as a private library with a fee to be a member and annual dues. Two public reading rooms are maintained where anyone may freely enjoy the many resources of Newtown’s unique educational institution. Our library is run by one librarian and a team of dedicated volunteers and board members. The membership and generosity of our patrons is what keeps this historic library running.

Anyone wishing to join the library may do so. Although we are not part of the county library system, we strive to provide our members with the most current best-sellers as well as programs for all ages.

Newtown Library Company membership should be renewed on November 1st of each year.

Purchase or renew a membership

new membership form

Membership renewal form

Summer membership form

STANDARD MEMBERSHIP* (Nov. 1 through Jun. 14)

Individual: $20
Family: $25
Senior (age 65+) $10 per person

*New members pay a one-time fee of $1.00 to become a voting shareholder in the Newtown Library Company.
** Memberships beginning on June 15 through August 31 will be $10 for any level.
*** Memberships beginning on September 1 through October 31 will be the full fee, expiring October 31 of the following year.

CONTRIBUTING MEMBERSHIP

Contributions beyond the standard membership fee may be tax deductible.

Many wonderful people have contributed to the Newtown Library Company in the last 255 years. Some contributed time and effort to sustain the organization; others, directly or indirectly, increased the value of the library.

PENN – double your membership dues

William Penn, although he died 32 years before we were founded, had a set of six dining room chairs, three of which found their way to the Newtown Library Company.

HICKS – $51 – $249

Isaac Hicks helped the library by giving it land on Court Street in back of the White Hall to build the first library building. His son, Edward Hicks, painted the library sign for the sum of $1.00.

BARNSLEY – $250 – $499

In 1911, Joseph Barnsley gave us the land and built the current library building. The Barnsley Reading Rooms honor his commitment to our library.

CORNELL – $500 – $999

Luise Cornell was the first person to endow the library with a large bequest.

FITZGERALD – $1000 and up

Dorothy Fitzgerald, was our official librarian for over 25 years. At her passing, she also endowed the library with a portion of her estate.