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diff --git a/old/64560-0.txt b/old/64560-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index a51be47..0000000 --- a/old/64560-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,14414 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of How to plan a library building for library -work, by Charles C. Soule - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: How to plan a library building for library work - -Author: Charles C. Soule - -Release Date: February 14, 2021 [eBook #64560] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -Produced by: Charlene Taylor, Adrian Mastronardi and the Online - Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This - file was produced from images generously made available by The - Internet Archive) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HOW TO PLAN A LIBRARY BUILDING FOR -LIBRARY WORK *** - - - - - -USEFUL REFERENCE SERIES NO. 7 - -How to Plan a Library Building for Library Work - - - - -Prelude - - - Every public building should express, with dignity - Its individual type, use, place, and era. - - A library is a prominent public building - As practical and technical as a schoolhouse; - A workshop for the future, not a relic of the past. - Seldom rich enough for its needs, it abhors waste. - Change and growth will soon supplant it. - Build it for use, not show; for now, not for ever:— - Tastefully, tactfully, thriftily, thoroughly. - - To plan it, find an able librarian, - To construct it, get a skillful architect, - To control both, choose a wise committee. - These three, by patient study and debate, - Can satisfy taste without sacrificing use— - Achieving complete and felicitous success. - - - - - HOW TO PLAN - A LIBRARY BUILDING - FOR LIBRARY WORK - - By CHARLES C. SOULE - A.B. Harv. 1862 - - _Firmitas, Utilitas, Venustas_ - —VITRUVIUS DE ARCHITECTURA - - BOSTON - THE BOSTON BOOK COMPANY - 1912 - - COPYRIGHT, 1912 - BY CHARLES C. SOULE - - _The Riverdale Press, Brookline, Boston, Mass._ - - - - - To - The Architect - who is the Librarian’s best friend - when they plan together - a sound, useful and beautiful building - this volume is inscribed - - - - -EDITORIAL PREFACE - - -Of the author of this volume it was said by President Hill at the 1906 A. -L. A. Conference, “he has given the subject of Library Architecture more -thought and attention, probably, than any other member.” - -Mr. Soule is well known to older librarians. To introduce him to a -younger generation and to architects, we would say that although he is a -publisher and bookseller, and not professionally a librarian, he has had -an effective training in library science. He joined the American Library -Association in 1879, became at once a working member, has attended twenty -Conferences, and has been elected to office, as follows: - - 1888-1899—Trustee of the Brookline (Mass.) Public Library. - 1890-1908—Publishing Board, A. L. A. - 1890—Vice-president. - 1893-1896, 1900-1905—Member of the Council. - 1894-1906—Trustee Endowment Fund. - 1906-1912—Member of the Institute. - -In 1890, when a prominent trustee had been quoted as saying, “it was no -use consulting librarians about building, for no two of them agree on -any one point,” he wrote, and the 1890 Conference unanimously adopted, -“Points of Agreement among Librarians on Library Architecture.” - -In 1892 he published in the Boston press an exhaustive series of nine -letters, taking the side of the librarians of the country against what -they thought to be radical errors in the management and building of the -Boston Public Library. - -In 1901 he wrote the article “Library,” for Sturgis’s Dictionary of -Architecture. - -In 1902 he wrote the A. L. A. tract on “Library Rooms and Buildings.” - -For forty active years in business as a bookseller, he has handled and -issued books. - -For over thirty years of membership in the A. L. A. he has been intimate -with leading librarians. - -In the Boston controversy, he felt obliged to investigate thoroughly -every point he criticized on behalf of the librarians. - -When elected as a trustee in Brookline he found a very conservative board -at the time the new developments of library progress were slowly gaining -ground, and had to go to the bottom of every new method before the board -could be persuaded to try it. - -During the last five years Mr. Soule has frequently been called on as -an expert, and has been through all the detail of building problems of -several different grades. - -All this educated him in such a school of experience that Mr. Dewey thus -spoke of him at one of the A. L. A. Conferences: “When people ask who are -the most active and efficient librarians in America we are almost sure to -name two or three men who are not librarians at all; for instance, R. R. -Bowker and C. C. Soule.” - -After such experience, we can commend what the author has to say, to -respectful attention. - -Illustrations have been suggested, but have not been included in this -volume lest they should increase the bulk and price too much. If they are -asked for, we will issue a separate volume of illustrative plates. - - FREDERICK W. FAXON, - _Editor Useful Reference Series_. - - - - -AUTHOR’S PREFACE - - -On being asked to write on “Library Architecture” for this series -I hesitated, knowing little about the subject except as applied to -the insides of libraries. But on this limited branch I have had some -experience which I am willing to embody under the narrower title -finally chosen, for the benefit of librarians, architects, and building -committees. I even venture to hope some chapters may get to the notice of -trustees, donors, and other citizens interested in libraries. - -The themes of this volume are: - - Preëminence of utility over display. - The practical nature of library work. - The importance and variety of its details. - Their differentiation from other kinds of work. - The vital need of consulting library experts. - -The treatment adopted is, to cover every point and touch on every detail -involved in building a large library of any class. I hope that readers -interested in lesser libraries, even those of small grades, may be able -to pick out hints to help them, or at least to look ahead to growth and -larger problems yet to come. - -I have not undertaken to discuss methods of library work, and only -allude to them so far