Santa Clara.. San José.... Academy Notre Dame..

1851 3,000

1850 5,205

Pacific University.

แ

Young Men's Literary Association 1856

1,000

Sonoma...

Petaluma ... Liberty

66

Pine Grove.. Pine Grove...

Yuba.......

Marysville..

Mercantile Association.

1856 2,000

Number of libraries thirty-two, containing an aggregate of over sixtyfive thousand volumes.

One of the most gratifying evidences of the growing literary taste of the people of California is exhibited by the increase of public libraries throughout the State, and the liberality and enterprise manifested in extending their sphere of usefulness. In this respect there are but few of the older States in advance of California. An examination of the statistics of the different libraries in the United States will not only establish the truth of this assertion, but it will also exhibit the fact that, if the present ratio of increase be continued for a few years longer, California will, with the exception of the States of New York, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, present as many volumes in public libraries as any other State in the Union.

The State Library, located at Sacramento, is the oldest and most extensive library in the State. The first movement towards its establishment was made on the 22d December, 1849, by Col. J. D. Stevenson, who presented to the Legislature of the State, "for the purpose of founding a State Library, fifty volumes of valuable works." Donatious, for the same purpose, were subsequently made by Gen. T. J. Green and Col. J. C. Fremont, and on the 19th April, 1850, the State Library was permanently organized by the passage of an Act creating the office of State Librarian. The progress of the library, for the first few years of its existence, was principally confined to the contributions of the Federal Government and the exchanges from the different States, which, up to the close of the year 1852, had increased the number of volumes to a little less than two thousand. For the purpose of increasing and sustaining the State Library, the Legislature of 1852 and 1853 set apart, as a library fund, the fees of the office of Secretary of State, and authorized the Controller to add thereto, from the per diem of each member of the Legislature, five dollars. The revenue derived from these sources, up to the 30th of June, 1858, has amounted to nearly thirteen thousand dollars, which has been appropriated for the purchase of books only, the contingent expenses being provided for by special enactment, and it has enabled the directors to make extensive and important additions to the library. The increase since January, 1858, is nearly five thousand volumes, including many rare and costly works. The law department of the library numbers over four thousand volumes, including the valuable collection of works recently belonging to the San Francisco Law Association, which was purchased by the State and added thereto. Number of volumes contained in the library, October, 1858, eleven thousand. The Secretary of State is, ex officio, State Librarian, who is authorized by law to distribute the public documents, laws, journals and reports of the State, to all public libraries, institutions of learning, authors, publishers and States which he may deem important in securing an interchange and building up and improving the library of this State. The Deputy Librarian is Brice Husband.

3. THE MERCANTILE LIBRARY ASSOCIATION, SAN FRANCISCO. Established 1853. Officers: President, E. H. Washburn; Vice-President, Joseph A. Donohoe; Treasurer, Joseph M. Shotwell; Recording Secretary, Samuel Hubbard; Corresponding Secretary, B. Watkins Leigh; Directors, A. L. Tubbs, C. H. Raymond, Thomas S. Miller, Joseph S. Paxson, Julius K. Rose, Albert Miller, R. B. Swain, P. T. Southworth, Jacob Underhill; Librarian, H. H. Moore; Assistants, J. J. Tayker and D. E. Webb. This association has been carefully and ably conducted and most generously sustained by the citizens of San Francisco, and from the progress it has made during the past few years, it must soon take rank with its kindred

*For list of Library Directors, see p. 89. + See Journals of Legislature 1849-'50, pp. 46, 56, 96.

institutions in the Eastern States. The library of the association is the second in the State, numbering over ten thousand two hundred volumes of works in the different departments of literature. Connected with the library is a valuable and extensive collection of works of reference, three thousand volumes in extent, which is open to the inspection of visitors and the public in general. The amount expended for books, etc., for increase of library, during the last fiscal year, was three thousand five hundred dollars; increase of library during same period, twenty-three hundred volumes; increase of library from January, 1855, to October, 1858, six thousand volumes. The reading rooms of the association are furnished with the leading newspapers and periodicals of the United States and Europe, and contains, in addition thereto, a cabinet of specimens of mineralogy and the natural history of the State, and a numerous and valuable collection of paintings, engravings, etc. The number of members, 1,200; average number of volumes taken out monthly, 1,600. The terms of admission to the rooms and library, are five dollars initiation fee, and one dollar per month, payable quarterly. The influence of an institution of this character, properly directed, cannot be estimated; and it can scarcely be doubted that the esprit du corps of the mercantile community of the State will sustain and enlarge this association, by confiding its management to energetic and talented men, and by liberally contributing to its support.

4. LIBRARY OF SANTA CLARA COLLEGE, SAN JOSE.

The library connected with the Santa Clara College is an important, and, for its extent, one of the most valuable collections of works in the State. The theological department contains three thousand volumes, among which may be found many rare and valuable works, not contained in any other library on the Pacific coast. Valuable and extensive contributions from the Eastern States and Europe are constantly being added to the library, and every effort is made by the reverend faculty in charge thereof to increase its facilities and to maintain for it a character equal to that of the excellent institution to which it is attached. Number of volumes, October, 1858, five thousand two hundred and five.

