Chapter 3

=Lectures and meetings.= The Branches are used as meeting places by literary, educational and social organizations and clubs. Assembly rooms in the Branches are open for any meeting of an instructive or literary nature, provided that no admission fee is charged, and that nothing of a political or sectarian character is discussed. Many classes of foreigners learning English meet regularly in the Branch Libraries.

HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE LIBRARY

The New York Public Library, as it exists to-day, is the result of the generosity of a few private citizens, combined with the efforts of the City itself. Its corporate existence, in its present form, began on May 23, 1895, by the consolidation of: "The Trustees of the Astor Library," "The Trustees of the Lenox Library," and "The Tilden Trust."

=The Astor Library=, originally incorporated in 1849, was founded by John Jacob Astor. His gifts, together with those of his sons and grandsons, amounted to about $1,700,000. Washington Irving was the first President of the Library, and Joseph Green Cogswell its first Superintendent, or Librarian. In its building on Lafayette Place (now Lafayette Street) it was for many years one of the literary landmarks of New York. At the time of its consolidation with The New York Public Library it had an endowment fund of about $941,000, which produced an annual income of about $47,000. It contained then 266,147 volumes. It was solely a reference library,--the funds were given with the understanding that the books should not be lent for use outside the building.

=The Lenox Library.= James Lenox, one of America's greatest book collectors, was born in New York City in 1800 and died there in 1880. In 1870, by the incorporation of the Lenox Library, he gave to the city of his birth his books and art treasures. The building, which formerly stood on Fifth Avenue between 70th and 71st Streets, was erected for the Library and opened to the public, a part at a time, beginning in 1876. At the time of consolidation the Library owned its building, an endowment fund of $505,500, which yielded an annual income of about $20,500; and about 86,000 volumes. This also was a reference library, not a circulating library.

=The Tilden Trust.= Samuel Jones Tilden was born in New Lebanon, New York, in 1814. He died in New York City in 1886. By the final settlement of his estate the City received his private library and an endowment fund of about $2,000,000, for library purposes.

=Consolidation.= In the agreement for consolidation it was provided that the name of the new corporation should be "The New York Public Library, Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations"; that the number of its trustees should be twenty-one, to be selected from the thirty-three members of the separate boards; and that "the said new corporation shall establish and maintain a free public library and reading room in the City of New York, with such branches as may be deemed advisable, and shall continue and promote the several objects and purposes set forth in the respective acts of incorporation of 'The Trustees of the Astor Library,' 'The Trustees of the Lenox Library,' and 'The Tilden Trust.'"

Later, another member was added to the Board of Trustees, and three municipal officials were made members _ex officio_.

The first Director of The New York Public Library was Dr. John Shaw Billings, who served from 1896 until his death in 1913. He rendered distinguished services, especially in the organization of the new Library and in the arrangement of the Central Building.

=New York Free Circulating Library.= In 1901 the New York Free Circulating Library was consolidated with the new system. This Library had then eleven Branches and owned about 160,000 volumes.

=Other Circulating Libraries.= In 1901, the St. Agnes Free Library and the Washington Heights Free Library were also added to the system. The New York Free Circulating Library for the Blind and the Aguilar Free Library, with four Branches, were added in 1903. In 1904, the Harlem Free Library, Tottenville Free Library, the University Settlement Library at Rivington and Eldridge Streets, and the Webster Free Library followed. Also in 1904 the five Branches of the Cathedral Free Circulating Library became part of the new corporation.

=Carnegie Branches.= In 1901 Mr. Andrew Carnegie offered Greater New York $5,200,000 for the construction and equipment of free circulating libraries, on condition that the City provide the land and agree to maintain the libraries when built. The offer was accepted, and thirty-seven Branch Libraries are now housed in buildings erected with that part of Mr. Carnegie's gift assigned to The New York Public Library. A directory of all the Branch Libraries may be found on page 77.

=Management.= The corporation is managed by a Board of twenty-five Trustees, including the Mayor, Comptroller, and President of the Board of Aldermen _ex officio_. The names of the Trustees are given on page 76. The Trustees hold office continuously, and vacancies are filled by vote of the remaining Trustees. No Trustee receives any compensation for his services. The immediate management of the Library is entrusted to the Director. The Staff numbers between twelve and thirteen hundred persons, including those in the Central Building and in the Branches. As the buildings are open between twelve and thirteen hours a day the Staff works in two shifts. Somewhat less than half of the Staff are employed in the Central Building.