as they affect construction. Nor have I undertaken -to recommend specific makes of furniture or fittings, although I have -felt free in a few instances to suggest principles which should govern -selection. - -I have not trusted entirely to experience or to advice received from -librarians and architects; but wishing to treat thoroughly so momentous -a subject, I have spent six months in search through all authorities in -England as well as in America, including back volumes of the library -periodicals. I did not expect to get much help from England, where -methods differ from ours, but I find the transatlantic writers are so -thoroughly in accord with us as to the need of expert advice in planning, -that I have cited their views copiously. - -To all these sources, and to countless friends, I am so indebted for -suggestions and advice that I look on myself as an editor of professional -opinion, rather than as an original author. But I assume responsibility, -while rendering sincere thanks to all authorities quoted or unquoted. - -Within the limit of one volume it has been possible only to sketch -principles without describing details under every subject as in a manual. -I have been asked to illustrate this volume with views and plans, but -the publishers find that this would double its size and price. They -have therefore decided to wait and test the actual demand by inquiry. If -enough purchasers wish a second volume, one will be issued. - -For my general principles I expect endorsement from all librarians. As -to details, I do not ask so much for endorsement as for criticism—not -mere fault-finding, but helpful constructive criticism, pointing out -something better than is herein advocated. If interest and discussion -are stimulated, and library science is thereby in any degree advanced, I -shall feel that my work has not been wasted. - - CHARLES C. SOULE. - -BROOKLINE, MASS. - - - - -WORKS CITED - - - Abbreviation - - Adams, Herbert B. Adams - Public Libraries and Popular Education. - Albany, N. Y., 1900. - - Billings, Dr. John S. Billings V. & H. - On Ventilation and Heating. - New York, 1893. - - Boston School Document No. 14. - See Report of Oculists. - - Bostwick, Arthur E. Bostw. - The American Public Library. - New York, 1910. - - Brochure Series of Architectural Illustration. Brochure. - Vols. 1-9. - Boston, 1895-1903. - - Brown. See Duff-Brown. - - Burgoyne, F. J. Burg. - Library Construction, etc. - London, 1897. - - Champneys, A. I. Champ. - Public Libraries. - London, 1907. - - Clark, John Willis. Clark. - Care of Books. - Cambridge (Eng.), 1901. - - Cotgreave, Alfred. Cotgr. - Views, etc., of Public Libraries. - London, 1901. - - Cravath & Lansingh. C. & L. - Practical Illumination. - New York, 1907. - - Dana, John Cotton. Dana, L. Prim. - Library Primer. - Chicago, 1910. - - Dana, John Cotton. Dana, L. Prob. - Library Problems. - No date. - - Duff-Brown, James. Duff-Brown or D. B. - Manual of Library Economy. - London, 1907. - - Eastman, William R. Eastm. - Library Building Plans. - Albany, N. Y., 1906. - - Edwards, Edward. Edw. - Free Town Libraries. - London, 1869. - - Fletcher, William L. Fletch. - Public Libraries in America. - Boston, 1894. - - Garnett, Dr. Richard. Garnett. - Essays in Librarianship, etc. - London, 1899. - - International Library Conference (Second). Int. Lib. Conf. - London, 1907. - - Koch, Theodore W. Koch. - Portfolio of Carnegie Libraries. - Ann Arbor, Mich., 1907. - - Librarian (The). Libn. - Vols. 1-2. - London, 1910-12. - - Library (The). Libr. - I, vols. 1-10; II, 1-10; III, 1-3. - London, 1889-1912. - - Library Assistant. Lib. Asst. - Vols. 1-9. - London, 1898-1912. - - Library Association Record. Lib. Ass. Rec. - Vols. 1-14. - London, 1899-1912. - - Library Chronicle. Lib. Chron. - Vols. 1-5. - London, 1884-1888. - - Library Journal. L. J. - Vols. 1-37. - New York, 1876-1912. - - Library Notes. Lib. No. - Vols. 1-4. - Boston, 1887-1898. - - Library World. L. W. - 14 vols. - London, 1898-1912. - - Marvin, Miss Cornelia. Marv. - Small Library Buildings. - Boston, 1908. - - Massachusetts Free Public Library Commission: Mass. P. L. 1899. - Ninth Report. - Boston, 1899. - - Public Libraries. P. L. - Vols. 1-17. - Chicago, 1896-1912. - - Public Libraries in the United States. P. L., 1876. - Special Report, Superintendent of Education. Part 1. - Washington, 1876. - - Report of Oculists and Electricians. Bost. Sc. Doc. No. 14. - School Board Document, No. 14. - Boston, 1907. - - Sturgis’s Dictionary of Architecture, etc. Sturgis. - New York, 1901. - - - - -CONTENTS - - - Page - - =Book A—Introduction= 1 - - EVOLUTION OF LIBRARY BUILDING 3 - - The Dawn of History 3 - - Ancient History 4 - - Mediæval History 6 - - Modern History 10 - - Our Own Era 13 - - Forecasting the Years 16 - The Present 16 - The Next Quarter Century 16 - - _Firmitas_, _Utilitas_, _Venustas_ 19 - - _Firmitas_ 20 - - _Utilitas_ 21 - - _Venustas_ 22 - - Is There an Irrepressible Conflict? 25 - - Library Science 27 - - Architecture 29 - - Where does the Library Come in? 31 - - What Conflict is Possible? 32 - - What Contest is Likely? 34 - - Where Lies the Blame? 35 - - Grades and Classes 36 - - Small Library Buildings 38 - Minimum 38 - Small 42 - - Moderate and Medium Libraries 44 - - Very Large Buildings 45 - - CLASSES OF LIBRARIES 47 - - Private and Club 47 - - Proprietary, Institutional 49 - - Professional 51 - Scientific 51 - Medical 52 - Theological 52 - Special and Business 52 - Law 54 - - Government and Historical 56 - - National 56 - - State 56 - - Historical 58 - - Antiquarian 59 - - Educational 60 - School 60 - College 61 - University 61 - - Public 65 - Central 65 - Branch 67 - Suburban 70 - - Exceptional Cases 71 - Middle of Blocks 71 - Top Floors 71 - With Museums or Art Galleries 72 - Alterations and Enlargements 73 - Altering New Buildings 74 - - =Book B—Principles= 77 - - Spirit of Planning 79 - - Taste, Tact, Thrift, Thoroughness 81 - - Economy Paramount 83 - - Economy of Expert Advice 87 - - Problem Always New 89 - - Plan Inside First 90 - - Never Copy Blindly 92 - - Study other Libraries 94 - - The Life of a Library Building 97 - - The Time to Build 99 - - Size and Cost 102 - Cutting down Cost 104 - - Open Access 107 - - Light, Warmth, Fresh Air 108 - - Faults to Look For 109 - - Frankness among Librarians 110 - - Service and Supervision 112 - - Decoration, Ornament 114 - - Architectural Styles 117 - - Amateurs Dangerous 120 - - Dry-rot Deadening 121 - - =Book C—Personnel= 123 - - The Public 125 - - Place of the Library Among Buildings 128 - - The Donor 130 - - The Institution 133 - - The Trustees 134 - - The Building Committee 136 - - Free Advice 137 - - The Local Librarian as an Expert 141 - - The Library Adviser 143 - - Selecting an Architect 146 - - A Word to the Architect 150 - - Which Should Prevail? 