New York State Library 82nd Annual Report,1899, Transmitted to the Legislature January 3, 1900 by the Regents of the University. Published: 1901, 555pp
Fireproof safe.
The capitol walls are so massive that we have no fear of fire except as it might burn out individual rooms finished in wood. Hundreds of thousands of feet of oak have been used in shelving and interior finish, and in spite of careful installation of electric wires, we can not avoid the fear that some day this woodwork in some room will be accidentally set on fire and priceless material destroyed. The scientific explanation of how the fire occurred may be perfect, but the fact that rats or mice gnawed off insulation or that workmen accidentally broke it with their saws (as has happened a score of times in the past dozen years) might tell how it happened, but would not replace our lost treasures. Till we have a fireproof building, free from this danger, we must take the chances with ordinary books; but we have various treasures so costly that their destruction would cause serious criticism of the regents as trustees for not insisting on better protection than is now available, e. g. an autograph collector recently declared that our autographs of the signers of the declaration of independence were worth $20,000, In our manuscript room are collections which have cost the state vast sums and which money could not replace, yet there is no place to keep them except a room honeycombed with oak and interlaced with electric wires.
There are two solutions for adequate protection till the new building is ready : we may buy a large iron safe for the smallest and most costly collections; or better, take some small room, possibly in the basement if dampness can be thoroughly protected against (as it could be by making double walls with ventilation) and make a room strictly fireproof, without electric wires and large enough to hold all the rarities. A basement room would practically shut them off from public inspection, though they could be reached for occasional use. In the northwest pavilion it would be possible to make at comparatively small cost a fireproof room with ample daylight, open to visitors and yet safe from fire. From year to year other pressing needs have led us to defer this request, but we ought not to go longer without a large fireproof safe or fire-proof room. For lack of it we are liable to lose valuable gifts that would be put in our custody except for fear of fire.
Care of rooms.
During Gov. Flower's administration attention was called to the frequent losses in the state library and the subject was carefully considered by the superintendent of public buildings, representatives of the regents and the governor. It was found that the peculiar character of a great library was recognized the world over in unusual safeguards. In colleges and universities, where many janitors and cleaners have access to all ordinary rooms, it is customary to set apart the library as distinct, with locks to which there are few keys and none in the hands of the ordinary janitorial force. In other words, the library in its nature is a great safe for storing many things of large pecuniary value, which could be easily removed if the rooms were treated like other parts of the buildings. The superintendent declared it impossible for him or any one in his position with a great force constantly changing, many of the men coming from a distance and little known, to afford proper protection to the great collections of the library. Examination of cost by both systems made it clear that it would be economy to separate the library from the rest of the building and put its janitors under direct charge of the regents, who were responsible, as trustees, for safety of its property. As the rooms were so connected that it was impracticable to lock off the regents office, and as the regents examinations themselves required extreme vigilance, these were included with those transferred from the superintendent.
Experience has confirmed the wisdom of the action. At less cost we have secured better results and there has been marked improvement since access to the library has been so closely limited. The old locks were removed and at present there are only four keys, one for the head janitor, one for the night watchman, one carefully locked in the building for emergencies and one held by the director. Not even the senior librarians have a key to the rooms as either the janitor, night watchman or one of the staff is on duty and responsible for every person who passes the doors at any hour. Without this absolute control of the rooms, it would be simply impossible to afford proper protection to the many costly books in our great collection. Under the old system, losses were not due to lack of interest on the part of persons who had keys but to lack of appreciation of the dangers. Some visitor to gratify a laudable curiosity would ask to have the doors unlocked and to be admitted for a few minutes to see the library. Both visitor and janitor were perfectly trustworthy, but through the door thus opened sneak thieves, who have caused so much trouble in this building, would slip in and secreting themselves in alcoves or small rooms would have opportunity for petty thefts. Fortunately we had no very large losses, but the new system relieves most of this difficulty.
As we review the year we find that we are sharing the experience of all active great libraries. Each year we feel the pressure both for more room, a larger staff to meet the reasonable demands made on us, and for more books, because more books are printed than ever before and people insist as never before on having what they wish and need and will not be put off with some substitute printed perhaps years before the book they really want to see. Experience has proved that it pays to assist readers in a way not thought of a generation ago and the patrons of the state library naturally demand such assistance. All this adds to necessary expenses ; but, on the other hand, the extent and spirit of the service given calls out warm public appreciation of the large practical returns from taxpayers' money wisely and economically expended on what is becoming more truly each year the real people's university.
Respectfully submitted
Melvil Dewey
Director
REPORT OF DIRECTOR 1899
To the Regents of the University of the State of New York
I report as follows for the state library for the year ending Sep. 30, 1899.
For convenience in comparing reports for various years, a regular outline is followed and comments are grouped under the heads shown in the table of contents. Following the custom of previous years the report of the library school is bound with the state library report because its work is largely done by the library staff and is so closely related to the library. A full account of the other work of the home education department is given in its separate report. Home education statistics are not included in the state library report unless specified.
STAFF AND EMPLOYEES
A summary of staff changes is given in table Y, p. 88 followed by the annual list of vacancies. For convenience the staff list by departments has been transferred to table Z to bring it next the index where it can be most easily consulted.
G. B. Howell. The following is extracted from the regents minutes :
George Rogers Howell, archivist of the New York State library, died suddenly of pneumonia on April 5. Mr. Howell was born In Southampton L. I. in 1833. He was graduated from Yale in 1854, from Princeton Theological Seminary In 1864, and engaged in ministerial work in western New York. In 1872 he entered the service of the New York state library, and served that institution faithfully for 27 years. He was author of several historical pamphlets and published a number of papers in the transactions of the Albany institute, of which he was secretary for many years. He wrote also Early history of Southampton L. I., with genealogies, Bi-centennial history of Albany, written In conjunction with Jonathan Tenney, and Noah's Log Book, a novel. Mr Howell will
be much missed by investigators in genealogy and local history who frequent the state library.
Voted, That a minute be made on the records and transmitted to his family with an expression at sympathy and of the appreciation by the regents of his long service.
Voted, That the duties of the state archivist be assigned to members of the state library staff who have had experience In this department.
Under this vote C, A. Flagg was made sublibrarian in history and A. J. F. van Laer sublibrarian of manuscripts.
Mr. Howell's funeral was held in the Second Presbyterian Church, Albany, Friday, April 7, at 10 a. m. The staff, on which Mr. Howell had served for 27 years, occupied seats specially reserved, only the few of his associates being absent who were necessarily on duty at the library.
Salaries. Table U, p. 87 shows the average annual salaries in the state library, home education department, bindery and building department from 1895 to date. Tor convenience of reference and comparison and to simplify bookkeeping and auditing, the wages of laborers, porters and binders heretofore paid by the week were last year all paid by the month with the usual salary check.
