A detailed look at New York's state library in the 1870s, showing growth, priorities, and daily operations. This edition presents the fifty-eighth annual report, outlining how the library expanded its collections, refined its governance, and addressed funding needs while preserving historical and legal materials for public access. The book tracks a steady rise in volumes, describes the division between the general and law libraries, and highlights major acquisitions, including manuscript collections, newspapers, and inter-state exchanges. It also explains the library’s role in American genealogy and historical research, and notes practical concerns like the need for better binding funds to keep volumes usable for readers. How the library grew in size and scope from 1874 to 1875 The emphasis on historical and genealogical materials Types of acquisitions: purchases, donations, and exchanges Operational notes, including funding, binding needs, and staff roles Ideal for readers interested in 19th‑century library history, state archives, and the administration of public research collections.