A new library of stellar optical spectra

Attention is given to a new digital optical stellar library consisting of spectra covering 3510-8930 R at 11-A resolution for 72 different stellar types. These types extend over the spectral classes O-M and luminosity classes I-V. Most spectra are of solar metallicity stars but some metal-rich and metal-poor spectra are included. This new library is quantitatively compared to two previously published libraries. It offers several advantages over them: it is photometrically well-calibrated individually and consistently from star to star. Good temperature and luminosity coverage has been achieved. The incorporation of stars with well-determined temperature, metallicity, and surface gravity parameters increases the accuracy of the spectral type assigned to each composite library star.