To guard against embarrassment in cases where weekly payments had been relied on for current expenses, I offered to advance to any of the staff affected, such money as was needed, to be repaid at the end of the month. The calls for this accommodation were so few as to indicate that the new system will be entirely satisfactory when once it is understood and fairly in operation.
MANUSCRIPT DIVISION
Established 19 April 1881
Archivist. After the death of Mr. Howell so long state library archivist (see p. 5) A. J. F. van Laer, a native of Holland and a graduate of the Polytechnic school at Delft, and a member of the New York state library school class of 1899, was put in charge of the manuscript division. Mr van Laer brings to his work a rare combination of linguistic ability, professional training, accuracy and enthusiasm which will render his services of great value in deciphering the rich collection of Dutch manuscripts, etc. intrusted to his care.
Inventory. An inventory of the records in the manuscript division taken when Mr van Laer entered on his official duties showed that all the volumes called for by the shelf list were on the shelves with the exception of "Commissions, v, 3 ", reported by Mr. Howell as missing since the spring of 1896. Two important collections, not recorded on the shelf list but known to have been procured for the library, namely the 2500 loose papers containing the originals of many letters in the "D. D. Tompkins papers" and a collection of some 900 manuscripts of revolutionary' and post-revolutionary times, formerly in the possession of Mr. Peter Van Gaasbeek of Kingston and acquired in 1886 at a cost of $125, are at present missing but are probably in boxes in one of the storerooms of the capitol. On the other hand a large number of volumes were found of which no record existed and as far as possible these have been entered in the shelf list and the catalogue of manuscripts. The former author and alphabetic subject categories have been thrown into one alphabet and 136 cards, found to duplicate others, have been taken out 387 new cards have been added.
Among the volumes not heretofore catalogued is a file of 52 thin folio books containing lists of certificates issued by state agents for provisions for the revolutionary army; paybooks for services performed on fortifications on Governor's and Bedloe's islands in 1794; copy of assessment rolls of Dutchess co. pursuant to an act of 1786 ; list of bills of credit and certificates canceled in 1789 ; book of receipts for interest on loan office certificates with signatures of persons to whom the interest was paid, and a variety of other accounts. In the same file were found an index to v. 1 of "Certificates of treasurer " and also a general index of officers. With the exception of v. 5 every one of the 10 volumes of "Certificates of treasurer" is now provided with an index. A volume marked 11, erroneously given as part of the set in State library bulletin; history no. 3, p. 224*, is an alphabetic list of
names, apparently of pensioners.
Some bundles of loose sheets containing the original drafts of council minutes, 1754—73 and a series of 59 thin folio volumes of rough copies of council minutes, 1709-76, were compared with the bound volumes of engrossed "Council minutes" and arranged in the order of the latter. Occasional references in the rough copies to entries of a previous date in the engrossed minutes show that the latter were kept regularly as the rough copies proceeded, yet the following minutes were noticed in the rough copies which are not in the engrossed minutes : Legislative minutes, 31 Aug.— 13 Sep, 1728, printed in Journal of the legislative council. Alb. 1861, 1 :571-79, showing that E. B. O'Callaghan had access to the rough copies; also, minutes of the eastern boundary committee, 14 July-16 Nov. 1753 and council minutes of 4, 23, 26 Dec. 1775, 29 Jan. and 14 Feb. 1776.
An inspection of the closets in the manuscript room brought to light a large number of manuscript and printed maps, not recorded in any of the existing catalogues. As frequent inquiries are made for original maps of surveys an index of the above maps was begun at once. This index is to be completed gradually by references to maps in the bound volumes of manuscripts. An index has also been made to the contents of packages of miscellaneous papers found in the same closets. These papers ought at some future date to be permanently arranged, but for the present it was thought wiser not to disturb the original order in which they were found.
Reference work. The regular work of the division consisted of the correspondence connected with historical and genealogical inquiries, the preparation of copies of marriage bonds, census returns and other documents, a few translations from the Dutch, Spanish and Italian and some 50 certificates of service of soldiers in the revolutionary war.
To reduce as much as possible the time involved in making out the above certificates of service, the following blank has been printed, which if not suitable in all cases, is at least convenient for the preparation of rough drafts to be typewritten,
[Blank]
This is to certify that on page ... of a manuscript volume entitled
In the custody of the regents of the University of the State of New York, in the state library, the name of ia
recorded, under date of as a In company, belonging to the ... regiment of commanded by
and that the above record shows that the said performed active service in the war.
In testimony whereof, the seal of the University of the State of New York has been affixed at the city of Albany, this day of
Personal inquirers have as far as possible been allowed to work in the manuscript room ; exchanges of information, personal contact with students, and the learning of their needs being considered a sufficient gain to outweigh the discomfort and disturbance arising from the narrowness of the present quarters. The carrying back and forth of the very heavy volumes is in this way largely avoided and greater safety insured, as there is less danger that volumes will not be returned to their shelves at the close of office hours.
Inquiries about the "Henry Stevens papers" have come in from time to time, to which no satisfactory answers could be returned for the lack of a proper arrangement of these papers. The fact that this important collection is still practically inaccessible causes not only disappointment to the investigator but casts also a reflection on the library. It is therefore recommended, that during the coming year, the sorting, binding and calendaring of these papers be taken in hand.
Calendars and indexes. It is further believed that under present conditions no better service could be rendered to historical students than to print as soon as possible the calendars prepared by Mr Berthold Fernow for the following records :
Court of assize, v.2, 1665-72
Council minutes, v. 3, 1668-78
General entries, v.4, 1671-74
Council minutes, v.5-31, 1683-1776
General entries, v.32, 1678-80
Entries, v.33, 1632-83
Orders, warrants, letters, v.2, 1665-69
Warrants, orders, passes, etc. v,3, 1674-79
Passbook, v.4, 1680-91 (incomplete)
Licenses, warrants, etc v.5, 1686-1702
Orders, warrants, etc. 1680-82
Of other calendars now available in manuscript the most important is that of the "Sir William Johnson's mss" 26 v. 1738-90.
This calendar, prepared for v, 1-11 by D, J. Pratt and v. 12-36 by H. A. Homes, is bound in one volume and would probably have to be copied for the printer.
The calendars of v. 1-47 of the "George Clinton papers", prepared for v. 1-23 by Orville Holley, v. 24-34 by G. W. Clinton,
v. 35-38 by G. E. Howell, v. 39 by P. F. Cooper and v. 40-47 by G. E. Howell are very brief and, since the documents themselves are in course of publication, not of sufficient importance to warrant a complete revision.
