John Shaw Billings records, 1885-1915.

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Creator

New York Public Library. Central Administration. Director's Office.

Location

Manuscripts and Archives Division

Extent

• 41 linear feet (48 boxes, 70 volumes).

Scope/Contents Note

Collection documents Billings' seventeen years as Director,from 1896 to 1913. Bulk of the collection consists of incoming and outgoing letters and internal memoranda, mostly concerning library matters such as the purchase andexchange of books and other materials, the hiring and termination of employees, and finances. Most of the early correspondence has been lost. There are also architecturalsketches and drawings, minutes of staff meetings, card files, and catalogs. Also includes materials of Edwin H. Anderson, Assistant Director and Acting Director after thedeath of Billings. Anderson's records as Assistant Director contain information about the N.Y. Child Welfare Exhibit of 1911.

Biographical/Historical Note

John Shaw Billings (1838-1913) combined careers in both medicine and library science. He served as a U.S. Army surgeon and was responsible for creating the nation's foremost medical library - now the National Library of Medicine. He served as special advisor to the Trustees ofJohns Hopkins Hospital in planning and organizing that institution. After retiring from the Army in 1895, Billings was named the first Director of the New York Public Library. He helped create the N.Y.P.L. by combiningthe Astor and Lenox Libraries into a public research library and building a branch library system for three of the boroughs of New York City (Manhattan, Staten Island and the Bronx.) Billings assumed responsibility for most acquisitions of library materials and personally built up the collections. He also planned and oversaw the constuction of the Central Library Building which was opened to the public in 1911.

Controlled Access Terms

• Billings, John S. (John Shaw), 1838-1913.
• Anderson, Edwin Hatfield, 1861-1947.
• Astor Library.
• Lenox Library.
• New York Public Library. Central Administration. Director's Office.
• Libraries -- History -- 19th century.
• Libraries -- New York (State) -- New York.
• Research libraries -- New York (State) -- New York.
• Public libraries -- Administration -- New York (State) -- New York.
• Library buildings -- New York (State) -- New York.
• Branch libraries -- New York (State) -- New York.
• Research libraries -- Acquisitions.
• Minutes.
• Architectural drawings.
• Librarians.

Additional Creator Name

• (CStRLIN)NYPW92-A12