New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-08-26
tWHERE RARE BOOKS ARE.
THE ASTOR LIBRARY CHANGES.
ruosEp FOR RENOVATION AND RENEWAL
TALK WITH THE LIBRARIAN.

rrosEp FOR RENOVATION AND RENEWAL
A TALK WITH THE LIBRARIAN.
Astor Library Is closed again for repairs Once
och wear this becomes necessary. owing TO the con
slant wear and tear caused by the stream OF dairy
,eaders There will be no radical changes In the
arrangement Of the library, however, in fact no change
bcvond those mentioned before the reopenng on Sep
tembsr 16 The library has been popular during the
season Just closed aud has attracted numbers Oh
scholars The class of readers. Librarian Frederick
Saunders thinks. Is constantly improving ldiers'
DISTINGUISHED visitors and curiosity seekers are giving
way TO real students. Although the number oil appl
Giants for admission is invariably smaller during tne
summer semester they have averaged this season
almost 200 daily. In the winter Mr.. Saunders says
the number varies between $40 and $50. depennihs
somewhat upon the condition OF the weather
A few changes in the rules and regulations govern
Eng the library have been made recently ADMISSION
No the aloovcs has become matter OF easier accomps
mont All that is necessary now is the recommends
ton of q citizen of standing in the community or wh@'
Is technpslly termed accredited letter. 1h's was
formerly the The privilege has seeh sahcn
advantage Of frequently during the last season as tne
,looyes are the most desirable places to engage !"
.rork These are arranged upon different subjects.
There rs the alcove of history, the al
cove Of Egyptology, tho alcove Oh 'goos's
phy the alcove Of poetry and so ON urousnou'
the org list Of subjects In each case all the ooohS
An single alcove are germane TO the SUBJECT inS
facilitates study and considerable time ana ispo'
An carrying books to the general reading room NO
general arrangement rs modelled after tina in tbs BTU
4sh Museum which has long been famous lor 'no
.prfyleacs accorded students. The Astor Library 10
even more accessible than its famous pro'oS po'
1t was tho idea of the first librarian, Dr. Cogs"en'
according 10 Mr.. Saunders, 10 make the Astor Li'
one of reference and supplementary 70 the popus'
lending libraries. Beginning with the 1ooooo Vol
- that
out rs nearly as possible The purchases since us
foundation more than thirty years ago. have hau 'e'
end in view Only books of acknowledged anthoii'S
have been added TO the list so that the 2ooooV WI
umes which 1t now contains may be called CLASSICAL
They embrace all branches Of learning. 1t must not
he forgotten, Mr.. Saunders says, in comparing the
numerical list of books with those of other libraries
that the Aston Library has duplicates Whatever
and only tire standard novels. Popular movers are
also excluded Thus it covers subjects as exhaust
lively as other like institutions which can poaSt vi
many more books, because they duplicate anu even
triplicate their purchases upon one subject III lao
Mr. Saunders believes the Astor Library IS more COM
plete now in many ways than the famous British
Museum at the same age.
distinguishing feature of the library is the num-
her of rare and valuable books which II possesses
This is particularly the case. Mr.. Saunders says
wAth books upon archaeology. In books upon
!Egyptology the library is richer than any other IN
this country and compares favorably even with some
continental Institutions Many students work IN hls
department The library IS not public In the alb
soluto sense Of that word. 1t is under board OF
t,msteos and is the gift Of single family It's present
value is estimated be about 81 100000, including
the land and real estate connected with It. Many
of the books and manuscripts increasing rapidly
In value curious and Interesting instance Of this
was told 10 The Tribune reporter by Mr. saunders
About twenty years ago the librarian purchased
an edition of the first letter of Columbus In reference
n his discoveries in the New World, printed in Rome
in 1893 and covering four small leaves for $1,000
few weeks ago, he received letter from the FAMOUS
bookseller and antiquarian, S. Calvary, OF s. calvary
a. Co.. Inter den Linden, Berlin, Offering 800 pounds
.or something more than $1,000. for the same book
This increase also true, in various degrees, OF oher
rare works the library, and is proof that the policy
which has directed the purchase of books Is good
ono During the last year. comparatively speaahg'
few purchases have been made. The repairs when
are now going on although not extensive. VIII sun
fost about 81 900. 1t is necessary TO e1pend mat
lmuch annually. Tho present season for closing Is
.bossn as most convenient 10 all people interested In
fhe library The majority of the students who use II
are absent from the city I'm August, out VIII Nturh
jagain to begin their work In september.