Dudley Observatory Library

The Dudley Observatory Library Collections of 19th and early 20th century scientific publications together with the records of the observatory itself - both manuscript and printed - provide a record of astronomical endeavors during an important era of general scientific activity. Researchers who have found it have been amazed by the wealth of information available to them. It is the current aim of the observatory to preserve and to protect this resource, as well as to make the collections better known in the international research community. The monograph collection includes many early library acquisitions, verifiable through early accession lists and a card catalog from the turn of the century, that reflect the state of scientific research and sources from that period.

This resource in the history of astronomy is divided into several sections.

Library

-- 400 linear feet. The monograph collection includes titles on astronomy, the history of astronomy and astrophysics, and those titles having significant connection with the Dudley Observatory.
Book Catalog (794KB PDF file)

 

Rare Books

-- 60 linear feet.The rare books comprise an extraordinary collection of early astronomical works. These books represent some of the seminal works in astronomy and include early editions of Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler, Newton, Gauss and many others. This collection was begun by Benjamin A. Gould, Jr., Dudley's first Director and a collector of rare books. Several of Gould's letters found in the Dudley Archives mention his attending book auctions or his purchasing rare books. The 15th, 16th and 17th astronomical works in this collection represent seminal works in their fields. An exhibit featuring some examples of these books was held at the Schenectady Museum in April, 2000.
Rare Book Catalog (345KB PDF file)

 

Gould Collection

-- 60 linear feet. The astronomical books belonging to Benjamin A. Gould, Jr. form a separate collection within the Library. The Gould collection retains the characteristics of a typical 19th century working astronomical library and has been used by researchers and historians of astronomy.Gould Collection Catalog (173KB PDF file)

 

Journals

-- 754 linear feet.  The journal collection can be divided into three parts
a) the current collection still being received
b) the historic collection of closed subscriptions dating from the late 19th century
c) the "rare" journals (pre-1800.)
Journal Catalog (369KB PDF file)

 

Observatory Publications

-- 298 linear feet. Observatories have had exchange policies on their publications from the nineteenth century. Most of this collection has been amassed by Dudley in exchange for Dudley's publications.Observatory Pubs Catalog (124KB PDF file)

 

Pamphlet Collection

-- 50 linear feet This un-cataloged collection contains pamphlets and reprints on numerous astronomical subjects dating from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Inventory

 

Collecting policy

Dudley presently limits its acquisitions to:

* Journals and monographs in the history of astronomy or astrophysics

* The history of the Dudley Observatory and the astronomers who worked there

* Current materials on astronomy, imaging, and eduction

 

Access policy

The Dudley Observatory Library and Archives are open by appointment to the public and  researchers. Items in the library collection can be borrowed by special arrangement with the Archivist. The collection is catalogued on OCLC through the Capital District Library Council and is available for interlibrary loan with the exceptions of rare and fragile materials.

 

Reference services are available through e-mail (info@dudleyobservatory.org) and telephone (518-382-7583.) Dudley Observatory's rare book collection is currently housed in Special Collections at Union College and is available subject to their access conditions.