An index to v. 1-23 of the "George Clinton papers", prepared by George W, Clinton and consisting of 1898 separate sheets was found in two bundles and has recently been arranged for use. This index, which is very carefully made and aims to give every name signed to or incidentally mentioned in the documents, has rendered already valuable service in the work of the division and would well repay making a typewritten copy. As the references are not to pages but to the number of the document, it could also be printed and used in connection with the volumes of Public papers of George Clinton now published by the state. For v. 24 of the "George Clinton papers" an index on slips was prepared by P. E. Cooper.
HISTORY DIVISION
Established 1898
During 1899 more books were added and the expenditure for serials was larger than ever before.
New reading room. The arrangement of our new reading room on the fifth floor has called forth the full appreciation of the genealogic public. Here the family histories and allied works are shelved round the walls of a large room, with tables and chairs conveniently placed, and with the large allied subject of local history in 55A, the adjoining room. For convenience of users there have also been removed to this department from the main periodical room about 70 current serials on genealogy and local history, which are shelved in pamphlet cases on the south wall; and here also is shelved our important collection on American hereditary and patriotic societies, removed from its class order in 369.1. We are gradually accumulating here a small reference library of works constantly used in the history division, though classed elsewhere,
In a conspicuous place is posted a typewritten list of the most used genealogic books, which are retained for reference and not allowed to circulate. While assistance to genealogic searchers has made by far the greatest demands on this division, the convenience of having our general history collection conveniently accessible has been appreciated by other classes of students,
Our distance from the library catalogue in 35 is a source of inconvenience, minimized however by our house telephone and the minute classification of most of the books. The greatest trouble has been found in 073, United States history, which, till the classification is completed, is arranged on the shelves alphabetically by authors.
Current work. The transfer of the preparation of certificates of revolutionary service and correspondence connected therewith to the manuscript division to which they properly belong, leaves more time for other necessary work. Those living at a distance are availing themselves to a considerable extent of our offer of paid help in family research, and this branch of the work has been turned over to Mr Herbert McKnight. By him also the large accumulations of unclassified pamphlets stored in the library are being rapidly classified and made available for use, while, in the absence of pages in this department, the convenience of having two men available for reference work can hardly be overestimated.
All accessions on historical subjects, including biography and travel are now turned over to this division for classification. Periodicals are constantly examined for new publications, which are obtained if possible as gifts or recommended for buying. Since the appearance of the revised Decimal classification with its full treatment of United States history, the work of classifying and cataloguing this section is being rapidly pushed forward.
Publications. As soon as other work permits we expect to print a bulletin of genealogy, a large part of which was typewritten a year ago. In this subject the New York state library has one of the best collections in the country, so the publication will be an important addition to bibliography. A printed catalogue of our collection of American local history is also contemplated. A full bibliography of New York local history, including not only books but articles in periodicals and other publications should he issued; as it is work -specially- in the state library's province and would utilize bibliographic labor already performed.
The new sublibrarian, Mr. Charles A. Flagg B. A. (Bowdoin) a graduate of the New York library school, has by the year's work more than justified his selection as the head of the history division.
CAPITOL LIBRARY
Established 14 December 1892
Growth. 447 books were added last year. In order to keep the collection within the limits of the shelves assigned it in the main reading room, where free access is allowed, it is necessary from time to time to transfer to the state shelves books which have proved of less interest, or in which the interest has passed. This accounts for the fact that the collection does not greatly increase, and sometimes lessens, in spite of constant additions of fresh books. As noted on p. 38, the children's books have been transferred to a separate room.
Use. 200 borrowers were added to the capitol library register, making a total of 1340 from the beginning, of whom 575 have drawn books this year. Of these 51 are temporary state employees, who borrow from the capitol library only. 616 volumes were lent to state library borrowers, who even when not state employees, may take one volume, not fiction, from the capitol library.
CHILDREN'S LIBRARY
Established 1898
The books for children have been withdrawn from the central reading room where the main collection of the capitol library is shelved, to a room set apart for children, and open at certain hours to those registered as readers. This room is supervised mainly by members of the library school who wish to specialize on work for children, under direction of Mrs S. C. Fairchild, vice-director of the school. This change was made partly in the interest of students, who were crowded in the main reading room by young readers, and partly to increase opportunity for practical training in the library school course.
BIBLIOGRAPHY DIVISION
The library now has special divisions of law, education, sociology, medicine, history and manuscripts, those being the subjects in which it is particularly strong. The judgment of library experts is practically uniform that each library' should lay special stress on the departments in which it has already attained reputation. Since it is impossible for any library to lead in all departments, it must obviously attain its special usefulness and make its reputation in those fields where it has made the best beginning. The New York state library has always been strong in bibliography. Since the state library school was established and the entire collection gathered during 25 years by the national association of librarians was deposited here, we have steadily strengthened everything pertaining to librarianship till in many respects our collections are unequaled elsewhere in the world. The necessities of the work and practical convenience demand that the important and growing department of bibliography should have the same recognition as other specialties, by creation of a distinct bibliography division in charge of an enthusiastic sublibrarian who will maintain and strengthen present leadership in this field. Besides the collection of books and pamphlets which other large libraries might make, we have the library museum already containing many thousand illustrative specimens, blanks and models and the largest extant collection of photographs of library interiors and exteriors. This museum must receive special attention.
The great library exhibit at the Columbian exposition was prepared by our staff and deposited permanently in this library. The exhibits for the Paris exposition of 1900 and probably for the Pan-American exposition of 1901, representing the American library association, will similarly be prepared and permanently deposited in this library. Plainly the amount of historical material thus collected by a quarter century of active effort could hardly be duplicated elsewhere even at great cost, and our collections must continue as in the past to be the most important in existence for the thorough study of library problems.
Besides the library and museum side of the work, there is another great need, not alone for the thousand and more New York libraries more or less closely affiliated to the state library, but for other libraries and literary workers in other states and countries who would highly value the privileges. To meet this we propose to have the bibliography librarian maintain card indexes, which of course may be printed as demand warrants, showing the bibliographic resources of other libraries than our own, specially the location and character of manuscript bibliographies from which information could be secured in case of need. Scattered through the world are many thousand scholars who have with great labor compiled bibliographies of which there is only a single manuscript
copy, and who would be very willing to let other scholars use the information but are unable or unwilling to bear the clerical expenses of consulting the lists, copying references and answering questions. We wish to have it widely known that our library maintains an index of such manuscript work and that every person interested is free to ask what it contains on his special subject, with the address of the person to whom he must apply for references from it and the charge if any made for such services, on the principle which has proved so practical and acceptable to students m our paid help department.
Another index of great value would be of uncompleted bibliographic work- To this index would be added as fast as information could be secured the subjects, workers and any facts as to probable time of completion, publication, etc so that a scholar needing a new bibliography and inclined to undertake it might learn whether another was before him. Obviously there are many opportunities for great practical service by a thoroughly organized system of indexes for use of the whole library and student world. It will pay us abundantly to maintain this department for the libraries of this great state. It will cost no more to make all its resources available elsewhere under the paid help principle, and I predict that our bibliographic division will be more widely used and appreciated than any other.
