Athenaeum Music & Arts Library

Night owls 41 flavors events! Music and arts! Dj by song struck! Excellent time!
Music and art library hosts events periodically, with local bands, local artists, dj’s, juried art exhibition. 82 local artists. Raffles, prizes, drinks, delicious food! Great atmosphere!

Excellent little gem.
I wandered in here sometime ago and it was just lovely. Interesting well curated selection and very intimate in the heart of the city.
I’m a fan of libraries in general and I love that anyone can just come in here. Usually this kind of library kind of kicks you out or doesn’t let you in unless you donate money or do something odd.
Not so in La Jolla!
I’ve recently moved to the East Coast and they have tons of libraries, few as beautiful as this one, but most of them expect you to pay or become a member even to just come in a look. It’s a crime!
I’ve yet to see an event here but I’ve been back a few times to look for certain art books and see the exhibits since they change rather frequently.
I’d give it a 5 star but it didn’t knock-​my-​socks off. It’s just adorable and pleasant and always changing!

This is a wonderful arts library that also offers art classes and has a variety of events such as music concerts and new art exhibits as well by local artists. They have a very lively calendar of events here that changes often.

I was exploring La Jolla as a tourist. I like art and music, but have very little interest in books. So a library probably isn’t the best place for me to visit. But, I didn’t know what to expect here with so many different comments on Unilocal about private functions, concerts, historic house, music library, CD’s on loan, and art. It might be all of those things, but just wandering off the streets, it was mainly a place to view art in a classy old building.
It only took 15 minutes to see the entire place, but it was free and conveniently located in the busy part of La Jolla. As an added bonus, a skilled violinist was practicing in the rotunda during our visit.

Great building, beautiful space, fantastic books, compelling artwork, fun events with high-​energy music and dancing… All good things.

This gracious Spanish Renaissance-​style building was dedicated and opened to the public in 1921, and is noted for its striking rotunda.
The Athenaeum has taken on an increasingly active role in the cultural life of San Diego. The library has added a large number of year-​round events and programs, including art exhibitions.
The exhibit I experienced was an art class that artisans received leaves of old, most likely worn out books and drew on them. Often the artist would correlate his vision with the written word on the page.
In the Joan & Irwin Jacobs Music Room, I experienced volumes of Johann Sebastian Bach’s thematic-​systematic catalogue of musical works. The publications are very cool.
All of the walls, floors and furniture have been restored to their full beauty and elegance.

This place is awesome, I give it 6 stars but it’s far from my house…
Now head to La Jolla, check it out, sign up and support the local arts…

I came here once for a late night gathering of urban professionals who «respect the arts» and couldn’t have been more impressed. This is a beautiful space, would make a great reception for a smaller wedding.
Great place to bring your pretentious friends, as they have some modern art that would certainly impress.

Free. Beautiful. Get off Unilocal and give it a visit.

This place is amazing! We hold an annual small event here and the staff is nothing, but gracious to allow our event to be succssful in their space. You can get lost reading titles; can you imagine what happens when you pull out a piece to look over? This is a sweet spot in La Jolla and an easy walk to good food treats. Take a look next time you’re in the neighborhood.

This is such a gem of a place — a music and arts library described as a ‘cultural institution.’ Such a quiet, beautiful place to relax, sip on tea, look at some art, and to read. The parking situation was great. I went here for the architecture and design — there is a beautiful Spanish Renaissance-​style rotunda reading room designed by renowned architect William Templeton Johnson in 1921. The reading room ceilings with wooden planks are very pretty, and the rugs are a nice touch.

This place is simply inspirational! I love art, and this small privately owned library encompasses books of every type of artistic medium you can think of. From history, to culture, to music, you name it!
I discovered this library with my best friend as we were taking an afternoon stroll through La Jolla. And now everytime we’re in the area we always stop by this library.
Now you can call me a nerd for loving a library so much, but this place has style. They not only hold books, but they also display different collections of fine art exhibitions. They host events such as music concerts and festivals, but I have yet to attend an event.
The annual membership at the library is also around $ 40 which isn’t bad especially if you want to take home some material and brush up on your artistic knowledge.

Lovely music library filled with sheet music for any type of instrument.

I was beside myself when I stepped into the Anthenaeum for the first time. I think I gasped out loud… it’s absolutely amazing. Overwhelming even… plan on spending a LOT of time there if you have any interest in books, music, art, history, or libraries!
I haven’t attended any of their events, so this review is just for the library itself:
They have an incredible collection focused on arts and music. Everything you can think of… one of my favorite discoveries was this old cabinet that looked like a card catalog system, but the faces of the drawers actually pulled down and inside was sheet music! Of every composer you can think of, spanning the ages. Oh, and the record collection! Holy schnikes. This review would be the longest review ever on Unilocal if I told you everything i loved about it… just go.
You have to be a member to check anything out, but it is very worth hanging around there to enjoy their wares. They also have a sale section in the back where you can buy awesome books for pretty cheap. I scored a book on the Art of the Louvre from the 50’s for $ 1!
This is a true gem and we are so lucky to have it in our vicinity. When you go, make an afternoon out of expanding your horizons and go check out the Morrison Hotel gallery (rock-​n-​roll photography!) just a little ways away. This is the stuff that makes me love La Jolla :)

