The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-12-02
lENOX LIBRARY TO DATE.
zLL-4ROUND STUDENTS FIYD THAr
THEY WANT TEIERE.
TIL General Reader Also Provided FORA
New Catalogue Under wnv-Ths Pres
cnt Ouo Being uettersd Mouthiy.

New Catalogue Under Wnv-The Pres
cnt Ouo Being uetsered Mouthiy.
The Lcnox Library has become recently more
ard more an open treasure house not only TO
TIE scholar but TO the general reader. When
the library vas frs. opened to the public IL was
mainly n show place for rare books. though its
shelves held many volumes OF interest and value
20 etJdents Of American history. The founder,
whose own collection a. first constituted the
whole library. had confined his purchases to n
narrow range Of subjects. Ills collection OF
books bearing upon American history was
manly restricted To those published before
tho year 1900. There were. besides valuable
works on Milton and on Shakespeare. many
rare Bibles and other volumes OF interest to the
biNliophile rather than TO the public at large, or
even 30 tho student. The policy Of the trustees
was to confine their purchases pretty closely TO
lie lines laid down by the founder in making
his own collection.
In 1878, however, came the Duyckinck legacy
OF over $4,000 bound volumes and nearly 1900
pamphlets. covering a wide field In English
literature, especially the poets, literary history,
tho fine arts, and much OF German, Spanish.
French, and Italian literature. The ASTON gift
In 1884 included over $500 bound volumes and
131 pamphlets, covering much OF modern French
literatdre. bellcs-lettrcs, photography. and
works on the fine arts. The Drexel collection OF
$500 bound volumes and 800 pamphlets relating
- the history of music, was received in 1888.
The library OF the late George Bancroft, the
historian, was purchased In 1893. 1t included
nearly 5000 bound volumes, over 1900 pam
phlets, and 4SO manuscript volumes. 1t was
rich in works on American history from the
time OF the stamp net. Eight thousand
volumes and pamphlets relate to Ameri-
can history. 1000 to English history
and literature. 1000 to German literature
and philosophy, 1000 to French and Italian
literature. 900 to Greek and Roman literature,
.nd tbs remainder TO miscellaneous subjects.
The Stuart legacy was received In 1909, and ar
ranged on shelves early IN 1903. II includes
nearly l.,Co0 bound volumes and nearly 2,0Co
Pamphlets. This accession greatly enriched the
Americana OK tho library. and added many
works Of travel, be!ies-lettres, TIE fine arts. and
gcnecal history, besides rare volumes on several
e.hi.cts.
Nhie all thcse k'tis were coming In. the
hrustoes lave been buying rnre looks and ell
SHs A. u'p"t nv" y EN"si"u" h's'"',
psey fs'e bought In the last TWO years several
49,, ,ho-, a, .r -, rnSrnr., no.suomnr
y" y "a =, "'m"''
f;on, including New York newspapers Tor every
wear of tbs, i'm.
-
Tho library with mere than $4,000 bound
volumes and more than 10000 pamphlets, is
preparing WITHIN inc next year 10 serve It's read
ers more satisfactorily than ever. Tho tempo
sI.;.S W 49,, ~. n,n,ns Tso W., y" . onni
~. ~ az
sata'osao VIII DC finished IN a rev days. Before
,,rmnnent ca,.,ocuc viii ho bscnn Th,, viii
No, ha sni.Isd tor ssvnr., va"r. w., no, vii,
Sc gradually substituted for the temporary cata-
ioruc, the latter will be better and better from
month to month. The temporary card catalogue
was made by cutting up the several printed and
bound catalogues of the library and pasting The
titles on cards. These catalogues are defective
,,,.. = sha., ~ .on,s....
'lio u ehor'"hu soihe'ihes' oo
tional omissions in the TEMPORARY card cata-
l,aua hocarso,h un,odio,oaim a. ,o..,.a,r.
only those parts of the library that are most
used by readers and students.
by way OF prspaiggS a.1n for the permanent gna card
catalogues In bound volumes will be made OF
each collection in the library directly from the
legacy require this OF that collection. These
volumes will be so printed that the titles shall
be in suitable type for transference TO the card
catalogue, and as the transfer is made, the prop
srly drawn-out titles will be substituted for the
short titles In the card catalogue, In this way
the whole library will be gradually card cata-
logued under one alphabet.
The Lenox collection will probably be the last
20 undergo This treatment. The temporary cata-
logue is not looked upon with special pride by
the librarian, because OF its necessary defects,
but it was the best thing attalnable In so short
a time, and the needs OF the library were press
ing. The permanent card catalogue will be a
monument of library science.
While the temporary catalogue Is being
finished and the permanent catalogue is under
way. still another catalogue. or, more properly
speaking. hand book. will be in preparation.
This last is to be a guide to the exhibition
rooms collection OF rare books and manu-
scripts. 1t will be, among other things, a history
of printing In Europe and America, illustrated
by raro books belonging TO every stage OF the
art. When this work has been finished and
the exhibition rearranged, the exhibition room
will be a rare feature 10 be found In no other
American library.
With the growth OF the Lenox Library the at
tendance in the reading room has steadily in
creased until now the time seems near when
more space must be found for readers and sou
dents. The system Of the library makes IL pos
slble 10 know from month TO month the number
of readers and the class OF books consulted.
The number OF readers this year has been nearly
or quite double the number last year. They
are OF all sorts, from the scholar seeking author
titles In one or another abstruse subject To the
schoolboy In search OF amusement. Unless