New York State Library News
For the People, the Government and the Libraries of New York State
October 1997
Legislators: Updated Aid Eases Research on State Laws
Discovering the history and intent of a New York State law just became easier with the State Library's recently updated Legislative History Tutorial. Popular among legislators and lawyers throughout the State, the tutorial tells how to trace a law when it was a bill wending its way through the legislative process. It also explains how to locate materials available for interpreting a law such as transcripts of floor debates, committee reports and hearings, and the Governor's bill and veto jackets.
The Legislative History Tutorial is available on the State Library's Web Site at: http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/leghist/. For more information, call (518) 474-5355.
Coming Events October 23. Ian Barky, researcher, discusses Matteson's picture of the Dudley Observatory inauguration. Free. 7:30 p.m. at the Albany Institute of History and Art.
November 5. Paul Grondahl, Times Union features writer, speaks about his new book, Mayor Corning: Albany Icon, Albany Enigma. Free. 8 p.m. at the Cultural Education Center in Albany.
Photo caption: Lee Stanton, Principal Librarian for Reference Services, and Meg Cairo, Associate Librarian for Acquisitions, discuss book orders.
EDITOR'S NOTE: I often wonder, as I scan the State Library's voluminous catalog, who chooses what the Library collects --- and, out of the vast number of possibilities -- how do they decide? And so one sunny summer afternoon, I stopped in at the Library and asked Lee Stanton, Principal Librarian for Reference Services, about this. In his consistently genial manner, he gave me some fascinating answers:
"The choices are hard," Stanton said. I could simply refer you to our publication, 'Collection Development Policy of the New York State Library,' but that is a blueprint for collecting in an ideal world, where libraries are showered with all the money they need to fulfill their patrons' requests. In reality, with shrinking funds, we face a bigger challenge every year."
Stanton explained that the State Library collects in four major areas: (1) Law and Social Sciences; (2) Science, Technology, and Business; (3) Medicine; and (4) Humanities and Generalities, plus Manuscripts and Special Collections, which receives a small allocation for purchases but collects mainly through gifts. Purchases are determined by the Collection Development Committee made up of librarians representing each of these areas.
"Based on requests, we set up a profile in each subject area," said Stanton, "but we also have to consider how much money is allocated. "The biggest chunk of money goes to Law and Social Sciences because the biggest number of our clients are attorneys and people who make public policy. But every librarian on the Committee makes a strong case for his or her subject area; this can lead to very spirited discussions."
Inflation exacerbates the pain of budget cuts. "Over 80 percent of the money used in collecting is spent on serials -- periodicals such as the Journal of the American Medical Association," said Stanton. "Although general inflation is estimated at 3 percent, the cost of journals goes up 10-15 percent each year. As a result of this 'pincer's movement,' created by smaller allocations and double digit inflation, serials could squeeze out books, and take over the whole budget. And so every year, we have to limit serials. We removed the fat years ago; now we are cutting into the meat and bone. Making these increasingly difficult choices means more research by a smaller staff. Personal judgment is often involved, but we do follow policy, too."
State Library policy aims the collections somewhere between general materials found at public libraries and some highly specialized items (which the State Library obtains on request) held by other research libraries throughout the world. The major criterion for acquisition is research value. Emphasis is often placed on the history and culture of New York State. The cost of cataloging, storage, and preservation is another factor. The State Library also collects materials on under-documented topics such as women or African Americans and other under-represented ethnic groups.
"Then, of course," said Stanton, "there are the logistics of buying it, paying for it, and keeping track of it. That's a complex matter handled by the Acquisitions Unit."
Photo caption: This view of Haines Falls in the Catskills is one of the thousands of scenes depicted in the State Library's postcard collection.
Picture postcards, those neat little illustrated missives travelers send to the folks back home, have always been popular among collectors. But during the first two decades of the 20th century, after the advent of rural free delivery, people became obsessed with saving these mementos. Examples of these postcards, and thousands printed before and after this craze swept the nation, reside in the State Library's postcard collection. Numbering about 27,000, they provide visual clues to the history of places throughout the world and especially of New York State. If you are looking for views of New York City or Niagara Falls, you will find many; and there are scenes from less-frequented locales such as Albion, Peterboro, and Unadilla, too. Researchers and postcard fans will also enjoy the souvenir folders of postcards issued by once famous tourist spots and a special group featuring libraries throughout the United States.
For a brief history of postcards and a detailed listing of the collection, access the Library's home page: http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/msscfa/qc16510.htm. For more information or to donate postcards to the collection, call Jim Corsaro at (518) 474-5963.