5. ODD FELLOWS' LIBRARY ASSOCIATION, SAN FRANCISCO. Established 1853. The library of the Odd Fellows' Association contains over five thousand volumes; among which may be found a valuable collection of works on the Pacific coast, and, in addition thereto, one of the most extensive series of books on the subject of Odd Fellowship to be found in any other library in the United States. There is connected with the library a reading room, well supplied with the newspapers and periodicals of the day, also, a valuable cabinet of specimens of mineralogy, shells, etc., of California and the Pacific. The progress of this library, for the past few years, is highly creditable to the society by whose patronage it is sustained. The board of directors in charge thereof have been unceasing in their efforts to advance its prosperity and promote its usefulness.

6.

SACRAMENTO LIBRARY ASSOCIATION.

Organized 1857. Officers: President, Joseph W. Winans; Vice-President, L. A. Booth; Trustees: C. Crocker, J. G. Hyer, J. M. Frey, M. D., Leland Stanford and James Queen; Recording Secretary, R. P. Lee, Jr., Corresponding Secretary, James Langley; Treasurer, E. Mills; Librarian, S. V. Vreeland.

The objects of this association are, the establishment of a library and reading room, the collection of scientific cabinets, works of art, philosophical apparatus, and other literary and scientific purposes. Any person may become an active member by the payment of an initiation fee of five dollars and a quarterly sum of two dollars and fifty cents. Stockholders may also become members by the payment of the regular quarterly dues. The payment of one hundred dollars secures a life membership, and the right to claim two shares of stock with the privileges of a stockholder and an active member, without the payment of the quarterly dues. The shares of stock are twentyfive dollars each.

The number of volumes contained in the library is nearly five thousand, to which additions are constantly being made of the standard literature of the day. This collection of books, for so young an association, is as creditable to the liberality as it is to the literary taste of the citizens of Sacramento.

7. CALIFORNIA PIONEERS, SAN FRANCISCO.

Organized August, 1850. President, A. G. Abell; Vice-Presidents: P. A. Roach, J. B. McMinn, G. C. Yount, C. J. Fernald, L. Cunningham; Secretary, W. R. Wheaton; Treasurer, J. H. Turney; Directors, B. F. Voorhees, O. V. Sawyer, M. S. Whiting, E. F. Northam, J. G. Eastland, T. H. Blythe, J. S. Ellis. "The objects of the society are to cultivate social intercourse among its members; to collect and preserve information connected with the early settlement and subsequent conquest of the country; and to perpetuate the memory of those whose sagacity, energy and enterprise induced them to settle in the wilderness, and become the founders of a new State. The members shall be composed of two classes. To the first class, all who were residents of California prior to the first day of January, 1849, and the male descendants of all such, who were members, shall be eligible. To the second class, all who were residents of California prior to the first day of January, 1850, and the male descendants of all such, who were members, shall be eligible. Honorary members may be admitted without these qualifications, in accordance with such provisions as may be made in the by-laws. Any who may have rendered distinguished or important services to the society, the State, or the United States, may be admitted as honorary members." The register of the society shows eight hundred and thirty-six names, and seven as honorary members. The number of active, paying members may be computed at three hundred and fifty-four. Terms: City members, twelve dollars per year; country members, five dollars per year. The payment of seventy-five dollars releases a member from payment of dues, and constitutes him a lifemember. The reading rooms of the society are well supplied with the

leading newspapers and periodicals of the United States and Europe, and contain, in addition thereto, a small but well selected library. The society are in possession of numerous records and many valuable relics, connected with the early history of California, which render a visit to their rooms both interesting and instructive.

XXV.-NEWSPAPER AND PERIODICAL PRESS.

There are ninety different newspapers and periodicals published in the State of California; of which nineteen are issued daily, sixty-five weekly, two semi-monthly, and four monthly. In addition to the regular issues of these publications, four of the dailies issue weekly and steamer editions, one issues a steamer, and six issue weekly editions; of the weeklies, two issue steamer editions, making a total of one hundred and seven different publications, viz: daily, nineteen; weekly, seventy-five; semi-monthly and steamer, nine; and monthly, four. In politics, twenty-nine are Democratic, (Administration), fifteen Republican and Anti-Lecompton, and twenty-seven are independent; six are devoted to religion; two to agriculture; two to literature; one to mining; one to medicine, and seven to miscellaneous subjects. Seven are published in foreign languages-three in French, two in Spanish, one in German, and one in Chinese.

Thirty-one different publications are issued in San Francisco; four in Sacramento; three in Stockton, and two in Marysville.

1. LIST OF NEWSPAPERS AND PERIODICALS,

Published in California, with the Place and Time of Publication, Name of Publisher, Etc., Etc., October 15, 1858.