Smyrna times., 1857-12-31
Original articles.
Written for the Smyrna Times
Mercantile Library Association of New
York.

| This very useful and beneficial institution
now in its tifly-seventh year and numbering
5,lOO MEMBERS exclusive of honorary, of which
there are l04, and life members 9, was founded
November 9th. 1920, by the following notice
stuck up at the Advertiser office, .fac simiIe
of which is now in the possession of the Asso-
citation
NOrICE--TO Merchants, Clerks and Appren-
tices.-Tnose young gentlemen who are dis
posed 10 form u Mercantile Library and Even
ing Reading Room, are desired to attend a
meeting ior that purpose, at the Tontlne Coffee
House, on Thursday evening next, at o'clock,
when plan Of a a-- will be presented for
! their consideration
The young men of South ST., Front, Water,
PEARL Maiden Lane and Broadway, are particu-
larly desired TO attend w.
NeW York, Nov. Sd, 1920"
This simple notice was responded to by the
merchants, clerks. apprentices and mechanics,
with promptness and enthusiasm, so great was
the necessity felt for the establishment of such
4 an insti' i'ution and on the 9th day of Novem.
Der, just six days subsequent TO the notice, a
constitution and bylaws, was drawn up, SUBJ
mitted and adopted, and the whole thing at once
established upon firm and permanent basis
| Nothing at that time seemed to be SO much
needed by the merchant or his clerk, by the
mechanic or his apprentice, as Library and
Reading Room where, after the toll and labors
of the day, they could assemble and from off the
shelves we'll filled with choice volumes written
by various and learned authors, make a selec.
tion and quietly sit down to store their minds
with useful knowledge, the foundation of hap
piness, prosperity, power and riches.
The Offices Of the Association, are President,
Vice. President, Corresponding and Recording
Secretaries, Treasurer, seven Directors, Libra
ran and Assistant Librarian, besides ten Stand
ing Committees, as follows: Library PurcAas-
ing, Finance, Lectures, Classes, Membership,
Arrangements, Arts and Sciences, Free Schol.
arships, and Relations with Clinton Hall Asso.
citation. e.n ....I. t....
The objects of this institution are set forth in
language somewhat as follows: We, the SUBJ
scribers, engaged in various pursuits in the city
of New York, being desirous to adopt the most
efficient means to facilitate mutual intercourse,
extend our information upon all subjects of
general utility, promote a spirit of useful in
quiry, and qualify ourselves to discharge pro-
perly the duties Of our profession and several
Offices Of life,-haye associated ourselves for
the purpose Of collecting Libr9ryl esta blish-
ing Reading Room, and organizing system
ofinstructlon by Lectures and Classes together
. = . F -
with such other means Of Improvement as may
be fonnd advantageous. 90 ~ fan 5..,I
Article l ofrBy.Eaws and Regulations, says
the Library shall be open 'from71 o'clockI a.
m; until 8 o'cleck,) pE M; and the Reading
Room from u O'Clock, a. nj! +! until 10 O'Clock,
p. m, every day, except, Sundays, Fourth of
July. Annual Thanksgiving, Christmas, New
Years Day, and such other ddyssso The board
Of Direction may designate, excepting during
the months of November, December, January,
and February, when the opening hour shall be
8 o'clock, a. m. % i1sq yns.1o .m7h bIus az msdi
seT The Librarian is required 10, Keep 4 foil and
accurate catalogue Of all the books, maps,
charts, magazines, ne wspapers, and works of
art belonging to the Association and arrange
them in proper order. He shall make a record
of all books maps, charts, &c, presented TO the
Association, in a book provided for that pur-
pose, with the names Of the aonotsss He is also
required to register in nledgsPsPrepared for rthat
purpose, apdto be kept 10 ths library room. the
name Of every member of the Associaton.s a nd