ANNUAL REPORT 



OF THE LIBRARY COMMITTEE OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE, 1861. 



The 47th section of the by-laws makes it the duty of the 

 library committee to render to the Institute, at the stated meet- 

 ing previous to the annual election, a full report of its doings ; 

 in conformity thereto, the committee respectfully submit the fol- 

 lowing report : 



The annual fair of the Institute affords to most of its members 

 the means of rational enjoyment for a short period in each year. 

 The Farmers' and Polytechnic Clubs give weekly opportunities 

 to discuss much that is valuable and interesting. But the library 

 is a constant source of intellectual pleasure and improvement, 

 and a perpetual bond of union to all the members ; it is the one 

 permanent department of the Institute, and though permanent, 

 yet constantly progressive. 



The Committee take great pleasure in bringing to the knowl- 

 edge of the Institute the general reputation which the library 

 has acquired, on account of the select character of the general 

 collection ; and although the number of historical and miscella- 

 neous works called for and taken out of the library during the 

 year forms a large proportion, yet its usefulness and most bene- 

 ficial effects are found in the daily consultation of its scientific 

 works, by inventors, mechanics and professional men. 



A collection more miscellaneous and discursive might attract 

 a larger number of readers, but the objects contemplated by our 

 charter, to wit : the promotion of agriculture, commerce, manu- 

 factures and the arts, would seem to indicate the propriety of 

 giving to books connected with these and kindred subjects, the 

 first place on their catalogue. When the published works on 

 agriculture, the physical sciences, and practical mechanics, are 

 all secured, classified and arranged on our shelves, it will be 

 time enough to consider the subject of extending the list of light 

 and miscellaneous literature. 



The general policy marked out by the Committee for their 

 action during the year, was to pay less attention to the purchase 