Visit the State Library's Web Site http://www.nysl.nysed.gov
Search Excelsior, our online catalog of holdings, and access national and regional databases.
Click in and find help if you're:
Once upon a time, the doctor was king, and the patient followed orders. Only a few people were bold enough to ask about causes and alternatives. Today, however, many patients actively participate in decisions affecting their health. With the increasing complexity of medicine, and the limits to how much time doctors can spend with each individual, more people are turning to libraries for information about health care.
Attuned to this trend, the State Library is beefing up its medical information program by making health information more accessible. A boon to health professionals and the people they treat, a new service, which began August 18, means you can now link into Medline's nine million citations and related databases in the fields of medicine, nursing, dentistry, veterinary medicine, health care systems, and the preclinical sciences.
To check out this new service at http://www.nysl.nysed.gov, use your web browser, go to your local library, or visit the State Library.
Looking for places to launch your boat? Or perhaps you're doing a market survey and need to know where people live and what they're like. The State Library's Geographic Information System is a tool for obtaining this and vast amounts of other information.
Generally referred to as GIS, the system provides geographic information in several formats. You can obtain maps, for example, that pinpoint the State's earthquakes back to 1737, or that identify areas where minority voters are gaining clout. Some maps enable the viewer to explore relationships among different features. One project, for example, involves overlaying boundaries of school districts and state legislative districts. You can also obtain data in a tabular format that can be applied to spreadsheets or used in other ways.
To find out about using this exciting new resource, call Terry Strasser or Mary Woodward at (518) 474-2274.
Send comments and questions about the State Library and its newsletter to Mary Redmond, New York State Library, Cultural Education Center, Albany, NY 12230.
New York State Library News is produced by The Committee for the New York State Library and the New York State Library to inform New Yorkers about collections and services of their State Library.
Editor: Miriam S. Soffer
This newsletter is not published at State expense.
Reap the Benefits of Membership
Join the Friends of the New York State Library. In addition to the deep satisfactions of preserving your heritage and sustaining a world renowned public research library, you can obtain special discounts at local book stores.
$100,000 Bequest Boosts Study of New York History
Photo caption: Anna K. Cunningham (left), and Mary E. Cunningham (right)
In life and in death, the Cunningham sisters made a difference. They helped immeasurably to make our rich historical tradition accessible to all. Mary E. Cunningham was a founder and the first editor of American Heritage, a beautifully illustrated history magazine that brings scholarly articles to a popular audience. She also founded The Yorkers, a statewide program involving young New Yorkers in the State's history. Her sister, Anna K. Cunningham, was Supervisor of Historic Sites of New York State at the time of her retirement and served on the boards and councils of numerous state and national historic preservation organizations.
On behalf of herself and her sister, Anna Cunningham, who died in 1996, left $100,000 to the New York State Library. The gift, to be used to help support the State Library's Research Residency Program, will provide financial assistance to scholars writing about New York State history. Called the Anna K. Cunningham and Mary E. Cunningham Trust Fund, the endowment celebrates not only the importance of New York history, but also the intelligence and generosity of two outstanding New York women.
"There may only be one way to resist a turkey, but there are dozens of ways to stuff it." (The Times Record, November 19, 1953).
If October's here, can the holidays be far behind? Add a new tradition to your Thanksgiving dinner with help from "A Traditional Thanksgiving". Published by Friends of the New York State Newspaper Project, this cookbook features recipes from 1853 to 1953 Capitol District newspapers. The 43-page black and white illustrated paperback tells how Grandmother made cranberry chiffon pie, toothsome mincemeat, and every kind of stuffing you can imagine, accompanied by a wide variety of other mouth-watering dishes.
Weather forecasts and headlines published on the same day as recipes, along with cooks' tart comments infuse the holiday with the flavor of history. The book's pages are also peppered with ads for Thanksgiving morning cartoon festivals at movie theatres. They show how Mothers kept kids from underfoot -- BTV (Before Television). All seats were 25 cents.
To order your copy of "A Traditional Thanksgiving" send a check or money order for $4 to Friends of the New York State Newspaper Project, PO Box 2402, Albany, NY 12220 with your name, address, and zip code, and the name of the publication. Proceeds from this cook book will help the Newspaper Project preserve historic newspapers for research.
Monday through Friday
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information, call (518) 474-5355 or e-mail refserv@mail.nysed.gov
New York State Library News is produced by The Committee for the New York State Library and the New York State Library to inform New Yorkers about collections and services of their State Library.
Editor: Miriam S. Soffer
This newsletter is not published at State expense.
New York State Library News
New York State Library
N.Y.S. Education Department
Albany, NY 12230