Acquisition
All statistics refer to bound volumes unless pamphlets are specified.
The library has grown from the 381, 576 volumes reported last year to 405,170 volumes, of which 230,459 volumes are in the state library proper, 50,988 volumes are in traveling libraries in the home education department and 123,723 volumes are duplicates.
Aside from the home education department, duplicates and library school collection the additions of the year were 11,159 volumes. Of these only 5558 volumes were bought, 5601 volumes came in by gifts and exchange, including 2252 volumes made by binding pamphlets and 1176 by binding serials. 145 volumes were added by gift to the library school collection.
BUILDING
Needs. Needs noted in the last report under "Ventilation and ceilings" are still urgent. Electric lights should be provided in the upper rooms of the law library ; north stack ; room 45N3 ; upper east and west galleries of the main reading room; west gallery 443 ; room 65 ; toilet rooms in 32A and 34A and small room off north gallery 353,
Electric pumps to supply the library and western staircase elevators evenings and holidays when the steam pumps are not running, should also be supplied as recommended in previous reports.
To provide in part for current additions we should, so far as practicable, shelve all available wall space, widen gallery 45S3 and shelve the room thus formed, similar to 45N3, to relieve the present overcrowding in class 600, useful arts. The new card catalogue case for room 35, plans for which were drawn in 1896, should be no longer postponed. The drawers in the present case, within moderately convenient reach, have already been utilized and there is no room to spread cards for easier consultation, to insert needed guides, cards for home education and thousands of printed cards which still wait permanent arrangement.
A large consolidated general letter file is also seriously needed. At present for lack of it each library department has separate current files with old correspondence in various alphabets very difficult to consult. Our rapid growth thus forces reorganization and enlarged or improved appliances if we are to accomplish the maximum for the state with the staff at our disposal. Labor-saving devices and methods are much more economical than an enlarged staff otherwise necessary. Had our appropriations not been so closely limited many additions which would save money in the end would have been made before this.
New library building. The pressing need of a library building was pointed out in state library reports 1897, p. 9-13 and 1898, p. 13-14 and grows each year more urgent. Unless met, it will involve the state in very serious loss, as the daily cost of administration grows larger in proportion as needed space is curtailed by our rapid growth which now requires nearly a linear mile of new shelving for the additions of each year. For convenient reference, action in the matter is briefly recorded here.
Feb. 23, 1898 assembly bill no. 1005 entitled an Act authorizing the acquiring of a site for the state library building was read once and referred to the committee on ways and means. This differs from that introduced in 1899 (see below) only in designating the superintendent of public works, the capitol commissioner and the superintendent of public buildings as a board for acquiring the land, etc.
On Dec. 18, 1898 the regents minutes show this action:
Regent Sexton reported that the committee met December 15, and discussed the necessities for a new building to provide for the rapidly growing mass of books boxed up for lack of shelf room. On its recommendation
Voted, That a committee of three be appointed by the chancellor to confer with the governor elect on the educational interests intrusted to the regents.
The vice-chancellor, Regents Warren and Lord were so appointed.
Jan. 24, 1899 Mr McEwen introduced his bill a second time as follows and it was read once and referred to the committee on ways and means.
AN ACT Authorizing the acquiring of a site for a state library building.
§ 1 Whenever proper evidence shall be furnished and deposited with the commissioners of the land office of this state that the common council of the city of Albany has closed and discontinued that part of Congress street lying between Capitol place on the east and Swan street on the west, which the said common council are hereby authorized to do, and which being done by the said common council, the street so closed shall become the property of the state and be included in and form a part of the lands hereinafter provided to be taken as site for a state library building: the trustees of public buildings are hereby constituted a board for the purpose of acquiring the lands and tenements in the block in the city of Albany bounded as follows: On the east by Capitol place, on the south by State street, on the west by Swan street and on the north by Washington avenue, as a site for such library
building.
§ 2 'Whenever that portion of Congress street described in the preceding section shall become closed and become the property of the state, the said board are hereby authorized to take possession of said lands and tenements, and, if they can not agree with the owner or owners for the purchase thereof, they shall take such legal proceedings as the statutes of the state provide for the acquisition of private property for public uses, which land is hereby appropriated for the purpose of such site, and declared to be taken for public use. The said trustees of public buildings, shall serve as members of said board without compensation, but their disbursements and expenses to be audited by the comptroller, shall be allowed and paid.
§ 3 The sum of $400,000, or so much thereof, as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated for the purposes of this act,
§ 4 This act shall take effect immediately.
On Washington's birthday, 1899, a year from the day when the bill was first introduced, the following report was made :
Pursuant to the direction embodied in -the resolution adopted by your honorable body [Assembly] on the 6th day of February, 1899, viz :
Resolved, That the superintendent of public buildings be and he is hereby directed to ascertain and report to this house, with all convenient speed, as to the adequacy of that portion of the state capitol assigned to the use and occupancy of the state library, for its present needs and its probably future requirements.
I have ascertained and hereby respectfully report the following facts.
That the portion of the state capitol used and occupied by the state library comprises 64,553 square feet of floor surface, in addition to considerable space in the capitol corridors adjacent to said library used and occupied for the exhibition of Indian relics, hydraulic and electrical machinery, photographs of school buildings, etc.
From the fact that of the abovementioned 64,553 square feet of floor surface, 4000a [a This refers to the books boxed up in cases in the basement and it falls to mention those stored over the assembly chamber and in other parts of the attic story. Altogether there are now more than 150,000 volumes nailed up and inaccessible for lack of shelf room.] square feet is devoted to the storage of books, in cases, it is self-evident that there is not sufficient shelf room for said books, and as I am informed and believe that these books are accumulating rapidly, it is fair to assume that some arrangements for their accommodation will have to be made in the
very near future.
It should be borne in mind that if the location of the state library is changed from its present quarters, all the metal shelving, book cases, elaborate carving, and special appliances, extending, as they do, through two or more stories, with numerous galleries, must be removed and the regular floor levels of the building carried through the space they now occupy, to adapt those quarters to other purposes; and that but an inconsiderable proportion of such fixtures and appurtenances could be utilized elsewhere.
Respectfully submitted
H. H. Bender
Sup't public buildings
Improvements made. As noted on p. 53, running the west staircase elevator throughout the day has added greatly to efficiency of library service and lessened noise in the main reading room. Better radiators replace the old in room 31. In the main reading room the ledge of the case in the south end was widened to save wear of book bindings as well as to facilitate consultation of cyclopedias and other large reference books; the tops of the reading tables were refinished ; an oak case was made to hold the general indexes to periodicals, to save wear and render them more accessible; a new bookcase was also placed behind the sublibrarian's desk for his working collection, the top of the case to be used for consulting reference books. A vise and stand for holding oversize books was also provided for the gilder,
Fireproof safe.
