The Navy Department Library


History of the Navy Department Library
The origins of the Navy Department Library date to 31 March 1800, when President John Adams wrote to the first Secretary of the Navy, Benjamin Stoddert, requesting that he establish a library for the Navy, and :

...It ought to consist of all the best writing in Dutch, Spanish, French, and especially the English, upon the theory and practice of naval architecture, navigation, gunnery, hydraulics, hydrostatics, and all branches of mathematics, subservient to the profession of the sea. The lives of all admirals, English, French, Dutch or any other nation, who have distinguished themselves by the boldness and success of their navigation or gallantry and skill in naval combat.

In accordance with President Adams' wishes, a collection of 200 books was assembled. Many of these original titles are still part of the Library's holdings.

The collection now includes more than 200,000 volumes with continued emphasis on naval history. In 1882 efforts to consolidate different library office and bureau collections resulted in Public Act No. 217 which mandated library consolidation. This ensured only one library in each department.

Professor James Russel Soley, who later became Assistant Secretary of the Navy, was assigned as officer-in-charge of the newly consolidated library. His diligence and foresight enabled the Library to collect and maintain many important and valuable books and materials. In 1895 the library became a Federal Depository Library.

The Library has had several locations during its 196-year history. The most famous and prestigious setting being the Indian Treaty Room in the State, War, and Navy Building, known today as the Old Executive Office Building.

After the Second World War the Library relocated to the Main Navy Building on the Mall.

It moved to the Washington Navy Yard in 1970 and is now located on the first floor of the Naval Historical Center, Buildings 44 and 108.
Last Update: 1 October 96