Research Catalog

Astor Library records

Title
Astor Library records, 1839-1911.
Author
Astor Library.
Supplementary Content
Finding Aid

Available Online

NYPL Digital Collections

Details

Description
49 linear feet (72 boxes, 172 volumes, 1 reel).
Summary
The Astor Library records span the years 1839-1911, with the bulk dating from the period 1870-1890.
Subject
  • Astor, John Jacob, 1763-1848
  • Cogswell, Joseph Green
  • Irving, Washington, 1783-1859
  • Saunders, Frederick, 1807-1902
  • Saelzer, Alexander
  • Astor Library
  • New York Public Library
  • Research libraries > Acquisitions
  • Libraries > New York (State) > New York
  • Libraries > History > 19th century
  • Library finance
  • Acquisitions (Libraries) > New York (State) > New York
  • Classification > Books
  • Library catalogs
  • Library circulation and loans
  • Research libraries > New York (State) > New York
Genre/Form
  • Annual reports.
  • Bankbooks.
  • Cashbooks.
  • Catalogs.
  • Charters.
  • Financial records.
  • Ledgers.
  • Minutes.
  • Registers.
  • Scrapbooks.
Access (note)
  • Advance permission is required to access Board of Trustees minutes.
  • Volumes 8 and 10 are closed to research for preservation reasons. Readers may use photocopies of these items identified as Volumes 9 and 11.
  • Restricted access;
Terms of Use (note)
  • All rights reserved. Permission to quote must be obtained in writing from The New York Public Library.
Source (note)
  • NN
Biography (note)
  • The Astor Library was founded as a privately funded reference library, open without charge to the public.
Indexes/Finding Aids (note)
  • Finding aid available at repository and on internet.
Processing Action (note)
  • Cataloged
Call Number
MssArc RG1 5975
OCLC
NYPW04-A272
Author
Astor Library.
Title
Astor Library records, 1839-1911.
Access
Advance permission is required to access Board of Trustees minutes.
Volumes 8 and 10 are closed to research for preservation reasons. Readers may use photocopies of these items identified as Volumes 9 and 11.
Restricted Access
Restricted access; Manuscripts and Archives Division; Permit must be requested at the division indicated.
Terms Of Use
All rights reserved. Permission to quote must be obtained in writing from The New York Public Library.
Biography
The Astor Library was founded as a privately funded reference library, open without charge to the public.
It was established by the will of John Jacob Astor in 1848. Joseph Green Cogswell, the first Superintendent of the Library, was instrumental in its planning a decade before Astor's death. The Superintendent was assisted by a librarian, Frederick Saunders, from 1858. Washington Irving was the first president of its 11 member board of trustees. The Board concerned itself with the Library's administration and financial matters. The Superintendent and Librarian oversaw collection acquisition and cataloging as well as reader registration.
From 1849 to 1853 the Astor Library occupied temporary quarters at 32 Bond Street. In 1854 the Astor Library building, designed by Alexander Saelzer and located on Astor land on Lafayette Place, opened to the public. Two major extensions of the building were made, in 1859 and 1881, which increased the Library's capacity to 400,000 volumes. As a public institution insufficiently funded by one family, the Astor Library faced financial difficulties from the time of its founding. In 1894 it entered into talks to consolidate with the Tilden Trust and, later, the Lenox Library. In 1895 the consolidation of these three entities was completed, forming the New York Public Library.
Indexes
Finding aid available at repository and on internet.
Connect to:
NYPL Digital Collections
Finding Aid
Research Call Number
MssArc RG1 5975
View in Legacy Catalog