152 - - Architectural Competitions 154 - - Judges of Competition 158 - - Order of Work 159 - - =Book D—Features= 163 - - Site 165 - - Provision for Growth 168 - Exterior 169 - Interior 169 - Limitations 170 - - Approaches, Entrances 172 - - Halls and Passages 175 - - Stairs 176 - - Stories and Rooms 179 - - Walls: Ceilings: Partitions 183 - - Floors and Floor Coverings 185 - - Roofs: Domes 187 - - Alcoves: Galleries 189 - - Light 191 - - Light, Natural 193 - - Windows 196 - - Light, Artificial 201 - - Indirect Lighting 205 - - Heating and Ventilation 209 - - Plumbing, Drains, Sewers 215 - - Cleanliness 217 - - Protection from Enemies 219 - - Fireproof Vaults 223 - - Central Spaces 224 - - Lifts and Elevators 228 - - Mechanical Carriers 230 - - Telephones and Tubes 232 - - =Book E—Departments and Rooms= 233 - - PART I.—ADMINISTRATION ROOMS 235 - - Trustees 237 - - Librarian 239 - - Other Staff Quarters 241 - - Public Waiting 242 - - Stenographers 243 - - Place for Catalog Cases 244 - - Cataloguing Rooms 246 - - Delivery 248 - - Janitor 251 - - Binding and Printing 253 - - Branch Service 256 - - Comfort 257 - - Sanitary Facilities 259 - - Vehicles 260 - - PART II.—BOOK STORAGE 261 - - Shelving, generally 262 - - Shelves in Reading Rooms 269 - - Wall-shelving 271 - - Floor Cases 273 - - Radial Cases 274 - - Shelf Capacity 277 - - The Poole Plan 278 - - Stacks generally 280 - - The Stack Shell 283 - - Use of Stack by Readers 284 - - Carrels 286 - - Stack Details 288 - - Stack Lighting 292 - - Stack Windows 294 - True 294 - Defective 295 - False 295 - - Stack Heating and Ventilation 296 - - Stacks Up and Down 297 - - Stack Towers 297 - - Stack Capacity 298 - - Sliding Cases 299 - - PART III.—READERS’ ROOMS 305 - - Reading generally 305 - - Serious Reading 306 - - Reference 310 - - Light Reading 313 - Half-hour Reading 313 - Periodicals 314 - - Newspapers 316 - - Children 318 - - Women 320 - - The Blind 321 - - Special Rooms 322 - Local Literature 323 - Study 324 - Classes 324 - Patents, etc. 326 - Public Documents 327 - Duplicates 328 - Art: Prints, etc. 329 - Maps 331 - Music 331 - Education 332 - Lectures 333 - Exhibitions 334 - Pamphlets 335 - Bound Periodicals 335 - Collections 337 - Information 338 - Conversation 338 - Unassigned 339 - - PART IV.—FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT 341 - - Tables 344 - - Chairs 346 - - Delivery Desks 348 - - Catalog Cases 350 - - Bulletin Boards 352 - - Other Fittings 354 - - =Book F—Appendix= 355 - - Concrete Examples 357 - - N. Y. Public Library. Terms of Competition 359 - - Brooklyn. Suggestions to Architect 367 - - =Index= 393 - - - - -A. - -INTRODUCTION - -_In this Book_ - -_A cursory glance through history fails to throw much light on planning a -modern library._ - -_The motto of this work is elucidated._ - -_The possibility of differences between librarian and architect is -discussed._ - -_And brief remarks are made about grades and kinds of libraries._ - - - - -A. - -INTRODUCTION - - -EVOLUTION OF LIBRARY BUILDING - -[For the first chapters of this book, I am largely indebted to an -interesting and scholarly volume by John Willis Clark, entitled “The Care -of Books,” published in the year 1901 at Cambridge, Eng. I am emboldened -to quote from it by noting how much later books and cyclopedias rely on -it as their chief authority, and I commend to all readers both text and -illustrations of this fascinating work.] - - -The Dawn of History - -No precedents of buildings or fixtures loom out of the farthest past. -Archæological excavations have found relics of libraries in early ruins, -libraries of baked clay tablets, evidently once housed in separate rooms -on upper stories of palaces or temples. This literature must have seemed -imperishable. There were no fading inks, no crumbling paper, no danger -from moisture or worms. But an older foe, still threatening libraries, -lurked in that brick era of literature. Fire, both worshiped and feared, -was finally fatal. Fire following conquest attacked the oldest libraries -and dropped them in shattered fragments into prehistoric cellars, to lie -for centuries awaiting exhumation. But even as now resurrected, they -tell no tales of their housing or shelving or circulation. It would seem -hopeless to grope among these shards for lessons in library science. And -yet Dr. Richard Garnett[1] deduced from an Assyrian hexagonal book tablet -the idea of hexagonal bookcases for the British Museum. - - -Ancient History - -In the early days of Egypt, Greece, and Rome, libraries of papyrus and -parchment rolls, stored on shelves, in pigeon-holes and in chests, were -collected, at first by sovereigns, then by nobles, then by scholars. For -centuries they occupied rooms in palaces and in temples. These rooms -were only places of storage. Other rooms, or oftener colonnades, served -for reading. The distinction between book rooms and reading rooms thus -appeared at an early date. - -The first mention of a separate library building is made in Egypt in -the time of Ptolemy Philadelphus, the third century B.C. Two centuries -before, Pisistratus, in Greece, had established a public library, whether -or no in a house of its own is not noted. About 40 B.C., Asinius Pollio -seems to have built the first library building in Rome. Augustus soon -built two more, and thereafter public libraries and private library rooms -abounded. In the fourth century A.D. there were twenty-eight “public -libraries” in Rome. Although these were undoubtedly, while “public,” used -mainly by scholars, having few of the functions which so highly diversify -and differentiate modern public libraries, their buildings must have -begun to assume some common arrangement which would tend to constitute -a type. I am unable to reproduce, however, any clear picture of the -architecture of these first buildings. - -As to fixtures, Mr. Clark sums up a chapter:[2] “Unfortunately no -enthusiast of those distant times has handed down