=Benefactors.= A complete list of the Library's benefactors, besides the three founders, can more appropriately be given elsewhere. In addition to Mr. Carnegie's gift, one bequest should be noted here: that of John S. Kennedy, who in 1909 left about $3,000,000 to the Library, without conditions.

=Work of the Library.= This historical sketch may help to make clear the organization and work of the Library as it is carried on to-day. It is a free reference library combined with a free circulating library. The books in the Reference Department (in the Central Building) which came from either the Astor or the Lenox Libraries, and those which have been added since the consolidation, from the endowments of those Libraries, must necessarily be for reference use only. The Astor and Lenox Foundations give the Trustees of The New York Public Library no option in this matter. About one million books in the Circulation Department (the Branch Libraries) are lent for home use.

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS OF THE LIBRARY

WILLIAM W. APPLETON ANDREW CARNEGIE CLEVELAND H. DODGE JOHN MURPHY FARLEY SAMUEL GREENBAUM FREDERIC R. HALSEY JOHN HENRY HAMMOND LEWIS CASS LEDYARD J. P. MORGAN MORGAN J. O'BRIEN STEPHEN H. OLIN HENRY FAIRFIELD OSBORN WILLIAM BARCLAY PARSONS GEORGE L. RIVES ELIHU ROOT CHARLES HOWLAND RUSSELL EDWARD W. SHELDON GEORGE W. SMITH I. N. PHELPS STOKES FREDERICK STURGES HENRY W. TAFT PAYNE WHITNEY

JOHN PURROY MITCHEL, Mayor of the City of New York, _ex officio_

WILLIAM A. PRENDERGAST, Comptroller of the City of New York, _ex officio_

FRANK L. DOWLING, President of the Board of Aldermen, _ex officio_

OFFICERS

_President_, GEORGE L. RIVES _First Vice-President_, LEWIS CASS LEDYARD _Second Vice-President_, ELIHU ROOT _Secretary_, CHARLES HOWLAND RUSSELL _Treasurer_, EDWARD W. SHELDON _Director of the Library_, EDWIN H. ANDERSON

_Chief Reference Librarian_, H. M. LYDENBERG _Chief of the Circulation Department_, BENJAMIN ADAMS

BRANCH LIBRARIES

With the exception of the Central Building, the names of the Branches in Manhattan and The Bronx are arranged as they are situated, from south to north.

Names marked with a star (*) are of Branches occupying Carnegie buildings.

MANHATTAN

CENTRAL BUILDING. Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street CENTRAL CIRCULATION CHILDREN'S ROOM LIBRARY FOR THE BLIND TRAVELLING LIBRARIES CHATHAM SQUARE.* 33 East Broadway SEWARD PARK.* 192 East Broadway RIVINGTON STREET,* 61 HAMILTON FISH PARK.* 388 East Houston Street HUDSON PARK.* 66 Leroy Street BOND STREET, 49. Near the Bowery OTTENDORFER. 135 Second Avenue. Near 8th Street TOMPKINS SQUARE.* 331 East 10th Street JACKSON SQUARE. 251 West 13th Street EPIPHANY.* 228 East 23rd Street MUHLENBERG.* 209 West 23rd Street ST. GABRIEL'S PARK.* 303 East 36th Street 40TH STREET,* 457 West CATHEDRAL. 123 East 50th Street COLUMBUS.* 742 Tenth Avenue. Near 51st Street 58TH STREET,* 121 East 67TH STREET,* 328 East RIVERSIDE.* 190 Amsterdam Avenue. Near 69th Street WEBSTER.* 1465 Avenue A. Near 78th Street YORKVILLE.* 222 East 79th Street ST. AGNES.* 444 Amsterdam Avenue. Near 81st Street 96TH STREET,* 112 East BLOOMINGDALE. 206 West 100th Street AGUILAR.* 174 East 110th Street 115TH STREET,* 203 West HARLEM LIBRARY.* 9 West 124th Street 125TH STREET,* 224 East GEORGE BRUCE. 78 Manhattan Street 135TH STREET,* 103 West HAMILTON GRANGE.* 503 West 145th Street WASHINGTON HEIGHTS.* 1000 St. Nicholas Ave. Cor. of 160th St. FORT WASHINGTON.* 535 West 179th Street

