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and an entirely new translation must be made. To do this work satisfactorily it is not sufficient to have a thorough knowledge of both languages, but the translator must also be familiar with the details of the history, customs and personal and local names, requiring a special preparation which can in no way be better obtained than by copying the whole of the records before beginning the translation. Being a native of Holland, I feel specially well qualified for this task and would like to give it my undivided attention for at least part of each day. The rest of the time should be mainly employed in arranging the Stevens collection. To render this possible, a competent assistant must be appointed to take charge, under my direction, of the routine work of the department, including most of the correspondence and searches connected with certificates of revolutionary service. In complicated cases or where expert help is required for explanation of the exact meaning of terms in old Dutch land papers, translations from foreign languages, etc. I could be consulted. This routine work would take most of an assistant's time, the rest of the day could be usefully employed in copying indexes, mounting manuscripts, preparing a satisfactory shelflist and various other duties.

WOMAN'S LIBRARY

Established 20 Dec. 1893

As shown by the special collections table, p. 24, there are now 2486 volumes recorded in the shelflist of the woman's library. 123 volumes were received the past year in response to a circular sent to women writers of the state, asking. them to contribute the books necessary for a complete representation of their literary work. Many writers promised to send copies of their works not already in the library or new editions as they are issued.

So far as practicable, all books by New York women added to the library are also entered in the card bibliography of the women writers of the state. To indicate these writers in the name list the slips are stamped "N. Y." As the bibliography aims at completeness we should be glad of the names and addresses of any writers who may not be included, also titles of their printed works.

CAPITOL LIBRARY

Established 14 Dec. 1892

The capitol library now contains 3114 v. of which 126 were added last year.

241 borrowers were added to the capitol library register, making a total of 1581 from the beginning, of whom 629 have drawn books this year. Of these 59 are temporary state employees, who borrow from the capitol library only. 493 volumes were lent to state library borrowers, who even when not state employees, may take one volume, not fiction, from the capitol library.

Use of capitol library by classes 1 Oct. 1896-30 Sep. 1900

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It has been found necessary to discontinue the children's room opened last year in connection with the capitol library, owing to increase in general work and consequent urgent need of the space for our working force. It was most reluctantly abandoned by those who had observed its workings most closely. A much larger number made application for privileges than could be accommodated and the room was generally overcrowded. The importance to Albany of a well supported public library where a properly equipped children's room would attract boys and girls from the streets and turn their minds to wholesome

Percentage

Circulation

1900

Percentage

interests was made evident. The value of such a room for laboratory practice to those students in the library school who specialize on children's work is also great. It was deemed unwise to return the children's books to the capitol library shelves in the main reading room because they would draw so large a number of children as to crowd out more serious students. The collection is therefore still shelved apart,, though of course available to authorized borrowers from the capitol library.

LIBRARY FOR BLIND

Established 19 Mar. 1896

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Mrs Salome Cutler Fairchild, librarian, reports as follows: One of the most encouraging features of the year's work is the fact that many adults have learned to read N. Y. point, some of them by their own unaided efforts. These cases prove beyond doubt the statements previously made to us by educators of the blind. Any adult of fair intelligence and under 70 years of age can learn to read a point type, concentrated effort and persistence being the only necessary qualifications. cated blind persons can easily master two point systems. The only obstacle to a wide extension of the use of the library is the difficulty of securing names and addresses of blind people. The continued cooperation of the press and of individuals is requested. We wish cooperators in every part of the state who will seek out the blind in their own homes and explain the plan of the library and the ease with which they may share its unusual opportunities. Some will be willing to help blind persons in learning to read. We have already secured cooperators in Niagara Falls, Utica and Canajoharie and the work which they have accomplished emphasizes the desirability of extending the plan widely.

The following letter with finding list was sent Feb. 15, 1900 to all blind persons (about 516) living in New York state whose addresses were obtainable.

Your name has been given to us as one likely to enjoy the opportunities offered by the New York state library for the blind. A finding list of this library is therefore mailed to your address. Through the liberality of friends interested, books will be sent for the present without charge for expressage either way. If you wish to borrow from this collection, kindly make out a list of books and music which you would like and send it addressed: State library for the Blind, Albany N. Y.

Give author and title of each work wanted, taken from the catalogue, and always specify the type; e. g.

New York point. Tennyson, Enoch Arden

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Boston. Goldsmith, Vicar of Wakefield

About 10 titles should be put on each list as some of the books which you ask for may already be lent to other readers. You may borrow one book and two pieces of music at a time and may keep each of them one month. If you want to keep any of them longer, write to us three days before the month has expired, and unless the book or piece of music is wanted by some other reader, it will be lent to you for two weeks longer. Unless we write you that your book may be kept two weeks longer, please return it promptly.

We are quite confident that all who use this library will have such pride and pleasure in it that the utmost care will be constantly taken in the use of the books. Look out for three dangers; soiling, wear, and injury at time of transportation.

1 Keep the books scrupulously clean.

2 Rest the fingers lightly on the letters as you read. Pressure from many hands would soon make the book unreadable because the points would wear down smooth. There is a certain sum of money appropriated for the library each year. If every one is careful in using the books now in the collection, all the money can be spent in printing books that have never been put into embossed type. If some few readers were careless, we should be obliged to spend part of this money in buying new copies of the soiled and worn books.

3 Take great care in packing books to be returned, using the same wrappings in which they are sent.

Please write us whether you read books in the New York point, in the American Braille, Boston line letter or Moon system of type, and state also which system you like best. Kindly send titles of any books which you would like to have printed in embossed type and some suggestions as to making the library more useful to its readers. If you have not yet learned to read embossed type we should be glad to send you an alphabet and primer in New York point. We think this, of all the various embossed types, is the easiest to learn. The New York point is so easily learned by adults and even by those whose hands are hardened by labor, that no blind person who wishes to read need miss the privilege.

If you have read nearly all the books in New York point, we would suggest that you send for an alphabet and primer in American Braille, as that contains many interesting and valuable books not printed in New York point. The Braille is a point system somewhat like the New York point and can be learned with comparative ease by one who understands New York point. A number of books in Braille will soon be added to the library.

Correspondence may be carried on in New York point if you prefer it, but authors and titles of books wanted should be written in regular script, not in New York point.

If you have any blind friends living in New York state, please send their names and addresses that we may give them an invitation to use the New York state library for the blind.

The following letters, chosen from many similar ones, show how thoroughly the library is enjoyed and appreciated:

You indeed represent a grand and noble charity, the contributors to which can not overestimate the benefit, pleasure and instruction conferred upon a class whose circumstances are neces: sarily circumscribed despite their very best efforts to surmount difficulties. The free transportation puts the books within the reach of a large number who could not otherwise avail themselves of them.

I was glad to hear you are going to have some new books added to the library and I presume I can look forward to a winter's study. It will be a sort of self-education for me. I have enough light literature read to me and when I read to myself I prefer to have something that will make me think. With great pleasure I send a list of books. pass many a lonesome hour for such as I am.

The library will

I am proud of the generosity of my native state and feel very grateful to the kind friends who make it possible for me to enjoy the privileges.

Volumes in library for blind to 30 Sep. 1900

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Two new books were printed last year specially for us at the American printing house for the blind, Louisville Ky.; i. e. Watson's Beside the bonnie brier bush and Seton-Thompson's Wild animals I have known.

About 500 books and 200 pamphlets were given to the library by the State school for the blind at Batavia N. Y. Many of them were school books and a large number duplicates. The most usable and attractive books were added to the library for the blind; the rest were put in the duplicate collection to be used as there is demand for them.

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