to us a complete -description of his library, and we are obliged to take a detail from one -account, and a detail from another, and so piece the picture together -for ourselves. What I may call the pigeonhole system, suitable for rolls -only, was replaced by presses which could contain rolls if required, -but were especially designed for codices (the first phase of parchment, -in the modern book form). These presses were sometimes plain, sometimes -richly ornamented. The floor, the walls, the roof were also decorated. -As the books were hidden in the presses, the library note was struck by -numerous inscriptions, and by busts and portraits of authors.” - -This Roman conception of a library prevailed during the dark ages and -has survived to our own time in its most sumptuous form, embodied in -the Vatican library, whose interior has so often been represented in -photographs and engravings. - -With the close of the western empire, in A.D. 476, the ancient era of -libraries may be said also to close without any lessons to us as to -building. - - -Mediæval History - -Thus far libraries were gathered and cared for by monarchs, princes, -or prominent citizens. With the growth of Christianity literature fell -to the care of the ecclesiastics. Their earliest collection, of which -record remains, was shelved in the apse of a church. About A.D. 300, -monastic communities began to cherish church literature. Existing records -all indicate that cloisters were the first Christian libraries, perhaps -because all the monks could assemble there. What few precious manuscript -volumes the laborious brothers had fashioned, with others given or -bought, were stored on shelves or in “presses” on the inner walls. The -readers either took the books to their cells, or read them by the light -of the windows in the outer wall. There were the reading room, the book -room, and the lending room, all in one long, well-lighted cloister. -Later, as more manuscripts accumulated, they were stored at first in -niches in the wall, then in adjacent closets or small windowless rooms. -Readers still studied by the best light. To follow Clark’s quotation:[3] -“On the north syde of the Cloister (at Durham) in every window were ... -Pews or Carrels where every Monk studyed upon his books. And in every -Carrel was a deske to lye their bookes on.” - -Elsewhere it is explained that each window was in three parts, with a -carrel from one stanchell of the window to another. - -This use of windows suggested to me a new convenience for research in -our modern “stack,” which is described in a later chapter as the “stack -carrel.”[4] - -The growth of libraries slowly followed the development of monastic -orders. The systematic care and use of books began with the precepts of -S. Benedict in the sixth century, followed by similar rules in other -brotherhoods. At the same time secular libraries and library buildings -were devastated by the barbarians, while the Arabs, who developed large -libraries, appeared to have housed them in mosques, so that library -building science slumbered through the Dark Ages. - -In the sixth and seventh centuries learning followed the first steps -of Christianity into the British Isles. The earliest English “library -movement” began in the monasteries of Ireland and Great Britain. - -From that era onward, libraries all over Christianized Europe grew with -the prosperity of religious brotherhoods. Of progress toward building, -however, there is little record until the Cistercians moved theirs from -the cloisters to other rooms in their monasteries, although some use -of cloisters elsewhere lingered until the beginning of the seventeenth -century. These rooms were at first directly over the cloisters, where -alcoves first appeared, on the window side only. Still later libraries -were assigned to the upper stories of separate buildings, the first put -to this use since the time of the Cæsars in Rome. - -These first mediæval libraries, of which several pictures are preserved, -send to us the precedent of ample and aptly applied daylight admitted -through long windows directly into each alcove. The exteriors remind -us of our stack rooms. This arrangement of library rooms passed by -imitation in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries from the monasteries -to the colleges, and still survives in the older libraries of Oxford -and Cambridge,—for instance, Merton College, a long, narrow room with -bookcases between the windows, at right angles with the walls, forming -well-lighted alcoves. - -All of the earliest library rooms were long and narrow. Clark has -preserved the measurements of several thus:— - -A.D. 1289. Zutphen (Holland): A solid building separated from others (in -case of fire): 120 feet long, 36 feet broad: 19 uniform windows east and -west, “that plenty of daylight might fall upon the desks and fill the -whole length and breadth of the library.” - -A.D. 1422. The Franciscan House in London, “Christ’s Hospital” (the -first building in England built expressly for a library?) founded by Sir -Richard Whittington; 129 feet long by 31 feet broad, with 28 desks and 28 -double settles. - -A.D. 1508. At Canterbury: the library over the Prior’s Chapel was 60 feet -long by 20 feet broad, and had 16 bookcases, each 4 shelves high. - -A.D. 1517. At Clairvaux: in the cloister are 14 studies, where the monks -write and study, and over it the new library, 180 feet long by 17 wide -(probably this narrowness followed the shape of the cloister) with 48 -benches, “excellently lighted on both sides by large windows.” - -It will be noted that these bookshelves were about four feet “on -centers,” and that great emphasis was laid on ample daylight. - -From the thirteenth century comes this warning for us—“the press in which -books are kept ought to be lined inside with wood that the damp of the -walls may not moisten or stain them,” which is singularly like a caution -in a recent American manual against leaving unpainted brick walls at the -back of wall cases. - -It seems singular that wall shelving, which was certainly used in -Assyrian libraries and in the classical period, disappears in the monkish -era and yields to “presses” or closed bookcases; to appear as a new -device in the library of the Escorial in Spain in the year 1583. Sir -Christopher Wren thought so much of this feature that he followed it in -Trinity