Research

Scope and Content Note

This series documents the process of chartering and registering libraries. The records are arranged alphabetically by town and include application forms, reports, correspondence, questionnaires, memos, copies of provisional and absolute charters, and related materials. In general, the records provide evidence that the libraries meet Regents and State Education Department standards to be chartered and/or registered. The records provide extensive information on the history and development of community library services.

The master set of files consists of the original records documenting the chartering and registration process from the mid-nineteenth century through 2000. Because virtually all pre-1911 records were destroyed in the State Capitol fire of that year, the pre-1911 records in these files are typically copies of those records which the Division of Library Development was subsequently able to obtain from the public libraries or from the State Board Regents minutes.

The following types of libraries are represented in the series: 1) County, city, town, village public libraries; 2) Central or union free school district public libraries; 3) Indian libraries; 4) Special district public libraries; and 5) Free association libraries.

One file in the series is from a library outside of New York State: the Stilston Library, St. John's, Antigua, British West Indies. The University of the State of New York has the statutory power to charter education corporations and to "admit" them to the University. A few of those corporations operate beyond the boundaries of the state.