New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-12-02
THE ASTOR LIBRARY.
TT IS CRITICISED AND PRAISED.
WY IT IS NOT A CIRCULATING LIBRARY AND
,, 1T &c CLOSED IN THE EVENING:

WHY 1T IS CLOSED IN THE EVENING
Than. bos been criticism recently OF the manage
want NJ the Astor Library Its officers have oeeh
accused of inatention to their duties ther moue Vi
treating the public has been unfavoraoy col"e"eu
upon the rule which precludes taking DOORS iio'"
the building has been termed inconsistent WIZ" I"'
views OF the founder, and the closing OF the reaus
rooms At night has been declared an injustice 10
many readers - r,.. ~ ,,e
One correspondent. writing to Inc iriou". vi VIZ
subject SAYS: THE Aston Library mas ar o'u iep'
,ation for churllshness and indifference 70 the 'o'
venience and service OF its frequenters Inc 49,"
~ its custodians toward the public Is senerahy as
sorod n he stiff and formal and not ob"gihs' car
cuated rather to make him feel his place as an III
,er,oper and intruder than to help along MS eno' "
NJ study and research. IL may De that tneSe ''
ments are all wrong. that the administration Vi 'e
library Is perfect. and its officials the PINK VI po''
ness and attention. but there is remarkabe CON
ss ~ affirmation on the other side. reaching pacK
,,to tw,,,pbt periods of antduny, and preserving
monotonous unanmiiy of tone, as II 'hey n'' d
sounder basis than fantasy or Individual caprice VI
unreasonable men.
AN INVESTIGATION URGED.
ct will not be out OF place to have an o'"c'',
Investigation OF the conduct OF the INSTITUTION anu
II may be found that its usefulness mas lons pc'"
impaired by its methods of Administrations H''e'
ence to the clause Of the Astor will indorsins the
,,s,,ution docs not show that II was intended as n
refuge for n few supercilious officials and Few
ornamental trustees, but that II was really ue-
signed TO serve the public. In so iar as the III
tentions OF the founder have been perverted cor
rection is required. which should he administered
as promptly as possible. II the institution wishes
TO stand well with the public II must treat the
public we'll but there has hitherto been little sign
that il cared anything about II. Perhaps 1t does
not rs now organized: the testimony is much that
way but a new administration and new methods
are always possible even In Lafayette Place, where
they have not hitherto been much looked for.
1t was evident to The Tribune reporter who called
at the Astor Library recently to Investigate the
complaints implied in the above communication thai
many people still frequent the place and the treat
ment accorded them evokes no complaint The TWO
large reading rooms were well filled with men en-
gagged in reading and writing. a number OF women
similarly employed seated at the tables In
the space set aside for women. while few stu
dents sat In alcoves where the books pertaining
to the subject which they were engaged were
at hand.
RULES OF THE INSTITUTION.
"As to the rules OF this library" said one who
from years OF work among It's books Is thoroughly
familiar with It's methods, they necessarily dif-
ferent in great institution where all tn" world Is
freely admitted and where 1000 readers served
In wear from those Of the excellent library OF Co
Iumbla College and like institutions where none are
admitted but studlous persons they know something
about who form a family party In compact and
moderate-slzed building. But the rules Of this IL
brary made simple and the privileges as large
as good order and security permit"
On reaching the main floor OF the library the
visitor hnds the catalogue consisting OF two sue
cessve alphabcts in printed volumes. and sup
plement TO date in cards. II he cannot ind what
he wants he has the assistance Of the librarian In
charge OF the delivery and his assistants This
librarian speaks several languages. AMI has had
long familiarity with the resources OF tho library
II book Of mcr; is asked Tor that Is not there
It IL bought. 80 the Tribune reporter was Informed
at the first opportunity. Books desired to be drawn
are noted on clips provided for the purpose and
brought down cXpclitiously as the length - the
galleries and the number OF stairs viii permit
The books are arranged systematically by sub
,ect and are easily found by press and shelf
mark unless In som" small section 81 the col
lection that may be undergoing revision The
usual speed Of service Will compare fsyoraby with
that OF other large braries
A fact which makes this library particularly con-
venicnt for the student e. that there II no lmiia-
ton to the number ~ books drawn except general
convenience. and ~ Is not unusual 10 see reader
with a great STAGE OF books piled up around him.
drawn before he began work. to time The
books are taken 10 the quiet reading rooms either
on the north or south side. and In the case OF
women the books carried FOR them - ono 81
the reserved tables In the middle hall. Before
leaving
account for his book. hall porter Is stationed In
the vestibue below. 20 that no books are
brought in or carried out. and to take care 81
parcels and umbrellas. Any one making long re-
searches that require many references Is allowed
10 have direct access to the books on Ming letter
vouchlng for him from some responsible person
known TO a trustee He then has the use OF n
table and chair In the alcove where his books be-
long.
THIS PERSON WELL PLEASED.
One who has had that privilege says: 81 have
heard many complaints and criticisms OF the As
tor Library but my experience has been TO
the contrary. A few years ago had occasion to
pursue some extended researches and spent
several hours a day there for some weeks. IL Is
no exaggeraton TO say that was ms much nj
home as in my own house. ! had an alcove with
n large table for my exclusive use. fun range OF
the galleries and bookshelves and a polite attend
ant at call TO get any volume / wanted and
could not find myself. All my experience there
has been of the pleasantest description and the
only fault I have ever had 10 find with the IL
brary Is that IL IL not open in the evenings. and
that books cannot be taken out or the building. ~
AS TO the hours. the opinion OF an old New
Yorker and one familiar with the Aston Library
for many years may be OF interest. He says: AS
to the hours It may be mentioned that when the
library was founded. and. indeed. until quite re-
Gently II was almost n universal rule for working
libraries OF research to be open only by daylight
during some OF the ordinary working hours OF the
day and the researches were sup 'sed TO be made
az part Of the days work In contrast with the
present circulating libraries OF general informa-
ton and entertainment. which are naturally open
also In hours of leisure. such as evenings and Sun
day afternoons. When the Astor Library was
first opened the hours were from 10 a. m to 3 D.
m but for the last fifteen years. | believe. II
has been opened at Q in the morning the year
round. thus giving eight hours for study ana
eight hours' work also for the librarians, except
for a short time in the winter. when the daylight
falls before o'clock longer service would re-
quire relays OF attendants. Increased expense for
light and heat. and increased risk TO "A valuable
public property that might never be replaced II
aisa xyhciher In the auartnr whore