ANNUAL EEPORT 



OF THE LIBRARY COMMITTEE OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE 1862. 



The library committee of the American Institute, in conformity 

 to section 47 of the by-laws, respectfully report: 



• The American Institute was incorporated to promote domestic, 

 industry in this State and the United States in agriculture, com- 

 merce, manufactures and the arts. 



It was deemed by the founders of the Institute that a library 

 •was essential to the advancement of these objects. Statistics, 

 especially such as related to the productive industry of the coun- 

 try, were necessary to aid the committees and members in making 

 out reports on subjects that were constantly coming before the 

 Institute. A library was accordingly projected and was styled 

 *' The Statistical Library of the American Institute." Members 

 contributing $25 in money or books became stockholders and 

 were entitled to take books out of the library, while members 

 who had not taken a share were only allowed the use of the books 

 in the rooms. 



The contributions to the library were not very rapid, and as the 

 members of the Institute were composed of gentlemen in nearly 

 every department of life, the volumes contributed were necessarily 

 of a miscellaneous character. 



Had the books been purchased under the supervision of a. 

 library committee, it is not likely that any considerable number 

 of works other than scientific would ever have appeared on the 

 shelves of the library. 



In 1850 the library committee having in view the reorganiza- 

 tion of the library, submitted the following plan for the action 

 of the Institute : " That in consideration of the surrender by the 

 stockholders of their interest in the librar}' as such, a resolution 

 Avill be introduced at the next regular meeting of the Institute 

 to make them life members, whereby they will not only retain all 



