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New Ideas in the Governor's Office
Governor Dewitt Clinton focuses on the formation of a New York State Public Library. -
The New York State Library is Established
The New York State Library is formed in the state capital, Albany. -
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New York State Library
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Starting an Institution
John Cook served as the first State Library Director. The State Library shared space with both the Governor and Mayor's office as well as the State Legistlature offices in the Empire State Plaza. -
New Connections
The New York State Library is moved from the State Legislature to be under the direction of the Board of Regents. -
Crossing Borders
The New York State Sentate passed an act allowing the transfer of documents and literary works across borders in direct relation to the presentation made in 1840 by Alexandre Vattemare. -
Building a Collection
Several relationships were developed between European countries working closely with New York State Benefactor Alexandre Vattemare to create deals by transfering literary works between different institutions. -
Institution with Purpose
The New York Library takes the step in becoming a "Federal Patent Repository."http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/about/timeline.htm -
Famous Influence
Melvil Dewey famous most notably for the creation of the Dewey Decml System, served as the New York State Library Director from 1888-1906. Worked to bring new ideas for the Library. Stated that he hoped the New York State Library would serve as a, "people's university." -
Moving the Library Forward
Library Director Melvil Dewey propelled the State Library forward towards modernization. Seen as uncommon, Dewewy would often arrange bike rides with Library staff. Stating in her artciel through the nysl.gov Melinda Yates, "Dewey considered the bicycle the "librarian's horse." http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/otherpubs/capasset.htm -
New Innovations
The New York State Library rose to meet the needs of blind library users with braille books and won approval from the New York State Legislature to open a dedicated librarary. -
Strong Partnerships
The New York State Library forms a partnership with the New York Educational Services. Currently today the NYSL is in a relationship with the Office of Cultural Education. -
Tragic Event Tests the Strength of the NYSL
In 1911, the Captial Building caught fire causing a devastation to the New York State Library collection. According to nysl.gov article by Melinda Yates, "400,000 books, 270,000 Manuscripts and 1,000,000 catalog cards were lost. Follow the links for excellent photographs taken on the tragic night of the fire. www.nysm.nysed.gov/capitalfire/index.html. -
Time to Rebuild
With assistance from New York State Legislature, the New York State Library was able to focus on recovering the library collection in the best possible ways from the damage of the fire. Legislature approved "1,250,000 dollars" for the recovery effort. -
Moving Towards Education
In the aftermath of the 1911 fire damage, the New York State Library took advantage of the partnership between the Education Department and relocated to the Education Building on Washington Ave. just across the street from the original location. -
Expanding Access
The current Talking Books and Braille Library began reaching out to provide library access for children who are in need of brailled or audio materials. -
A Modern Move
The New York State Library made a final move to the Cultural Education Center where the collection is housed over 6 floors of modern and usable space. The move created a much more modern feel for the library environment. -
Micro-What?!
The New York State Library makes a major change in technology when card catalogs are replaced with the new and efficenient "1,720" microfiche. The upgrades, along with the new modern Cultural Education Building are setting up the NYSL for the future developments. -
Automatic Access
The New York State Library converts to an automatic Library Catalog upgrading and reinventing the way in which information is accessed. -
Organization
Within the Cultural Education Buidling, The New York State Library has three main departments. The Research Library, The Division LIbrary and The Talking Book and Braille Library. -
Providing Further Opportunities
The New York State Library forms a Research Residency Program to further assist with personalized studes and reserach for individuals. -
Library Article Statue
§ 4509. Library records is noted within the full list of Library Law Statutes. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/excerpts/statutes.htm#NPCirector Handbooks. -
WWW.NYSL.COM/HELLO WORLD WIDE WEB!
The New York State Library is online with the creation of a NYSL.com web site. -
Keeping With Current Times
The "Library for the Blind and Visually Handicapped" is renamed to the current, "The Talking Books and Braille Library during this time. -
Not for Profit Corporation Law
Statue 404- Approvals and Consents is enacted and included in New York State Library http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/excerpts/statutes.htm#NPCirector Handbooks. -
Gaining Support
During his time as Library Director, Melvil Dewey formed the New York Library Association. As www.nyla.org states, NYLA is "dedicated to advocating on behalf of all libraries and library staff to the state legislature, and serves as the spokesperson on library matters to the media and public policymakers" (www.nyla.org). -
Laws Regarding New York State Public Library
Current New York State Statutes are listed in full text through the NYSL web site http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/excerpts/statutes.htm -
Allow Free Access Statutue 61.05
§ 61.05. Free public libraries. Any municipal corporation may
establish and maintain a free public library or museum in accordance
with the library provisions of sections two hundred fifty-three to two
hundred seventy-one, both inclusive, of the education law.