The capitol walls are so massive that we have no fear of fire except as it might burn out individual rooms finished in wood. Hundreds of thousands of feet of oak have been used in shelving and interior finish, and in spite of careful installation of electric wires, we can not avoid the fear that some day this woodwork in some room will be accidentally set on fire and priceless material destroyed. The scientific explanation of how the fire occurred may be perfect, but the fact that rats or mice gnawed off insulation or that workmen accidentally broke it with their saws (as has happened a score of times in the past dozen years) might tell how it happened, but would not replace our lost treasures. Till we have a fireproof building, free from this danger, we must take the chances with ordinary books; but we have various treasures so costly that their destruction would cause serious criticism of the regents as trustees for not insisting on better protection than is now available, e. g. an autograph collector recently declared that our autographs of the signers of the declaration of independence were worth $20,000, In our manuscript room are collections which have cost the state vast sums and which money could not replace, yet there is no place to keep them except a room honeycombed with oak and interlaced with electric wires.
There are two solutions for adequate protection till the new building is ready : we may buy a large iron safe for the smallest and most costly collections; or better, take some small room, possibly in the basement if dampness can be thoroughly protected against (as it could be by making double walls with ventilation) and make a room strictly fireproof, without electric wires and large enough to hold all the rarities. A basement room would practically shut them off from public inspection, though they could be reached for occasional use. In the northwest pavilion it would be possible to make at comparatively small cost a fireproof room with ample daylight, open to visitors and yet safe from fire. From year to year other pressing needs have led us to defer this request, but we ought not to go longer without a large fireproof safe or fire-proof room. For lack of it we are liable to lose valuable gifts that would be put in our custody except for fear of fire.
Care of rooms.
During Gov. Flower's administration attention was called to the frequent losses in the state library and the subject was carefully considered by the superintendent of public buildings, representatives of the regents and the governor. It was found that the peculiar character of a great library was recognized the world over in unusual safeguards. In colleges and universities, where many janitors and cleaners have access to all ordinary rooms, it is customary to set apart the library as distinct, with locks to which there are few keys and none in the hands of the ordinary janitorial force. In other words, the library in its nature is a great safe for storing many things of large pecuniary value, which could be easily removed if the rooms were treated like other parts of the buildings. The superintendent declared it impossible for him or any one in his position with a great force constantly changing, many of the men coming from a distance and little known, to afford proper protection to the great collections of the library. Examination of cost by both systems made it clear that it would be economy to separate the library from the rest of the building and put its janitors under direct charge of the regents, who were responsible, as trustees, for safety of its property. As the rooms were so connected that it was impracticable to lock off the regents office, and as the regents examinations themselves required extreme vigilance, these were included with those transferred from the superintendent.
Experience has confirmed the wisdom of the action. At less cost we have secured better results and there has been marked improvement since access to the library has been so closely limited. The old locks were removed and at present there are only four keys, one for the head janitor, one for the night watchman, one carefully locked in the building for emergencies and one held by the director. Not even the senior librarians have a key to the rooms as either the janitor, night watchman or one of the staff is on duty and responsible for every person who passes the doors at any hour. Without this absolute control of the rooms, it would be simply impossible to afford proper protection to the many costly books in our great collection. Under the old system, losses were not due to lack of interest on the part of persons who had keys but to lack of appreciation of the dangers. Some visitor to gratify a laudable curiosity would ask to have the doors unlocked and to be admitted for a few minutes to see the library. Both visitor and janitor were perfectly trustworthy, but through the door thus opened sneak thieves, who have caused so much trouble in this building, would slip in and secreting themselves in alcoves or small rooms would have opportunity for petty thefts. Fortunately we had no very large losses, but the new system relieves most of this difficulty.
As we review the year we find that we are sharing the experience of all active great libraries. Each year we feel the pressure both for more room, a larger staff to meet the reasonable demands made on us, and for more books, because more books are printed than ever before and people insist as never before on having what they wish and need and will not be put off with some substitute printed perhaps years before the book they really want to see. Experience has proved that it pays to assist readers in a way not thought of a generation ago and the patrons of the state library naturally demand such assistance. All this adds to necessary expenses ; but, on the other hand, the extent and spirit of the service given calls out warm public appreciation of the large practical returns from taxpayers' money wisely and economically expended on what is becoming more truly each year the real people's university.
Respectfully submitted
Melvil Dewey
Director
REPORT OF DIRECTOR 1899
To the Regents of the University of the State of New York
I report as follows for the state library for the year ending Sep. 30, 1899.
For convenience in comparing reports for various years, a regular outline is followed and comments are grouped under the heads shown in the table of contents. Following the custom of previous years the report of the library school is bound with the state library report because its work is largely done by the library staff and is so closely related to the library. A full account of the other work of the home education department is given in its separate report. Home education statistics are not included in the state library report unless specified.
STAFF AND EMPLOYEES
A summary of staff changes is given in table Y, p. 88 followed by the annual list of vacancies. For convenience the staff list by departments has been transferred to table Z to bring it next the index where it can be most easily consulted.
G. B. Howell. The following is extracted from the regents minutes :
George Rogers Howell, archivist of the New York State library, died suddenly of pneumonia on April 5. Mr. Howell was born In Southampton L. I. in 1833. He was graduated from Yale in 1854, from Princeton Theological Seminary In 1864, and engaged in ministerial work in western New York. In 1872 he entered the service of the New York state library, and served that institution faithfully for 27 years. He was author of several historical pamphlets and published a number of papers in the transactions of the Albany institute, of which he was secretary for many years. He wrote also Early history of Southampton L. I., with genealogies, Bi-centennial history of Albany, written In conjunction with Jonathan Tenney, and Noah's Log Book, a novel. Mr Howell will
be much missed by investigators in genealogy and local history who frequent the state library.
Voted, That a minute be made on the records and transmitted to his family with an expression at sympathy and of the appreciation by the regents of his long service.
Voted, That the duties of the state archivist be assigned to members of the state library staff who have had experience In this department.
Under this vote C, A. Flagg was made sublibrarian in history and A. J. F. van Laer sublibrarian of manuscripts.
Mr. Howell's funeral was held in the Second Presbyterian Church, Albany, Friday, April 7, at 10 a. m. The staff, on which Mr. Howell had served for 27 years, occupied seats specially reserved, only the few of his associates being absent who were necessarily on duty at the library.
Salaries. Table U, p. 87 shows the average annual salaries in the state library, home education department, bindery and building department from 1895 to date. Tor convenience of reference and comparison and to simplify bookkeeping and auditing, the wages of laborers, porters and binders heretofore paid by the week were last year all paid by the month with the usual salary check.
