78th Annual Report: Busy, Busy Manuscript Division.

New York State Library 78th annual report, 1895 (2 illustrations.)

TRANSMITTED TO THE LEGISLATURE FEBRUARY 11, 1896, BY THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY,
ALBANY: UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, 1897

REPORT OF DIRECTOR, 1895

MANUSCRIPT DIVISION

The archivist reports as follows for his division : During this year most of my time has been spent in making searches for proof of service of soldiers in the revolutionary war and preparing certificates of the same, and in the correspondence therewith connected. Some volumes of mss in daily use have been indexed. Many people ask for personal assistance in guiding them to the books that will furnish them with the information of which they are in search. I have sent out nearly 100 letters partly written, partly printed, inviting authors to give to the library a copy of a genealogy or inform us how we might otherwise obtain it. I have also read portions of booksellers* catalogues on early geographical discoveries in America and on genealogy and local history for such works as should be added to the library. Some time also is needed in general oversight of and keeping in good order the ms collections in my care. The muster rolls of a cavalry regiment in the revolutionary war, made up of soldiers from New York, Massachusetts and Connecticut have been lent to the library for copying and this has been nearly completed and the copy consisting of about 175 pages prepared for binding. The remainder of my time has been spent in continuing the indexing of the Clinton papers.

The steadily growing need for both more storage room and more reading room inside a territory that can not be extended, points to an early need of another building, which should be planned for future growth and should house both library and museum. It is hoped that a more adequate system of ventilation will soon be added to the improvements that are constantly increasing comfort and convenience.
Respectfully submitted
Melvil Dewey
Director