The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-10-18

ALBANY, sept 10 leiT
The State Library at .1i5ony.
have doubt but history of this institution from
Its origin down to the present moment would be read
with considerable interest have therefore prepared
sketch Of It's commencement and its progress
The State Library founded by act of the egis-
lature In 1919 The of three thousand dollars was
appropriated at for the purchase works for the
library In addition to this five hundred dollars were
by the act directed to be annually paid for the same
purpose. This arrangement continued until 1897 when
the amount for tho enlargement Of the library was In
creased to thirteen hundred dollars per annum and a
ter 1910 the amount further increased to twenty
eight hundred dollars The constitution of ls4s left the
library totally destitute of funds but the legislature of
ls47 promptly appropriated the formerly devoted
TO It's increase In 1914 act passed for the pur
chase Oh collection Of works made by Mr.. David B.
Warden, American Consul in Paris, and which he made
during his residence In that city This collection embra
ces many and rare valuable works American history
and has added much to the value Of the library The col
the OF four thousand dollars was paid In 1895 the
number Of volumes In the library Abs in 1880,
sS ssS " i y SoSS IN sss Sa and In lsa a
the sndeavors vsttemsrst to establish
exchanges has transmitted large number Of very
luabls works published by it, to the library The Kings
Of Prussia and Holland toe In return for copies OF the
iorwsrded library several vauab works those Of
the King Of Prussia are being Autograph
b together with architectural designs Of the principal
public buildings Of Germany Very recently there has
been received from the French government the grand
petition.
The first catalogue Of the works in the library was
catalogue has been published annually up to is4s with
the exception the year 1s43 The catalogue for ls4s
Is far more full and perfect than any Of its
OF the institution: John Cook Calvin Pepper James Ma
her Robert Brown, william Cassidy, and John L. TIL
time of keeping the library open, has varied from time
to time For the last two or three years 1t has been kept
open when tAs L:gssturs or any court Of the State
and at other times 1t has been closed SLAP NJ Mem
bers Of the legislature and trustees Of the library
library
or two the apartments in the capitol devoted to its
have been grssty improved and beauted thus render
ing very pleasant place for recreation improve
nsnt The Act for the sssblishing OF public library
stthe ssst which passed April 81
ceor and Chief Justice the Supreme Court Board Of
Trustees to charge Of that institution but the
section sssps into the supply b apparently
claring that in addition T. the Governor and Lieut.
the Secretary Of State Attorney General
Comptroller for the time being, shall be- and they are
hereby constituted and appointed trustees
the State library Although this did not terms, sx-
practical effect In 1912 however, the joint ibrry
Iittes Of the Legislature by their chairman the Hon.
Gabrel Furman In very elaborate and able report In
relation to that institution forcby pointed out the
sxpedency Of continuing the State officers the
tees Of the State library and recommending that the
charge Of 1t should DO committed either the officers
who were Its original trustees under the OF Apr
~ or to the regents Of the university and
that the last in the judgment Of the committee would
form the most suitable board for that purpose Nothing
was done Immediately In pursuance of the
lions report but In the year ls43 the Legislature
passed On act carrying out the principles of that
report and the regents Of the university were accord
ingy constituted the trustees Of the State library From
that PERIOD the progress Of the institution has been
proving with accelerated pace and under the con.
slant and provdsnt Of its present bids fair
to become, In short time equal to the most valuable
literary Institution in this country The selections for
the increase Of the library made with great
all Its affairs managed with skin and judgment
When the present trustees took library
they directed that exact inventory should be
of all the books, maps, documents and other property
belonging TO the This duty, under the surperv
son and with the assistance Of the Secretary Of the
Board ODE Becky was performed by the present libra
ran, and his then assistant, Mr. George Wood whose
efforts peculiarly servceable in bringing the mis-
ceaneous department Of the library out the in
which 1t involved, and subsequently in preparing
the very valuable catalogue Of the books maps &c. in
that department.
The unweaed exertons Of the present trustees to ad
the interests OF the library have been they
we'll deserved to be, by confidence and lberay the
part Of the legislature and tho friends Of literature
have every to hope for the continued and in
creasng usefulness Of that institution while managed
and 40 sustained