To guard against embarrassment in cases where weekly payments had been relied on for current expenses, I offered to advance to any of the staff affected, such money as was needed, to be repaid at the end of the month. The calls for this accommodation were so few as to indicate that the new system will be entirely satisfactory when once it is understood and fairly in operation.
MANUSCRIPT DIVISION
Established 19 April 1881
Archivist. After the death of Mr. Howell so long state library archivist (see p. 5) A. J. F. van Laer, a native of Holland and a graduate of the Polytechnic school at Delft, and a member of the New York state library school class of 1899, was put in charge of the manuscript division. Mr van Laer brings to his work a rare combination of linguistic ability, professional training, accuracy and enthusiasm which will render his services of great value in deciphering the rich collection of Dutch manuscripts, etc. intrusted to his care.
Inventory. An inventory of the records in the manuscript division taken when Mr van Laer entered on his official duties showed that all the volumes called for by the shelf list were on the shelves with the exception of "Commissions, v, 3 ", reported by Mr. Howell as missing since the spring of 1896. Two important collections, not recorded on the shelf list but known to have been procured for the library, namely the 2500 loose papers containing the originals of many letters in the "D. D. Tompkins papers" and a collection of some 900 manuscripts of revolutionary' and post-revolutionary times, formerly in the possession of Mr. Peter Van Gaasbeek of Kingston and acquired in 1886 at a cost of $125, are at present missing but are probably in boxes in one of the storerooms of the capitol. On the other hand a large number of volumes were found of which no record existed and as far as possible these have been entered in the shelf list and the catalogue of manuscripts. The former author and alphabetic subject categories have been thrown into one alphabet and 136 cards, found to duplicate others, have been taken out 387 new cards have been added.
Among the volumes not heretofore catalogued is a file of 52 thin folio books containing lists of certificates issued by state agents for provisions for the revolutionary army; paybooks for services performed on fortifications on Governor's and Bedloe's islands in 1794; copy of assessment rolls of Dutchess co. pursuant to an act of 1786 ; list of bills of credit and certificates canceled in 1789 ; book of receipts for interest on loan office certificates with signatures of persons to whom the interest was paid, and a variety of other accounts. In the same file were found an index to v. 1 of "Certificates of treasurer " and also a general index of officers. With the exception of v. 5 every one of the 10 volumes of "Certificates of treasurer" is now provided with an index. A volume marked 11, erroneously given as part of the set in State library bulletin; history no. 3, p. 224*, is an alphabetic list of
names, apparently of pensioners.
Some bundles of loose sheets containing the original drafts of council minutes, 1754—73 and a series of 59 thin folio volumes of rough copies of council minutes, 1709-76, were compared with the bound volumes of engrossed "Council minutes" and arranged in the order of the latter. Occasional references in the rough copies to entries of a previous date in the engrossed minutes show that the latter were kept regularly as the rough copies proceeded, yet the following minutes were noticed in the rough copies which are not in the engrossed minutes : Legislative minutes, 31 Aug.— 13 Sep, 1728, printed in Journal of the legislative council. Alb. 1861, 1 :571-79, showing that E. B. O'Callaghan had access to the rough copies; also, minutes of the eastern boundary committee, 14 July-16 Nov. 1753 and council minutes of 4, 23, 26 Dec. 1775, 29 Jan. and 14 Feb. 1776.
An inspection of the closets in the manuscript room brought to light a large number of manuscript and printed maps, not recorded in any of the existing catalogues. As frequent inquiries are made for original maps of surveys an index of the above maps was begun at once. This index is to be completed gradually by references to maps in the bound volumes of manuscripts. An index has also been made to the contents of packages of miscellaneous papers found in the same closets. These papers ought at some future date to be permanently arranged, but for the present it was thought wiser not to disturb the original order in which they were found.
Reference work. The regular work of the division consisted of the correspondence connected with historical and genealogical inquiries, the preparation of copies of marriage bonds, census returns and other documents, a few translations from the Dutch, Spanish and Italian and some 50 certificates of service of soldiers in the revolutionary war.
To reduce as much as possible the time involved in making out the above certificates of service, the following blank has been printed, which if not suitable in all cases, is at least convenient for the preparation of rough drafts to be typewritten,
[Blank]
This is to certify that on page ... of a manuscript volume entitled
In the custody of the regents of the University of the State of New York, in the state library, the name of ia
recorded, under date of as a In company, belonging to the ... regiment of commanded by
and that the above record shows that the said performed active service in the war.
In testimony whereof, the seal of the University of the State of New York has been affixed at the city of Albany, this day of
Personal inquirers have as far as possible been allowed to work in the manuscript room ; exchanges of information, personal contact with students, and the learning of their needs being considered a sufficient gain to outweigh the discomfort and disturbance arising from the narrowness of the present quarters. The carrying back and forth of the very heavy volumes is in this way largely avoided and greater safety insured, as there is less danger that volumes will not be returned to their shelves at the close of office hours.
Inquiries about the "Henry Stevens papers" have come in from time to time, to which no satisfactory answers could be returned for the lack of a proper arrangement of these papers. The fact that this important collection is still practically inaccessible causes not only disappointment to the investigator but casts also a reflection on the library. It is therefore recommended, that during the coming year, the sorting, binding and calendaring of these papers be taken in hand.
Calendars and indexes. It is further believed that under present conditions no better service could be rendered to historical students than to print as soon as possible the calendars prepared by Mr Berthold Fernow for the following records :
Court of assize, v.2, 1665-72
Council minutes, v. 3, 1668-78
General entries, v.4, 1671-74
Council minutes, v.5-31, 1683-1776
General entries, v.32, 1678-80
Entries, v.33, 1632-83
Orders, warrants, letters, v.2, 1665-69
Warrants, orders, passes, etc. v,3, 1674-79
Passbook, v.4, 1680-91 (incomplete)
Licenses, warrants, etc v.5, 1686-1702
Orders, warrants, etc. 1680-82
Of other calendars now available in manuscript the most important is that of the "Sir William Johnson's mss" 26 v. 1738-90.
This calendar, prepared for v, 1-11 by D, J. Pratt and v. 12-36 by H. A. Homes, is bound in one volume and would probably have to be copied for the printer.
The calendars of v. 1-47 of the "George Clinton papers", prepared for v. 1-23 by Orville Holley, v. 24-34 by G. W. Clinton,
v. 35-38 by G. E. Howell, v. 39 by P. F. Cooper and v. 40-47 by G. E. Howell are very brief and, since the documents themselves are in course of publication, not of sufficient importance to warrant a complete revision.
An index to v. 1-23 of the "George Clinton papers", prepared by George W, Clinton and consisting of 1898 separate sheets was found in two bundles and has recently been arranged for use. This index, which is very carefully made and aims to give every name signed to or incidentally mentioned in the documents, has rendered already valuable service in the work of the division and would well repay making a typewritten copy. As the references are not to pages but to the number of the document, it could also be printed and used in connection with the volumes of Public papers of George Clinton now published by the state. For v. 24 of the "George Clinton papers" an index on slips was prepared by P. E. Cooper.