THE BRONX

MOTT HAVEN.* 321 East 140th Street WOODSTOCK.* 759 East 160th Street MELROSE.* 910 Morris Avenue. Corner of 162nd Street. HIGH BRIDGE.* 78 West 168th Street MORRISANIA.* 610 East 169th Street TREMONT.* 1866 Washington Avenue. Corner of 176th Street KINGSBRIDGE.* 3041 Kingsbridge Avenue. Near 230th Street

RICHMOND (STATEN ISLAND)

ST. GEORGE.* 5 Central Avenue. Tompkinsville P. O. PORT RICHMOND.* 75 Bennett Street STAPLETON.* 132 Canal Street TOTTENVILLE.* 7430 Amboy Road

PUBLICATIONS OF THE LIBRARY

A reader of this Handbook may wish to know about some other sources of information concerning the Library. For that reason a few of its publications are named here. They may be consulted in the Central Building or any of the Branches.

=Annual Report= of The New York Public Library. (A limited number are sent to institutions or private persons upon request.)

=Bulletin= of The New York Public Library. Published monthly. Chiefly devoted to the Reference Department. Bibliography, news of the Library, reprints of manuscripts, descriptions of new accessions. One dollar a year; current single numbers for ten cents. Back numbers at advanced rates.

=Branch Library News.= Monthly publication of the Circulation Department. Lists of new books, reading lists, articles about books, etc. Given free at the Branches. By mail free to libraries and other public institutions. Otherwise, twenty-five cents a year.

=Facts for the Public.= A small pamphlet of general information about the Library. Much of its contents is also contained in this Handbook. Given free.

=Central Building Guide.= A small pamphlet. Price five cents.

THE CROTON RESERVOIR

As the Central Building of the Library stands on part of the site of the old Croton Reservoir, it is fitting to reprint here the inscriptions on two tablets which were formerly affixed to the Reservoir.

One tablet is now on the first floor of the Central Building, on the wall of the south or 40th Street corridor. The inscription is:

HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE ACCOUNT OF THE CROTON AQUEDUCT

The Law authorizing the construction of the work, passed May 2nd, 1834.

STEPHEN ALLEN, WILLIAM W. FOX, SAUL ALLEY, CHARLES DUSENBERRY and BENJAMIN M. BROWN were appointed _Commissioners_.

During the year 1834, two surveys were made--one by DAVID B. DOUGLASS and the other by JOHN MARTINEAU.

In April, 1835, a majority of the Electors of the City voted in favour of constructing the Aqueduct.

On the 7th May following, the _Common Council_ "instructed the Commissioners to proceed with the work."

DAVID B. DOUGLASS was employed as _Chief Engineer_ until October, 1836; when he was succeeded by JOHN B. JERVIS.

In March, 1837, BENJAMIN M. BROWN resigned, and was succeeded by THOMAS T. WOODRUFF.

In March, 1840, the before mentioned Commissioners were succeeded by SAMUEL STEVENS, JOHN D. WARD, ZEBEDEE RING, BENJAMIN BIRDSALL and SAMUEL R. CHILDS.

The work was commenced in May, 1837. On the 22nd June, 1842, the Aqueduct was so far completed that it received the Water from the Croton River Lake; on the 27th the Water entered the Receiving Reservoir and was admitted into this Reservoir on the succeeding 4th of July.

The DAM at the Croton River is 40 feet high, and the overfall 251 feet in length.

The CROTON RIVER LAKE is five miles long, and covers an area of 400 acres.

The AQUEDUCT, from the DAM to this Reservoir, is 40-1/2 miles long, and will deliver in twenty-four hours 60,000,000 imperial gallons.

The capacity of the Receiving Reservoir is 150,000,000 gallons, and of this reservoir 20,000,000.

The cost, to and including this Reservoir, nearly $9,000,000.

* * * * *

In the pavement of the south court is a tablet with this inscription:

CROTON AQUEDUCT.

DISTRIBUTING RESERVOIR.

COMMISSIONERS.

SAMUEL STEVENS ZEBEDEE RING JOHN D. WARD BENJ^n BIRDSALL SAMUEL R. CHILDS

ENGINEERS.

JOHN B. JERVIS. CHIEF. H^o ALLEN, PRIN^l ASSIST. P. HASTIE, RESIDENT.

BUILDERS.

THOMSON PRICE & SON.

COMMENCED A. D. MDCCCXXXVIII.

COMPLETED A. D. MDCCCXLII.

TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND COPIES OF THIS FIRST EDITION OF THE HANDBOOK WERE PRINTED AT THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY IN JUNE 1916