The New York herald., 1877-09-18
TIE APPRENTICES LIBRARY.

OPENING OF THE FIrTY-sIxrH sEAsoN-PRo-
POSED NEW QUARTE1s.
Tho Apprentices Library OF the city Of New York
has opened its doors Tor the lrst time since they
were clos Ell for the summer vacation n July last 1t
is tho fty-sxth annual opening, the library having
been established In 1920 under tho auspices OF the
General Society Of Mechanics and Tradesmen Of the
City Of New York." an institution which was incorpo-
rated early ms 1885, During the vacation the OIL
ciais were busily engaged in overhaung tho library
and its accounts, agccrtaining what books
ing, tho number sent out, tho amount OF moneys re.
ccved and expended and other statistics 1t appears
that last there more than nlne thousand
readers, Of whom moro than four thousand wero le-
male apprentices 1t is only 1868 females
have enjoyed the library, and since that time they
such numbers that they bid iuir very
shortly to exceed the boys in number.
large percentage the books taken out by the girls
consists works of ction but that Is tho all
large circulating IiDrarioa Even in Boston, which
claims very high degree OF classical culture that has
been tho rule IN libraries patronized by the general
public
The nuribcr OF books circulated by the Apprentices
Library the past nearly $50 900, embracing
all kinds Of works. Out Of this number Il has
boon ascertained that only seventy missing, and II
IS expected that this number wilt be reduced TO sixty
nvo before he annual report shall be made.
This VII, make n ooo s,,o loss OF only one one volume
sidercd mighty creditablo TO the character
the thousands OF young people who receive the ben
ns OF the Institution Since the last report there have
been added to the library about twenty five hundred
new BOOKS These have been selected by the librarian.
GU the pay Of trade prices 10 tho publishers from
tho best works issued during the ind added
as soon rs they appear from tho press. The whole
numbcr OF volumes the library Is about sixty thou
sand 1t Is tue largest AS well as the oldest library oi
| the KIND IN the Unitcd States
HISTORY OF THE LIBRARY.
The Apprentices Library was originally established
BY donations from the cit zcns OF Now York, tue mem
bers OF the Mechanics aud rradesmen's Society con-
tbuling largely and assuming the general
Of the institution. II started IN 1879 with collection
OF auouL our thousand volumes, which has been grad
uay increasing until II has reached the round mum
bers above given. IL Is supported Wy appro
| Mrs Demit b,qucathed n small sum 10 this
library, the interest which used IN aodiDg to the
reference department The annual loss 0i books on
account OF wear aud tear aud non-return averages
about 6JJ volumes lhe library Is free 10 youths un.
der twenty and grls without restriction to age
provided they are engaged Ia sono mechanical en-
ployment III Tue city. permanent residencc here
not necessary Persons living III this CITY are no
allowed use the library II they are enp,oyed else
where. Boys under sixteen are granted the privileges
oi the library without distinction rs TO their employ
ment but youths beyond that age DC cmpoyed II
mechanical business TO eDtlile thcm 10 It's use
All others outside OF these classes may lake out books
upon the payment Of 81 per year II an employs or S.
per year II an employer Tue highest number OF Vol
unics taken out IN amy one day was 25u The DAILY
average during the busiest months ia.t season was
nearly 700 volumes. Tue lilies OF the library sup
| pncd with uil The New York daily papers
| 1he management OF TINS institution ~ conhded Il
the care OF library committee consisting oil twelv
members oi the society, appointed annually. TIT
present committee CONSISTS OF Jonn j. Tucker, chair
man; Albert q. Bosert treasurer; William H. Burras
secretary; Richard Poillon, John H. Waydel Gil
bert j. Burnet, Charles Andruss, Johu T. Conover. An
| drew ID. Bloodgood Rotert Rutter Hcrvcy Z. Calken
| George W. Iitnsow. The first vico president, Henri
L. SlUtc is member ex-oDiciO fnc librarian Is JacU
| Scliwarts, who has been engaged In the institution
since 1868.
Tue liorary Is ut present located at No. 472 Broad
way, but 1t VIII be removed, ABOUT January next, u
Robinson Hail. sixteenth street, near Broadway, whcr
! the Accommodations VIII be much enlarged ani Improve
and there VIII be space Tor 10000 volumes. The IN
sttuton increases III popularity and usefulness ever
| veu