HISTORY DIVISION
Established 1898
During 1899 more books were added and the expenditure for serials was larger than ever before.
New reading room. The arrangement of our new reading room on the fifth floor has called forth the full appreciation of the genealogic public. Here the family histories and allied works are shelved round the walls of a large room, with tables and chairs conveniently placed, and with the large allied subject of local history in 55A, the adjoining room. For convenience of users there have also been removed to this department from the main periodical room about 70 current serials on genealogy and local history, which are shelved in pamphlet cases on the south wall; and here also is shelved our important collection on American hereditary and patriotic societies, removed from its class order in 369.1. We are gradually accumulating here a small reference library of works constantly used in the history division, though classed elsewhere,
In a conspicuous place is posted a typewritten list of the most used genealogic books, which are retained for reference and not allowed to circulate. While assistance to genealogic searchers has made by far the greatest demands on this division, the convenience of having our general history collection conveniently accessible has been appreciated by other classes of students,
Our distance from the library catalogue in 35 is a source of inconvenience, minimized however by our house telephone and the minute classification of most of the books. The greatest trouble has been found in 073, United States history, which, till the classification is completed, is arranged on the shelves alphabetically by authors.
Current work. The transfer of the preparation of certificates of revolutionary service and correspondence connected therewith to the manuscript division to which they properly belong, leaves more time for other necessary work. Those living at a distance are availing themselves to a considerable extent of our offer of paid help in family research, and this branch of the work has been turned over to Mr Herbert McKnight. By him also the large accumulations of unclassified pamphlets stored in the library are being rapidly classified and made available for use, while, in the absence of pages in this department, the convenience of having two men available for reference work can hardly be overestimated.
All accessions on historical subjects, including biography and travel are now turned over to this division for classification. Periodicals are constantly examined for new publications, which are obtained if possible as gifts or recommended for buying. Since the appearance of the revised Decimal classification with its full treatment of United States history, the work of classifying and cataloguing this section is being rapidly pushed forward.
Publications. As soon as other work permits we expect to print a bulletin of genealogy, a large part of which was typewritten a year ago. In this subject the New York state library has one of the best collections in the country, so the publication will be an important addition to bibliography. A printed catalogue of our collection of American local history is also contemplated. A full bibliography of New York local history, including not only books but articles in periodicals and other publications should he issued; as it is work -specially- in the state library's province and would utilize bibliographic labor already performed.
The new sublibrarian, Mr. Charles A. Flagg B. A. (Bowdoin) a graduate of the New York library school, has by the year's work more than justified his selection as the head of the history division.
CAPITOL LIBRARY
Established 14 December 1892
Growth. 447 books were added last year. In order to keep the collection within the limits of the shelves assigned it in the main reading room, where free access is allowed, it is necessary from time to time to transfer to the state shelves books which have proved of less interest, or in which the interest has passed. This accounts for the fact that the collection does not greatly increase, and sometimes lessens, in spite of constant additions of fresh books. As noted on p. 38, the children's books have been transferred to a separate room.
Use. 200 borrowers were added to the capitol library register, making a total of 1340 from the beginning, of whom 575 have drawn books this year. Of these 51 are temporary state employees, who borrow from the capitol library only. 616 volumes were lent to state library borrowers, who even when not state employees, may take one volume, not fiction, from the capitol library.
CHILDREN'S LIBRARY
Established 1898
The books for children have been withdrawn from the central reading room where the main collection of the capitol library is shelved, to a room set apart for children, and open at certain hours to those registered as readers. This room is supervised mainly by members of the library school who wish to specialize on work for children, under direction of Mrs S. C. Fairchild, vice-director of the school. This change was made partly in the interest of students, who were crowded in the main reading room by young readers, and partly to increase opportunity for practical training in the library school course.
BIBLIOGRAPHY DIVISION
The library now has special divisions of law, education, sociology, medicine, history and manuscripts, those being the subjects in which it is particularly strong. The judgment of library experts is practically uniform that each library' should lay special stress on the departments in which it has already attained reputation. Since it is impossible for any library to lead in all departments, it must obviously attain its special usefulness and make its reputation in those fields where it has made the best beginning. The New York state library has always been strong in bibliography. Since the state library school was established and the entire collection gathered during 25 years by the national association of librarians was deposited here, we have steadily strengthened everything pertaining to librarianship till in many respects our collections are unequaled elsewhere in the world. The necessities of the work and practical convenience demand that the important and growing department of bibliography should have the same recognition as other specialties, by creation of a distinct bibliography division in charge of an enthusiastic sublibrarian who will maintain and strengthen present leadership in this field. Besides the collection of books and pamphlets which other large libraries might make, we have the library museum already containing many thousand illustrative specimens, blanks and models and the largest extant collection of photographs of library interiors and exteriors. This museum must receive special attention.
The great library exhibit at the Columbian exposition was prepared by our staff and deposited permanently in this library. The exhibits for the Paris exposition of 1900 and probably for the Pan-American exposition of 1901, representing the American library association, will similarly be prepared and permanently deposited in this library. Plainly the amount of historical material thus collected by a quarter century of active effort could hardly be duplicated elsewhere even at great cost, and our collections must continue as in the past to be the most important in existence for the thorough study of library problems.
Besides the library and museum side of the work, there is another great need, not alone for the thousand and more New York libraries more or less closely affiliated to the state library, but for other libraries and literary workers in other states and countries who would highly value the privileges. To meet this we propose to have the bibliography librarian maintain card indexes, which of course may be printed as demand warrants, showing the bibliographic resources of other libraries than our own, specially the location and character of manuscript bibliographies from which information could be secured in case of need. Scattered through the world are many thousand scholars who have with great labor compiled bibliographies of which there is only a single manuscript
copy, and who would be very willing to let other scholars use the information but are unable or unwilling to bear the clerical expenses of consulting the lists, copying references and answering questions. We wish to have it widely known that our library maintains an index of such manuscript work and that every person interested is free to ask what it contains on his special subject, with the address of the person to whom he must apply for references from it and the charge if any made for such services, on the principle which has proved so practical and acceptable to students m our paid help department.
Another index of great value would be of uncompleted bibliographic work- To this index would be added as fast as information could be secured the subjects, workers and any facts as to probable time of completion, publication, etc so that a scholar needing a new bibliography and inclined to undertake it might learn whether another was before him. Obviously there are many opportunities for great practical service by a thoroughly organized system of indexes for use of the whole library and student world. It will pay us abundantly to maintain this department for the libraries of this great state. It will cost no more to make all its resources available elsewhere under the paid help principle, and I predict that our bibliographic division will be more widely used and appreciated than any other.
