They were created to provide both a quiet place for reading, study and prayer and a means for the public to come into contact with Christian Science.
Jointly-maintained reading rooms (operated jointly by several Christian Science churches) operate in a number of locations, for example a jointly maintained room in John Street, New York City, is maintained by the Christian Science branch churches of New York, Connecticut and New Jersey.
[5] Reading Rooms may hold events, such as bible study groups, and may offer resources to help homeless populations in their city.
A book by Kristin Hahn speaks of "Breezing by the Christian Science Reading Rooms prominently centered on main streets all across America.
"[8] A fictional cop in a novel by Peter Plate steers a patrol car "past Siegal's Tuxedo Shop, Queen's Shoes, Discoteca Latina, The Eggroll Express, The Christian Science Reading Room, and Duc Loi's Meat and Fish Company.