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IX.-THE LmRARY.
The foundation of the Library dates from the open·
ing of the College in 1849. Its first Librarian was the
well-known archreologist, J ames Hardiman, the author
of the" History of Galway." It c€lntains an extensive
and valuable collection of books and journals, to
which constant additions of the most recent standard
works are made out of a yearly grant of £305 given
L.v the Governing Body.
The Library is over 150 feet in length, extending
along the first floor of the north side of the College,
and contains a large hall where accommodation is
provided for readers, a reading-room for the Professors,
and a private room for the Librarian.
The number of volumes amounts to about 40,000.
The Library Catalogue is divided into nineteen
departments. The authors are given in each department
in alphabetical order, with numerous crossreferences.
The large collection of journals, both
English and foreign, is particularly valuable for researeh
students, as they contain numerous important
articles on special subjects.
A most interesting manuscript in the possession of
the Library is the collection of the ancient Corporation
books of the City of Galway, dating from the year
1486, the first year of its incorporation, up to the beginning
of the nineteenth century.
It also contains a map (of which. only two copies
are extant) made in 1651, by order of the Marquis of
Clanricarde, to illustrate the extent and importance
of the town. A poetical description in Latin reminds
liS of the former splendour of Galway-
" Bis urbis septem defendunt maenia tUl'res
lutus, et ex dura est marmare quaeque damus."
The Library is open to Members of the College and
to others living in the province of Connacht, on conditions
set forth in the Library regulations, a copy of
which will be sent to intending borrowers on application
to the Librarian of the College.
James Hardiman Library, NUI Galway