New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-12-09
THE SOCIETY LIBRARY.

The Trustees Of the Society Library depN
duty a, the pre.ent time to place before the czcnse
New-York brief statement Of the situation 81 'nSs
Institution and its claims upon the public.
This Library was founded in the year i7W - Ihe
Public Library" and was placed under The charge OF
the Corporation Of the City Of New-Yors In 1904 y
was transferred to association Of priv ~, oscfn
err. by whom it was supported under the same OF
"The City Library" until l772, when il received NJ
present corporate exiserce with its pre- title, b.,
charter from George III.
By its charter, all persons Who should "a he 80
Of f5 now $25) became entitled to election ss NON
bers Of Il Corporation, Md an annual payment now
fixed BY law at $6) was assessed upon each member
scr the support Of the institution The Trustees are
a,so authorized by law to receive from sny usrber
the of $75 in Communication Of the ANIMAL faynen~
on hi share.
Library has mover exceeded 240 which The prescott
number-263 Of whom bold shares, upon which tho an
mail ducs are conn uted. Each share, 1t should DO
borne 10 mind Is interest in perpetdty In the real
estate books and other property Of the corpor hcn
now worth not less than $40 00O, aud - transmitted
by decent or assignment like any other security. Many
OF the shares owned by the present members were
taken on the original subscription IN l'ot. Wah tho
excel ton Of occasional gifts OF books and legacy
IS COO from tene VIOLENT lady, this Institution has never
had any other than the sums received from tho
ssle of its .hares the annual dues upon them and the
sums received in Communication OF these does. lei VITA
theee ecanty resources the Institution has gone on
.tesdy advancing until IDS collection OF books has in-
crossed TO over 40 eco volumes and it, reading rooms
provided with all the prominent newspapers and peri
Odicss OF the day.
II is one of the Oldest institutions Of the kad IN the
COUNTY, II was the Library Of Congress daring s
SESSIONS in this city, aDo has often furnished material
aid TO Government fem lie unique collection o. maps
ard other records. Beside being on par with The
best brsries in the country Ia the number VI valuable
and costy works Inaccessible to the means OF most
prvat pefeops which 10 be found On It's shelves II
Is anest alone in having preserved IN unoroien series
tie inos important newspapers and other public jour
nals ut this and other countries during more than
century, As library for general reference N science
and literature il will compare most fAvorably with any
similar institution, while Its collection OF DOCKS aud
publications illustrating the early history, growth, aud
local antiquities of ths city, which has been gradually
accommodating for than century, Is far superior to
any other in existence.
Willie most pubic libraries are available only to
those who have time TO cor suit book In The library
itself this is circulating library In the most liberal
sense issuing its books to the shareholders and Their
families. :,
GUS building for its accommodation, win no other
assistance than few thousand dollars contributed by
property owl ers in Its neighbohood toward the pun
chase Of the land The cost Of the site and building to
the Library is about 600. The building 10 nov
completed and paid for, and the Corporation docs not
owe dollar.
The Library being now arranged in its ne. and ample
quarters and the Corporation being entirely free from
debt, the present time has been thought favorable
one for appealing to the citizens Of New York In behalf
of this venerable Institution to enable the Trustees 10
enlarge lite Library and thus extend its usefulness and
if possible place Its future support upon some moro
liberal basis than heretofJre While It has struggled
on for than century with no other aid than ITS
own scanty res Jurces, other similar institutions have
been founded and munifcently endowed for different
classes Of our citizens. II V confidently hoped that
Al ;tv ha Dlaro
a similar footing Institution which, through Its
associations should appeal 80 strongly to every New
Yorker.
Tie asstar CO asked for be given either by sub
scrptcp for shares or in donations toward the forma
nation of permanent fond.
The Trustees therefore, take this opportunity TO in
vite their fellow citizens to visit the Library Badng,
which Is in University.place, between Twelfth and
Thirteenth sire cts and thus form their jadgmeat
Of the advantages offered by the Institution and Of it,
claims upcn them. u,ov,
CHARLES r. SWORDS
LEWIS C. JONES.
Nee. York Society Library Dee l, 1855