College (Cambridge) library in 1695, saying, “The disposition of -the shelves both along the walls and breaking out from the walls must -prove very convenient and gracefull: A little square table in each cell -with two seats.” - -The fifteenth century had been a library era throughout. In the sixteenth -came the Reformation, which swept away “papistical” libraries. More -than eight hundred libraries of monastic orders, in England alone, were -dispersed or destroyed by this iconoclastic whirlwind. In 1540 the only -libraries left were at Oxford and Cambridge and in the cathedrals. But at -the same time, the invention and rapid spread of printing had superseded -the slow processes of making manuscript books, and had opened a new life -for libraries. The first library built under these new conditions was -that of St. John’s College, which brought over from the monastic and -early college era the alcove arrangement. - -The renaissance of wall shelving spread rapidly. Compared with the -chaining of books to the shelves, which it superseded, it was an -open-access reform. To quote Cardinal Mazarin’s library motto, “Publice -patere voluit.” It was quickly followed in France, but more slowly in -England. In 1610 this form of shelving with a gallery was adopted in -the Bodleian Library at Oxford (see illustration on p. 275 of Clark), -the progenitor of our first distinctive American library interiors, now -discredited and almost abandoned. - - -Modern History - -From the beginning of the seventeenth to the middle of the nineteenth -century, there is little to chronicle in the evolution of the library -building. What libraries were built or altered followed either the -monastic-collegiate alcove style, or the Escorial-Trinity wall shelving -and gallery, or both. The best illustrations of libraries of this era are -still extant at Oxford and Cambridge. A view of what he calls the oldest -example of the combination of high wall shelving broken by a gallery, -with the older fashion of alcoves, as they still exist at the Bodleian -Library at Oxford, is shown by Duff-Brown on p. 2. A fine specimen may -be seen at Trinity College, Dublin, interesting because of two modern -attempts to burst the confines of old walls: first, as shown in the -traces of sliding cases long antedating those of the British Museum; -second, in the two-story wooden stack recently installed and already -outgrown, in the cloisters below the library, which were originally open -but were glassed in to protect the stack. (See illustrations, reproducing -photographs taken by the author.[5]) - -The first appearance of the floor case, the precedent of the modern -stack, appears in the library of the University of Leyden in 1610, of -which a large illustration is given by Clark[6] and a smaller one by -Fletcher.[7] Here is seen the utilization of the whole floor of a book -room through parallel cases evidently open to access, although the -books are all chained. The library is lofty and the shelves lighted not -directly from stack-windows, but by chapel windows high in the wall, -which appear to fill the room with ample diffused light. Some of the -“broad-brims” pacing the floor may have been our Pilgrim ancestors, who, -for the ten years subsequent to the date of this picture, were living at -Leyden and frequenting the University. - -The Radcliffe Library at Oxford, designed in 1740, seems to be the -earliest example in England of a circular reading room lighted from the -roof. This is said to have been suggested by the central reading room of -the old Wolfenbüttel Library, built about 1710. - -“The first architect,” says Duff-Brown[8] “to plan a library which in -any way meets the modern requirements of giving ample accommodation -was Leopoldo della Santa, who in 1816 published in Florence a quarto -pamphlet, which is an attempt to construct a library building entirely -from an utilitarian point of view.” The plan, which Brown reproduces, -suggests Dr. Poole’s plan which was embodied in the Newberry Library of -Chicago. - -In 1835 Delassert proposed for the French National Library a circular -plan of building, which perhaps suggested the present reading room of the -British Museum. In 1885 Magnusson proposed an unending whorl as a good -form for a growing library.[9] - -While English libraries, and those of the continent, were developing -these phases of old types, separate library buildings began to appear -in America. The first one actually erected for library occupation still -remains in use,—the Redwood Library of Newport, R. I., built in 1750. The -main room is a hall 37 × 26 feet, 19 feet high, with two lean-to rooms -at the sides. A massive portico gives an impressive front, but cannot be -said to found a distinctive library style. - -Our early proprietary associations and parochial libraries were stored -in public buildings, or in buildings with no peculiar features. The -school district libraries established by the state of New York in 1835, -and similar libraries founded soon after in other states, seem to have -been stored in schoolhouses, though intended for public use. The state -libraries, first established as early as 1773, were deposited in the -State Houses. The Young Men’s libraries of the early period were kept in -rented rooms, or at best in rented houses. No special phase of library -buildings was developed until about the middle of the nineteenth century, -when colleges began to build. Gore Hall at Harvard (1841) was modeled -after King’s College Chapel at Cambridge, Eng., and was even at that date -said to be “ill adapted to the purposes of a library.” The University of -North Carolina “erected” in 1850 a library in the form of a Greek temple, -with hall 84 × 32 feet, 20 feet high. These essays at importing styles -certainly developed no models worth imitation, but nevertheless they were -imitated. - - -Our Own Era - -Our own “library age” may be said to date from the middle of the -nineteenth century. The parliamentary investigations which led to the -first English library act in 1850, and the organization of the Boston -Public Library with us in 1852, mark the beginning of the modern library -movement. I will not try to trace the gradual evolution of library -buildings abroad. I do not know enough about it to handle the subject -well. I find, however, in Edwards’ Free Town Libraries,[10] London, 1869, -a prototype of our own “Points of Agreement among Librarians on Library -Architecture.” But as late as 1907 an English architect (Champneys[11]) -says that “the examples of what a library building should not be are out -of all proportion to those which are worthy to be followed.” - -In America, building developed with the library movement, at first -getting rather ahead of it. Indeed, there were few experienced librarians -to direct it, and even these were mainly the old style conservators and -bibliographers. The topic of building does not appear in the discussions -of the library conference in 1853. The architects had to develop a -precedent. The first distinctive type to appear was adopted in the Astor -Library in New York (1853) and followed in the Boston Public Library -dedicated in 1858. The exterior of the building had no peculiar features, -but the interior was distinctly a type to be outgrown. The main room was -a lofty hall, surrounded by galleried alcoves reaching to the ceiling, -storing the books, while the readers occupied the floor, into the middle -of which the main stairway arose among the tables. This impressive but -wasteful interior was copied in large cities throughout the country, -and was referred to in contemporaneous discussion as the “conventional -style.” As it was tested in operation, and as its defects both for -storage and administration became evident, the library profession, then -getting together, unanimously condemned it. At the Cincinnati Conference -of 1882, the A. L. A. resolved that “the time has come for a radical -modification of the prevailing style of library building, and the -adoption of a style better suited to economy and practical utility.”[12] -At first there was no agreement on a successor. Richardson, the great -architect, developed a library type which was severely criticized by -librarians.[13] But in the rapid growth of libraries, the problem of -close, economical and accessible storage of books became acute. How -could these accumulating masses be stored and at the same time used? The -solution came in the “stack,” at first fiercely fought by conservative -librarians, but now so universally accepted as to form the distinctive -feature of modern American library architecture. - -In 1876 an impetus was given to library science, including building, -by the government report of that year on libraries, and also by the -formation of the American Library Association. The annual meetings of the -Association, its discussions, the studies and reports of its committees, -the formation and activity of state, city, and other local library -associations, the establishment of library schools, have all tended -to build up a consensus of opinion on important topics which has been -recorded in the library journals, and has slowly but surely impressed -itself on architects, on the public, and, not least of all, upon building -committees. - -A special impetus toward union among librarians was the controversy -which arose over the building of the second Boston Public Library. The -importation of its exterior design from Paris, and the attempt to build -up an interior for it without any consultation with librarians either -local or national, seemed such a marked snub to the profession just -becoming conscious of power and unity, that it aroused renewed attention -to the proper planning of library buildings. A trustee of the library -having stated in public that “it was no use to consult librarians, for -no two of them agreed on any point,” the American Library Association -endorsed unanimously at its next conference the paper on “Points of -Agreement on Library Architecture,” which has since been the accepted -basis of all satisfactory plans. A series of nine letters to the -Boston _Herald_, criticizing the building and the library management -(republished in 17 L. J.), vindicated the library side of the controversy -and brought about a change of management. And yet this façade of the -library Ste. Geneviève in Paris has been repeated “with monotonous -poverty of invention,” says an architect, in the mistaken belief that a -building once labeled a library is a praiseworthy model to be copied. - -Another spur to library building during these last years has been the -Carnegie gifts. Their number and wide range, furnishing at the same -time an incentive and a climax to both private beneficence and public -liberality, finally convinced architects that in library buildings of all -sizes and various purposes they had a theme worthy of their best work and -highest genius. Mr. Carnegie’s first Public Free Library was founded in -1889, less than quarter of a century ago. Up to March, 1911, he had given -funds for 2062 public and 115 college libraries. - - -Forecasting the Years - -This rapid sketch has gleaned the records to show how the housing of -libraries has grown through centuries toward a rapid development in our -own age. - -=The Present.= In looking back through the last sixty years, indeed -through the last quarter-century, we contrast twenty-five years ago -with the present time. We cannot fail to be satisfied with the advance -in rational building. We know better what we want; we are called more -into consultation with our trustees as to what is wanted; our opinions -are listened to with respect by the architects. If every building is -not as perfect as we could wish, how much larger is the proportion -of serviceable libraries; how much smaller is the number of stately -failures? Turn over the plans in Koch’s portfolio of Carnegie Libraries. -See how much better is the average interior, how much more satisfactory -the fenestration and proportions of the average exterior. In the “Points -of Agreement among Librarians,” adopted as our chart in 1891, it was -stated that “very few library buildings erected during the previous ten -years conformed to all, and some of them conformed to none, of these -axiomatic requirements.” Could we not say now that nearly all library -buildings erected since 1891 conformed to most and many to all of what -have seemed to us the requisites of construction? - -=The Next Quarter Century.