In recent times, New Yorkers have become accustomed to the appointment of charter revision commissions on an almost annual basis. According to a 1962 article in the Municipal Reference Library Notes by then-librarian Eugene Bockman, this is not unusual. Between 1898 and 1934 there were at least ten charter-revision commissions that examined and proposed a variety of changes in how the city operated.

This month’s edition of Library Notes included a brief bit about the reprint of the oldest charter in the Library which was issued by English Lieutenant Governor Dongan in 1686.