TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS OF THE LIBRARY. 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 names of the members of the Board at the date of this report: ERASTUS C. BENEDICT, LL. D., Chancellor. WILLIAM DORSHEIMER, Lieutenant-Governor, Ex-officio. NEIL GILMOUR, Supt. of Public Instruction, Other members in the order of their appointment: ROBERT G. RANKIN, JOHN L. LEWIS, GEORGE W. CLINTON, LL. D., MARTIN I. TOWNSEND, LL. D., LORENZO BURROWS, ANSON J. UPSON, D. D., WHITELAW REID. SAMUEL B. WOOLWORTH, LL. D., Secretary. STANDING COMMITTEE OF THE REGENTS SPECIALLY CHARGED WITH THE CARE OF THE LIBRARY FOR THE YEAR 1878. OFFICERS OF THE LIBRARY. HENRY A. HOMES, LL. D., Librarian of the General Library. REPORT. To the Honorable the Legislature of the State of New York: The trustees of the State Library respectfully present this their Sixtieth Annual Report: At the close of the year 1876, the number of volumes in the library was 100,772 Of which there were in the general library. In the law library........ 73,035 At the close of the year 1877, the number was......... 104,010 The usual catalogues of additions are appended to this report. The ordinary increase of the library has been fully maintained during the past year. The character of the books added has been nearly the same as that of former years, a large part having been historical. Centennial celebrations of interesting events, in the history of the State and country, have been held; and every effort has been made to gather into the library addresses and other publications connected with these celebrations. Among the additions of foreign works are many of those of William Prynne, a voluminous writer, and distinguished lawyer and statesman of the seventeenth century. "For the progress of liberty, respect for the Constitution, regard for legal precedents and triumph of law over prelates and kings, England and America owe more to Prynne than to any other man, ancient or modern." Memoranda, on his character and writings, prepared by the Librarian of the general library, are appended to this report. LAW LIBRARY. The works in this department of the library are in daily and constant use in the courts, the Legislature, by State officers and members of the bar. The public documents of this and other States, and of the nation, are believed to be more nearly complete than those of any other library. One hundred and fifty volumes, folio, of the parliamentary papers of Great Britain, have been added during the past year. This series of valuable papers is now complete from 1844 to 1851, and from 1869 to 1876. Those of the intervening years will be secured as soon as they can be obtained at prices within the means of the trustees. In addition to these, the library has many volumes not within those years. The completing of the set, from the beginning of the English settlement of this country, is very desirable, and would greatly enrich the library. PROCEEDINGS OF BOARDS OF SUPERVISORS. The efforts of the Librarian have secured those of past years, so far, probably, as they exist and can be obtained. The law of the last session, which requires the clerks of those boards to transmit to this library a copy of the proceedings, annually, will secure those of the future. The extension of the power of local legislation, now vested in these boards, renders the preservation of their records of great importance. This library has the only general collection of such records. The library has received from the Court of Commissioners of Alabama Claims, a complete set of the printed papers used in the trial of the causes submitted to that body, in fifty-five volumes, octavo. These volumes were furnished by Mr. John Davis, clerk of the court, on the application of Hon. Robert S. Hale, one of the trustees of the library. The trustees have under consideration some modification of the rules which govern the administration of the library, which will be communicated to the Legislature as soon as they are perfected. The library has outgrown the room provided for it. Books are placed in double rows on the shelves, and all available space is full. No department of the State has more pressing need of the completion of the new Capitol than the State Library. All of which is respectfully submitted. By order of the trustees, E. C. BENEDICT, Chancellor of the University. Secretary. S. B. WOOLWORTH, STATE LIBRARY, ALBANY, February 28, 1878. |