I am in love
In love with a library
I don’t know if Prop 8 will cover this but let’s hope the courts will recognize this needed union.
One of only 16 nonprofit membership libraries in the United States and one of two west of the Mississippi and it’s over 110 years old.
Really?
Yes.
If you have a working brain and want to keep it in tip top shape, head straight there an invest your time in the fine arts…
If your brain is thirsty for knowledge, drink at the fountain of music, arts and calming surroundings…
This will improve your life and most definitely make your brain bigger…
Make sure to keep this a secret as Zombies are sure to find out and stop at your house for a big meal.
I haven’t had the chance to go to a concert or artist series as yet but LOVE the books and the incredible selection of topics…
I drool over their section of sheet music and opera librettos
I love reading the score to my favorite classical piece and listening along…
Best Part:
Open and Free to the Public to enjoy but only members may take books out. PLUS, it’s beautiful… inside and out.
When you do become a member you are allowed to take out at any given time…
5 Books
5 Magazines
5 Record Albums
5 Music Scores
5 CDs
5 DVDs
5 Videos
CDs, DVDs and Videos Circulate for two weeks all other material for four weeks! $.50 for each item that is overdue.
An individual member is $ 40
A family membership (meaning spouse and kids) for the entire year is $ 50
And a $ 75 «A– List» Membership gives all the perks of a membership and entitles you to two invites to all their «A-​List» Events.
Open Tuesday-​Saturday 10 – 5:30
Open Late till 8:30 on Wednesday
Closed Sundays, Mondays and Holidays
Now I just have to pick out our wedding bands…

I always walk by the Atheneum and think how, some day, when I’m sophisticated, I would like to go in there.
Well, I never did get sophisticated, but my friend snapped up a pair of tickets to «Flix on Bricks» — so last night we sat on the patio of the Atheneum sipping Bellinis and watching Roman Holiday in the summer air.
Walking through the beautiful building, it’s a library for art and music lovers alike. I had always eyed the catalog, but after the quality of last night’s event, I’m hoping to attend more events here.
So yeah, I’ll be getting a membership, and then I will promptly proceed to brag about it. Sophisticated is as sophisticated pays for.

Next time you are wiling away a day in La Jolla, be sure to stop into the Athenaeum. This music and arts library has been around for over 100 years. The Athenaeum’s specialties are art and music. There is a huge selection of music CD, sheet music, and books on art and music to check out to members. But the library itself is open to the public, and anyone is welcome to browse the selections for a minutes or an afternoon. I highly recommend spending some time in the space. There is a gallery that hosts several art exhibits each year, specializing in artists from Southern California and Baja Mexico.
Their collection of art also has a specialty: Artist Books. This relatively new art form really only came into critics sight in the 1970s. But San Diego is a hub of activity for book artists, and the Athenaeum is one reason. They have a permanent collection of artist books, and they have an exhibit of artist books that is simultaneously on display with the larger art gallery.
Throughout the library there are little nooks and each corner seems to hold a surprise discovery. Whether you wander into the art gallery, happen upon the artist books, or discover the children’s art books collection, the athenaeum is a delightful place to explore. In the heart of La Jolla, on the corner of Wall St and Girard St, it is a historical delight that is not to be missed.
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I have had the pleasure to work with A-​list on an event in 2008. Not only have I worked with the Athenaeum I’m also a member. It’s wonderful to see and meet the great people who keep art, music, and literature fresh and valued. From the volunteers to the staff everyone is very knowledgeable, has a true passion for what they do and is more then happy to show you what the Athenaeum has to offer.
The A-​list events are great to meet a wide variety of great people. Every time I have gone I meet someone new that I’m glad I met.
I recommend everyone go to at least one of the Athenaeums A-​list events.

I swooped into the Athenaeum for the first time last night for their regular urbanite gathering, The A-​List. It’s a mixer geared towards young professionals and attracts all sorts of good looking people with fancy job titles and notable credit card debt. It was actually a pretty fun event, complete with complimentary Karl Strauss beer, food from Jai (the Wolfgang Puck restaurant in UTC) and the musical stylings of local band Silent Comedy.
Though a fun and well-​organized event, The A-​List isn’t necessarily an accurate depiction of what Athenaeum does on a daily basis. It’s a 109 year-​old library on Wall Street that focuses intently on music and arts literature. The facility is absolutely stunning, and from the moment I stepped foot through the front door, it was my new favorite library. Everything from the historic and ornate fixtures, to the unparalleled comfort of the reading area, Athenaeum really brings the library game to the next level.
It’s not exactly a public library, but becoming a member isn’t a bad investment. It’s only $ 40 for a yearlong membership, and it entitles you to take home any of their vast collection of art and music literature, CDs and DVDs as well access to their art and music lectures they organize a few times per month. Apparently, this is one of 17 private libraries located throughout the United States, and most of them are on the east coast.
You might be thinking, ‘La Jolla art library – boring!’ Not so much… They have modern art collections from the likes of Shepard Fairey, Banksy and Neck Face. Good stuff!
In addition to the A-​List event, they have hip art gallery openings on a regular basis and they let anyone come inside to read newspapers on the weekends. Grab some java at the Coffee Cup up the street, snatch the New York Times, and settle down for a couple of hours in the quaint reading area. I promise, you’ll find no more glorious way to kick-​start a lazy Sunday morning.

This is a very rare find. I had no idea what a private library was and how few existed until I attended one of the «A-​List members only parties.» Not that this is some sort of elitist thing at all. The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library survives by it’s members and donors. If you’re looking for something interesting to do, attend an A-​List event. Drop in is $ 10. I’ve seen everything from karaōke to live electronic music and all shades in between. Artists are always a part of the mix, and I’m still bummed I missed Jim Lee when he stopped in!
Besides the A-​List, becoming a member of the Library and having access to it’s collection is real treat. The concert series is geared towards an «older» crowd, but they often have lunch time concerts which is a nice way to spend your hour away from the office.