The Regents of the University of the State of New York are, by law, declared to be ex officio trustees of the State Library. The following are the members of the board at the date of this report: JOHN V. L. PRUYN, LL. D., Chancellor. GULIAN C. VERPLANCK, LL. D., Vice Chancellor. REUBEN E. FENTON, Governor (ex officio). STEWART L. WOODFORD, Lieutenant Governor (ex officio). VICTOR M. RICE, Superintendent of Public Instruction (ex officio). ERASTUS CORNING, PROSPER M. WETMORE, GIDEON HAWLEY, LL. D., REV. SAMUEL LUCKEY, D. D., ERASTUS C. BENEDICT, LL. D., LORENZO BURROWS, ROBERT S. HALE, ELIAS W. LEAVENWORTH, REV. WILLIAM H. GOODWIN, D. D. SAMUEL B. WOOLWORTH, LL. D., Secretary. Standing Committee of the Regents specially charged with the care of the State Library for the year 1867. REPORT. To the Honorable the Legislature of the State of New York: The Trustees of the State Library respectfully present this their Forty-ninth Annual Report: At the close of the year 1865, the whole number of volumes in the library was... Of which there were in the general library.... 51,907 In the law library - 19,030 70,937 At the close of the year 1866, the whole number was.... 72,797 The additions for the last year were, to the general In the general library.. In the law library library To the law library Total additions in 1866.... Of these there were acquired by purchase. By donation and exchange... 53,297 19,500 1,390 470 1,860 948 912 Among the additions to the general library by purchase or exchange, during the past year, are the following valuable works: Labbeus, P., Sacrosancta Concilia. 1671-72. 17 vols. Sirmond, J., Concilia Antiqua Galliae. 1629. 3 vols. Cannon's Historical Records of the British Army, comprising the history of every regiment. 1834-47. 61 vols. Celtic Society's Publications. 1847-55. 6 vols. Shakespeare Society's Publications. in 20 vols. 1841-53. 48 vols. bound A Collection of Proceedings of Free Masons' Lodges in thirty of the States and Territories. 1824-63. Bound in 25 vols. The Trustees have often had occasion to acknowledge the liberal gifts of James Lenox, of New York. To those of former years, he has added a copy in German, of De Bry's Collectiones Pererinationum in Indiam Orientalem et Indiam Occidentalem. This collection embraces parts one to nine of the Large Voyages, printed 1596–1601, and parts one to eleven of the Small Voyages, 1597– 1618. The editions in German are much more rare than those in Latin. Mr. Lenox has also presented three editions (1617, 1631 and 1655) of the abridgments of these voyages in German, and the second edition of the fourth, fifth and sixth parts of the editions in Latin.* Among other valuable donations, the Trustees also mention the following: Instituto Historico, Geographico, Ethnographico do Brasil: Revista Trimensal: Tomo I-IV, 1839-1842: T. XII-XXVI, 1849-1863. 19 vols.. Presented by the Institute of Brazil. The shelves of the general library having become entirely filled, four temporary cases, capable of containing about 1,500 volumes, have been provided. After the present year, additional cases will be from time to time required, until more ample accommodations are furnished in the proposed new Capitol. The number of visitors to the general library during the past year was about twenty-seven thousand, of which number the actual readers were about nine thousand. An important part of the usual additions to the law library consists of law reports, and of statute law and State papers; many of which are obtained by exchanges with other States. The Trustees are happy to state that during the past year they have resumed exchanges with the Southern States. The legislative acts and proceedings thus interchanged will furnish to both sections documentary history of great value, which could scarcely be otherwise obtained. The large use of the books of the law department by members of the Law School in this city, to which the Trustees in their last report called the attention of the Legislature, still continues, and with marked evidence of its effects. Ordinary works, when worn out, may be replaced by purchase. There are others of rare value, which, when they disappear or are greatly impaired, cannot be again supplied. In the selection of books for the several departments of the library, the Trustees are guided by the desire to make it as largely useful as possible for purposes of reference. For this reason, * The library was previously in possession of a copy, in Latin, of the first edition of all the Voyages, which Mr. Lenox, who has, it is believed, the most extensive collection in existence of the various editions of De Bry, regards as one of great excellence. many books are purchased which would be of little use in a circulating library, while others, frequently met with elsewhere, are wanting. Many rare and antique works, procured from time to time, at moderate prices, have afterwards acquired a greatly increased value. The demand for this class of books, by the frequent formation of historical societies and public libraries, is increasing much beyond the sources of supply. They must therefore be procured whenever opportunity presents. The Trustees, having always regarded American history as an important specialty, are collecting and preserving, so far as their facilities and means allow, whatever tends to illustrate either the general or any portion of the local history of the country. An important part of such a collection consists of genealogical registers, historical and biographical sketches and discourses, official manuscripts, copies of books intended for limited circulation, reports of voluntary and business associations, files of newspapers and public documents. The Trustees earnestly invite contributions to the various departments of the library, which will be duly acknowledged from every source from which they may be received. Duplicate copies of public documents, and of miscellaneous books and pamphlets, are often needed for purposes of exchange. The usual statement of cash receipts and expenditures; of books, pamphlets, maps, coins, medals, &c, acquired by donation and exchange, and of volumes catalogued and placed on the shelves of the library during the year 1866, is hereto appended. Respectfully submitted, by order of the Trustees. JOHN V. L. PRUYN, Chancellor of the University. |