Collection

The American Kennel Club maintains one of the world’s largest libraries devoted to dogs, the development of purebred dogs and the sport and enjoyment of dogs. Open to the public, the Library’s mission is to serve as a public reference collection and archive on matters relating to purebred dogs and the various roles they play in our lives. The Library presently contains approximately 18,000 volumes including foreign and domestic stud books and bound periodicals. In addition there are extensive collections of videos, stamps and bookplates as well as vertical files of clippings and magazine articles. Bound volumes of the AKC GAZETTE, the official publication of the American Kennel Club from 1889 to the present, as well as all AKC Stud Books are also easily accessible to researchers.

History

The American Kennel Club Library was “officially” established by the AKC Board of Directors in April 1934. A Board-appointed committee, chaired by the noted artist and Scottish Terrier fancier, Edwin Megargee, and guided by David Wagstaff, the noted bibliophile and field trial pioneer, shaped the Library’s growth until 1958. Since that time, the library’s management has been a function of AKC staff. Starting with approximately 50 books, the collection has grown tremendously over the years through donations and acquisitions. A unique bookplate to designate library holdings was designed by Megargee in 1936 and has been in use since that time.

Books

The main subject categories are individual breeds, care, training, behavior and breeding. There are also titles on field sports involving dogs, the various useful occupations dogs perform and the canine representation in art, literature and history. The collection boasts such notable works as Johannes Caius’ De Canibus Britannicis, the first book to attempt to establish a scientific classification scheme for dogs, a facsimile of The Boke of St. Albans, the first book in the English language to discuss emerging breed types and their functionality, as well as The Dog and the Sportsman by John Stuart Skinner, the first sporting book about dogs published in America.

The Library also contains book collections from prominent dog fanciers such as Geraldine Rockefeller Dodge, Harry T. Peters, John W. Cross, Alva Rosenberg, Major and Beatrice Godsol, Tom Stevenson and Dorothy Howe.

Periodicals & Newspapers

The Library receives over 200 periodicals and newspapers from around the world. Among these are general all-breed magazines and newspapers, breed specific publications, obedience and performance magazines, rare-breed and foreign journals as well as humane society and pet-oriented publications.

Electronic Media

There are over 350 videos and DVDs in the collection. These include all of the AKC programs as well as tapes from other sources on topics such as grooming, training, breeding and dog shows. The library’s catalog provides access to the Internet.

Catalog

The Library has a public access catalog which is available over the Internet. It can be both searched and browsed by author, title or subject. In addition, there is an on-site index of Gazette articles by subject.

Services

A primary activity of the Library is answering requests for information that go beyond the scope of the AKC or are historical in nature. The Library also helps out with information that cannot be researched by other AKC departments. The Library is service oriented, and the staff makes every attempt to provide as much information as possible. Although the Library can provide information about responsible care, keeping and training of dogs in order to assist patrons in making educated choices, the AKC does not recommend or endorse specific programs or organizations. Photocopying is available at a nominal fee. If staff time is available, extensive research projects are charged an hourly fee.

Circulation

The Library is open to the public for reference purposes only. Books, magazines and media do not circulate.

Staff

A staff of one manages the collection and greets hundreds of guests yearly in addition to servicing many telephone, letter and e-mail inquiries.

General Information

Topics and items most frequently requested are:

* Information about the American Kennel Club and its many licensed/sanctioned events: dog shows, field trials, tracking tests, obedience trials, hunting tests, lure coursing, herding, coonhound, agility and earthdog events

* Subject bibliographies of books in the AKC Library

* Information on responsible care and ownership of dogs

* Tips on selecting breeds and breeders

* Information about rare breeds

AKC Mission Statement

The American Kennel Club is dedicated to upholding the integrity of its Registry, promoting the sport of pure-bred dogs and breeding for type and function. Founded in 1884, the AKC and its affiliated organizations advocate for the purebred dog as a family companion, advance canine health and well-being, work to protect the rights of all dog owners and promote responsible dog ownership.

Hours

The Library is open to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. Appointments are suggested if there are special research needs.

THE AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB LIBRARY
260 Madison Avenue (4th floor)
New York, NY 10016
library@akc.org
212-696-8245 * 212-696-8281 (fax)
www.akc.org/about/library/
(Online Catalog)