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Membership Information
PHONE: (415) 393-0105
OFFICE HOURS:
Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Membership in the Mechanics' Institute is open to all.  Each category of membership offers the full services of the Library and Chess Room, special events, lectures, programs and classes.

Membership fees: The annual membership fees paid by each regular member covers about twenty percent total operating costs. Rental income generated from upper floors of 57 Post Street building plus endowment income and member donations are other funding sources. Membership totals some 5,000 individuals.
Categories:  Individual, family, student, and life categories are available. Supporting membership includes associate, patron, and benefactor categories. The membership application outlines the charges for each category. Gift certificates are available.
One-day and one-week passes are also available to non-members to utilize Library services.
Contact information:  Please call (415) 393-0105, visit Suite 504, or email the Membership Office for new member or renewal information, changes in member contact information, or inquiries regarding the subscription list (see below).

Bi-monthly Calendar and monthly Library newsletter:
Subscribe to the Mechanics' Institute listserv and receive regularly free of charge the Institute's Calendar of library, chess and speaker events, as well as The Stereopticon, listing new acquisitions to the Library collections plus staff written articles. Alternatively, members may receive by regular mail a print version of either publication ($5.00 annual charge per publication).  Please note on member application form.

Weekly tour and office hours:   Prospective member are welcome to attend the weekly Library tour, starting at noon each Wednesday on the 3rd floor next to the Reference Desk. It is conducted by Library staff in rotation. The tour is a great opportunity to ask questions about the collections, services and programs offered.
If mid-week not a convenient time to visit the Institute, prospective members may drop by the 3rd floor weekdays between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm for a self-guided tour.
Application form:  Prospective members may complete a membership application.  After the form is filled out, print it out, and return it in person or by mail to the Membership Office or to the 2nd floor Circulation Desk.  Prospective members may request copies of the Institute's brochure by emailing  membership@milibrary.org.  
                     
                                                                  Revised:  April, 2008