The Social Library of Beverly was formed on March 12, 1802, when a number of people interested in taking shares in a proprietary library met in Beverly, Massachusetts. Nathan Dane, a prominent Beverly resident, was chosen moderator of the meeting. Dane and four other people – Joseph McKeen, Joshua Young, Dr. Joshua Fisher, and Thomas Davis – were chosen to form a committee with the power to select and purchase books. One dollar as levied on each share to finance these purchases. The share assessment was increased to $5.00 at a meeting on April 9, 1802 and 132 shares were distributed among 72 subscribers.

The town allowed the library to use the spare room on the lower floor of the town house, next to the grammar school room, and Silas Stickney, the teacher of the grammar school, was chosen librarian and collector in 1804. Teachers apparently often served as the librarian, due to the juxtaposition of the library and school. Robert Rantoul became treasurer and clerk in 1807 and served in that capacity until 1836 (most of the treasurer's book is in his hand), but other prominent Beverly residents were involved as well. At each annual meeting, officers were elected, assessments were levied, and other business matters transacted.

By 1843, the library held one thousand volumes and there were more than one hundred shareholders, but interest began to decline toward the end of the decade, particularly as Beverly moved toward opening a town public library. On October 6, 1855, the proprietors voted to give their books to the town library after all debts had been paid, and the Social Library of Beverly ceased to exist.