= What has the future in store for us? - -In the first place, a swarm of buildings. Private beneficence, already -aroused and stimulated, will continue for at least another generation -even after Carnegie shall pass on to his reward. Public opinion in -a large part of our country has come to believe in the library as it -believes in the schools. Small libraries will follow railway stations -into all growing and ambitious towns. Communities now inert will awake -and, as instruments for good, demand libraries to stand beside their -churches. The buildings of today will soon burst their bounds in the -flood of library progress, and require enlargement or replacement. - -The colleges will more and more recognize the relations of libraries -to instruction and the relations of the building to the library. Large -cities will experiment with large library buildings as the crown of their -educational system. - -Library science also will still progress ahead of its building problems. -Where its developments are to end no one can foretell. What Bostwick[14] -defines as the chief modern features of American libraries—freedom of -access, work with children, co-operation with schools, branch libraries -of all kinds, all such expanding activities—are sure to spread still -further on the lines of social science, industrial education and good -citizenship, reaching out, as Mr. Dana says, for the mechanic and the -artisan. - -In building there will be serious problems to be worked out. To college -libraries will come the great question of the economical and effective -distribution of department libraries. In all large libraries the -problem presses of how to store closely and still handily the masses of -accumulating books; underground stacks, central artificially lighted book -rooms, sliding presses, mechanical carriers. In all large centers are -impending the enormous warehouses[15] of the future for dead or moribund -books, literary tombs or morgues. - -I see another question impending,—Cannot modern methods of steel -construction help out the city problems of light and congestion? Is the -massive masonry, which has made such dungeons out of most of our public -buildings, necessary for libraries? In view of the universal opinion -among librarians that every building will have to be changed, enlarged, -or replaced within a short generation, in view of the fact that thick -walls kill the light needed for readers, that masonry partitions hinder -change, may not the structure that makes our modern stores and office -buildings so light, cheerful and airy, be in some satisfactory way -applied to our large libraries? - -Of one thing we may be fairly sure. Intelligent alliance and the -friendship of mutual respect between librarians and architects will so -carry conviction to trustees that our buildings of the near future will -seem workable to librarians, satisfactory to architects, and noble to the -public. - -For the remoter future our successors must plan. We do our share if we -pass on to them bettered methods and finer buildings. - - -Firmitas, Utilitas, Venustas - -The motto I have chosen for this work is the maxim embodying three -essential qualities in building, as given by Vitruvius, the leading -authority in his profession, in his work “De Architectura Libri Decem” -issued over nineteen hundred years ago at the highwater tide of the -classical style of architecture which some of his modern successors have -copied too blindly, forgetting that the conditions of our _firmitas_ and -_utilitas_ have essentially changed and modified the twentieth century -_venustas_. - -Even at that age, note the order in which the author arranged his -attributes. _Venustas_ last, even in that era of magnificent architecture. - -A fair translation of the motto would be stability, usefulness, -loveliness. - -The second essential is the one as to which the librarian is peculiarly -qualified to speak, and of which he is the especial champion, but he is -greatly interested in the two other attributes for which the architect is -more directly responsible, and perhaps the librarian can help even here -by suggestions. - -He can certainly serve throughout the processes of planning, in keeping, -always and everywhere, all concerned to the spirit of this classical -architectural precept so well rendered by the homely Anglo-Saxon adage, -“Use before beauty.” - - -Firmitas - -In the first place safety and strength of construction must be essentials -to everyone of the interested parties, and must be planned for and -closely watched by the architect. - -I was first attracted to the apothegm of Vitruvius by the second item, -but on dwelling on the subject I am not so sure that the first is not -quite as apposite. In considering the Latin synonyms, I noticed that -_firmitas_ had been used rather than _soliditas_, and on pondering -definitions in a lexicon, I found this under the head of _firmitas_—“the -quality of the _firmus_;” and under the head of _firmus_—“strong, proper, -suitable, fit.” Thus Vitruvius builded better than he knew for modern -library building, and voted from the golden age of classic architecture -two to one against _venustas_ in a library building. - -The librarian should constantly bear in mind first cost, and cost of -care as well as of administration. There may be a choice between equally -strong materials and methods of construction. There may be choice as -to use of walls, floors, windows, partitions, lights, heaters. In all -these points affecting construction his watchfulness should be constant -and his practical advice should have weight. He must warn also against -unnecessary heaviness and rigidity, and any methods which would hamper -changes or needlessly outlast the probable life of the building. -Massiveness is not now essential to strength, and in a library building -is a detriment. - - -Utilitas - -Here naturally the librarian must have pre-eminence. While the architect -may well correct inexperience in construction, and may chasten poor -taste in ornament, he and the building committee ought to defer to -the librarian on all questions of administration, and only oppose or -override him where he is clearly unripe, “faddy” or wrong. Certainly, in -planning, the architect should try patiently to meet all needs of storage -or service as presented by competent authority. Here is the core of the -problem: by the test of usefulness this particular building is to be -judged a success or a failure. - -But the librarian should be sure rather than obstinate. While he must be -clear what he wants to do, he should remember that there may be several -ways of doing it. If he is really an intelligent as well as