The Bibliographical Society of America (BSA) is the oldest learned society

Learned society

A learned society is an organization that exists to promote an academic discipline/profession, as well a group of disciplines. Membership may be open to all, may require possession of some qualification, or may be an honor conferred by election, as is the case with the oldest learned societies,...

 in North America

North America

North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...

 that studies books and manuscripts as physical objects. Established in 1904, the society promotes bibliographical

Bibliography

Bibliography , as a practice, is the academic study of books as physical, cultural objects; in this sense, it is also known as bibliology...

 research and issues bibliographical publications. Its activities include an annual meeting held in New York City

New York City

New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...

in January, lectures, and fellowship and award programs.

In addition to publishing books, the society publishes the quarterly Papers of the Bibliographical Society of America. The first issue of what was then called The Bulletin of the Bibliographical Society of America was published in May 1907.

Membership is open to anyone with an interest in bibliography, including bibliographers, collectors, librarians, professors, and students.