Henry Augustus Homes. 



11 



notable attendant, and the proceedings will often show the distin- 

 guished part he took and the important contributions he rendered. 

 Dr. Homes was, in essential particulars, a scholar. In his early life 

 he had acquired those habits of scholarly investigation which he 

 maintained up to the end. He was accurate in his thought and his 

 statement, and always had a very positive and decided opinion upon 

 any question on which he had taken the trouble to make up his mind. 



From the nature of his occupation he wag a librarian. His mind 

 took that bent early in life. In addition to the accurate knowledge 

 which he had of some books, he had a workman's familiarity with all 

 books. To him a book had its place not only on the shelves of the 

 student, to be by him used in the daily routine of his life, but also 

 its place in a permanent collection, where its use might be rare and 

 unusual. Much study has been bestowed on the arrangement and cata- 

 loguing of books so as to make them available with the least expendi- 

 ture of time and with the greatest advantage. Among those who had 

 devoted thought to this problem, Dr. Homes was easily one of the 

 chief. The New York State library has grown to be what it now is 

 largely through his wise and persistent efforts. He had charge of 

 the general library for about thirty years. With one exception he was 

 the senior of all the persons who at the time of his death were in the 

 service of the State. He began his service in 1854, and two years after 

 this, in 1856, the library contained in the general library 30,111 

 volumes, and in the lata library 13,623 volumes; in all 43,734 volumes. 

 At Dr. Homes' death in the autumn of 1887, there were in the general 

 library 94,526 volumes, and in the law library 39,867 volumes, in all 

 134,393 volumes. Of this increase it is safe to say that every volume 

 in the general library came under his personal attention and received 

 his approval. 



During this time the Legislature appropriated for the purchase of 

 books till 1883 the sum of $4,000 each year. Since 1883 the appro- 

 priation has been $5,000 a year. Out of this sum provision is made 

 for the increase not only of the general library but of the law library. 

 A large part of this appropriation is required in both departments to 

 keep up the serial publications, which form a material and important 

 part of every library. During the last year ending October 1, 1887. 

 the sum of about $500 was expended for serials in the general library 

 and $925 in the law library, making in all about $1,425 out of the 

 entire appropriation of $5,000. It is plain that the sum available for 

 the purchase of ordinary books for a growing collection like the State 

 library is exceedingly meagre, and the steady and continuous growth 