Acquisition
All statistics refer to bound volumes unless pamphlets are specified.
The library has grown from the 381, 576 volumes reported last year to 405,170 volumes, of which 230,459 volumes are in the state library proper, 50,988 volumes are in traveling libraries in the home education department and 123,723 volumes are duplicates.
Aside from the home education department, duplicates and library school collection the additions of the year were 11,159 volumes. Of these only 5558 volumes were bought, 5601 volumes came in by gifts and exchange, including 2252 volumes made by binding pamphlets and 1176 by binding serials. 145 volumes were added by gift to the library school collection.
BUILDING
Needs. Needs noted in the last report under "Ventilation and ceilings" are still urgent. Electric lights should be provided in the upper rooms of the law library ; north stack ; room 45N3 ; upper east and west galleries of the main reading room; west gallery 443 ; room 65 ; toilet rooms in 32A and 34A and small room off north gallery 353,
Electric pumps to supply the library and western staircase elevators evenings and holidays when the steam pumps are not running, should also be supplied as recommended in previous reports.
To provide in part for current additions we should, so far as practicable, shelve all available wall space, widen gallery 45S3 and shelve the room thus formed, similar to 45N3, to relieve the present overcrowding in class 600, useful arts. The new card catalogue case for room 35, plans for which were drawn in 1896, should be no longer postponed. The drawers in the present case, within moderately convenient reach, have already been utilized and there is no room to spread cards for easier consultation, to insert needed guides, cards for home education and thousands of printed cards which still wait permanent arrangement.
A large consolidated general letter file is also seriously needed. At present for lack of it each library department has separate current files with old correspondence in various alphabets very difficult to consult. Our rapid growth thus forces reorganization and enlarged or improved appliances if we are to accomplish the maximum for the state with the staff at our disposal. Labor-saving devices and methods are much more economical than an enlarged staff otherwise necessary. Had our appropriations not been so closely limited many additions which would save money in the end would have been made before this.
New library building. The pressing need of a library building was pointed out in state library reports 1897, p. 9-13 and 1898, p. 13-14 and grows each year more urgent. Unless met, it will involve the state in very serious loss, as the daily cost of administration grows larger in proportion as needed space is curtailed by our rapid growth which now requires nearly a linear mile of new shelving for the additions of each year. For convenient reference, action in the matter is briefly recorded here.
Feb. 23, 1898 assembly bill no. 1005 entitled an Act authorizing the acquiring of a site for the state library building was read once and referred to the committee on ways and means. This differs from that introduced in 1899 (see below) only in designating the superintendent of public works, the capitol commissioner and the superintendent of public buildings as a board for acquiring the land, etc.
On Dec. 18, 1898 the regents minutes show this action:
Regent Sexton reported that the committee met December 15, and discussed the necessities for a new building to provide for the rapidly growing mass of books boxed up for lack of shelf room. On its recommendation
Voted, That a committee of three be appointed by the chancellor to confer with the governor elect on the educational interests intrusted to the regents.
The vice-chancellor, Regents Warren and Lord were so appointed.
Jan. 24, 1899 Mr McEwen introduced his bill a second time as follows and it was read once and referred to the committee on ways and means.
AN ACT Authorizing the acquiring of a site for a state library building.
§ 1 Whenever proper evidence shall be furnished and deposited with the commissioners of the land office of this state that the common council of the city of Albany has closed and discontinued that part of Congress street lying between Capitol place on the east and Swan street on the west, which the said common council are hereby authorized to do, and which being done by the said common council, the street so closed shall become the property of the state and be included in and form a part of the lands hereinafter provided to be taken as site for a state library building: the trustees of public buildings are hereby constituted a board for the purpose of acquiring the lands and tenements in the block in the city of Albany bounded as follows: On the east by Capitol place, on the south by State street, on the west by Swan street and on the north by Washington avenue, as a site for such library
building.
§ 2 'Whenever that portion of Congress street described in the preceding section shall become closed and become the property of the state, the said board are hereby authorized to take possession of said lands and tenements, and, if they can not agree with the owner or owners for the purchase thereof, they shall take such legal proceedings as the statutes of the state provide for the acquisition of private property for public uses, which land is hereby appropriated for the purpose of such site, and declared to be taken for public use. The said trustees of public buildings, shall serve as members of said board without compensation, but their disbursements and expenses to be audited by the comptroller, shall be allowed and paid.
§ 3 The sum of $400,000, or so much thereof, as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated for the purposes of this act,
§ 4 This act shall take effect immediately.
On Washington's birthday, 1899, a year from the day when the bill was first introduced, the following report was made :
Pursuant to the direction embodied in -the resolution adopted by your honorable body [Assembly] on the 6th day of February, 1899, viz :
Resolved, That the superintendent of public buildings be and he is hereby directed to ascertain and report to this house, with all convenient speed, as to the adequacy of that portion of the state capitol assigned to the use and occupancy of the state library, for its present needs and its probably future requirements.
I have ascertained and hereby respectfully report the following facts.
That the portion of the state capitol used and occupied by the state library comprises 64,553 square feet of floor surface, in addition to considerable space in the capitol corridors adjacent to said library used and occupied for the exhibition of Indian relics, hydraulic and electrical machinery, photographs of school buildings, etc.
From the fact that of the abovementioned 64,553 square feet of floor surface, 4000a [a This refers to the books boxed up in cases in the basement and it falls to mention those stored over the assembly chamber and in other parts of the attic story. Altogether there are now more than 150,000 volumes nailed up and inaccessible for lack of shelf room.] square feet is devoted to the storage of books, in cases, it is self-evident that there is not sufficient shelf room for said books, and as I am informed and believe that these books are accumulating rapidly, it is fair to assume that some arrangements for their accommodation will have to be made in the
very near future.
It should be borne in mind that if the location of the state library is changed from its present quarters, all the metal shelving, book cases, elaborate carving, and special appliances, extending, as they do, through two or more stories, with numerous galleries, must be removed and the regular floor levels of the building carried through the space they now occupy, to adapt those quarters to other purposes; and that but an inconsiderable proportion of such fixtures and appurtenances could be utilized elsewhere.
Respectfully submitted
H. H. Bender
Sup't public buildings
Improvements made. As noted on p. 53, running the west staircase elevator throughout the day has added greatly to efficiency of library service and lessened noise in the main reading room. Better radiators replace the old in room 31. In the main reading room the ledge of the case in the south end was widened to save wear of book bindings as well as to facilitate consultation of cyclopedias and other large reference books; the tops of the reading tables were refinished ; an oak case was made to hold the general indexes to periodicals, to save wear and render them more accessible; a new bookcase was also placed behind the sublibrarian's desk for his working collection, the top of the case to be used for consulting reference books. A vise and stand for holding oversize books was also provided for the gilder,
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