Aimed at expanding and strengthening a major university library, this 19th‑century report details a committee’s efforts to assess Harvard College Library and propose practical steps for its growth.
The book gathers the voices of faculty, librarians, and alumni, outlining the library’s current holdings, the gaps in access to modern works, and the need for steady funding. It includes committee actions, verbatim statements, and a series of persuasive letters that illuminate the pressures of keeping a large academic library in step with contemporary scholarship.
- An in‑depth look at the library’s size, funding, and the impact of limited resources on student and faculty access.
- Firsthand descriptions of departmental wants in Latin, Greek, history, philology, and more, with suggested priorities for purchases.
- Discussion of the role of periodicals, bibliographies, and rare prints in supporting scholarly work.
- Context for mid‑19th‑century debates about library governance, philanthropy, and university ideals.
Ideal for readers of library history, 19th‑century education, and Harvard’s academic heritage.