an expert -librarian, he will often find in the architect a helpful inventiveness -to which he should yield an equal adaptability. Some of the best library -ideas are an architect’s development of a librarian’s idea;—witness the -stack. - -As to a union of use and beauty, I would quote the Alumni Committee on -the Harvard University Library:[16] “Not only should the new library be -as perfect in plan and equipment as a wise and generous expenditure can -make it, it should also, avoiding any display of costliness, possess a -beauty and dignity of its own, both within and without, that it may be a -constant source of pleasure and inspiration to all who use it.” - - -Venustas - -I was first tempted to translate epigrammatically strength, use, show, -but show seemed just the effect to avoid, although the _venus_ suggested -it. The lexicon defines the meaning of _venustas_ as loveliness, beauty, -charm; and I take it beauty—plain beauty—is what we most wish to see in a -library building. - -“While it is undeniable that the more directly utilitarian requirements -should take precedence, æsthetic treatment of a library building -is no unimportant matter. A building which is a work of art is a -powerful educational factor; a dignified structure commands respect; -an attractive exterior and pleasing interior attract toward use of the -building.”—_Champneys._[17] - -The eleventh edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica, in its article -on Architecture, says this: “The end of building is convenience, the -end of architecture as an art is beauty, grandeur, unity, power.” “The -most important qualities (it continues) are size, harmony, proportion, -symmetry, ornament and color.” Of these, size will depend mainly on the -scope of work of the library, and on the funds available. Ornament in -a library is a questionable beauty. The other qualities are possible -even in a small and inexpensive building. For harmony and proportion, -the architect may well be allowed choice at the outset as to what -general form of building would best suit the site, and accord with the -environment. - -I should add to the elements of beauty, material. In this the next choice -after cost, should be appropriateness and possibilities of dignity and -quiet beauty. Nor need the material be expensive. Expense does not always -promote beauty; it often ensures ugliness. A good rule to follow is to -take “the wine of the country,” as it were,—the stone of the state. Not -necessarily stone, either. Unless in large libraries, why is not wood -good exterior material, if the life of the building is likely to be only -twenty-five years? Wood is a fine material for a small building, lending -itself to easy alterations or repair, and capable of great beauty. -Whoever has had the fortune to sail on Christiania Fjord or Puget Sound -has brought away, as pictures of loveliness, a memory of the beautiful -villas of those forest-rich shores. Even re-enforced concrete, with its -vast possibilities of ugliness, has also possibilities of beauty: witness -the business section of Leipsic, and the residence quarter of Hamburg. -The different sections of America have various handsome and durable -building stones. And every section is near enough to clay to have good -brick,—by far the most sensible, and in good hands the most beautiful -material for library building. Did you ever see the buildings of Harvard -University? If so, you retain now in memory, not so much the gray granite -of the library, as the soft, homely, beautiful, wholly satisfactory -atmosphere of old Holworthy. If you can escape the bilious brick which -just at present is considered æsthetic, and the other brick which exudes -soda-blotches, and get the good old-fashioned kind which mellows to a -ripe old age, you will please a large constituency. - -As to marbles, if they are cheaper than stone or brick, all right. But -if additional expense for marble will cripple or dwarf a single feature -of convenience or service, I would fight it to my last breath. Perhaps I -am prejudiced, by an early experience. Being in Washington some years -ago, I wandered into the new Navy Department Building. Asking to see the -library I was shown to a lofty, bare room paneled in marble from floor to -ceiling. “Here you see specimens of all the marbles of the world, brought -by vessels of the navy direct from their quarries,” said the custodian. -“But where are the books to be?” I queried. “Oh, the books!” he answered, -rather contemptuously; “in here;” and he showed me two slices of space, -just the length of the main room, shelved on both sides thirty feet high, -lighted only by a tier of single windows at one end, and each space only -eight feet wide. Since then, marbles outside or inside a library have -been associated for me with vulgar show, not with appropriate _venustas_. - -As to the quality of grandeur, I am not sure that it is even appropriate -to a library. Is it not some such effect that many architects have aimed -at in our bad part? It seems to me that Beresford Pite was right in -saying:[18] “A regard for symmetrical purpose, a largeness of proportion -and form, simplicity of detail, and great restraint and refinement -of moulding and ornament, are qualities characteristic of a library, -internally as well as externally.... Libraries of all buildings should -be freed from the trammels of a merely archæological architecture. The -architect of the present day is apt to rely too simply on precedent.” -Yes, witness some of our Greek temple libraries in new America. - -After all, the material to be used on the exterior is largely controlled -by the limit of funds and is a matter for the architect rather than -the librarian, unless he thinks the cost of the outside will stunt his -accommodations. - - -Is There an Irrepressible Conflict? - -In the future must we face a continuous conflict between the architect -and the librarian? Is it true, as was once said, that the architect -is the natural enemy of the librarian? Was Dr. Garnett right when he -said,[19] “Hence a continual conflict between the architect who desires a -handsome elevation and the librarian who aims at practical convenience?” -Yes and no. No, certainly, if we mean the word enemy in any but a -Pickwickian sense. No, certainly, if we expect a bitter fight and bad -feeling. But if we substitute the word “contest” for “conflict,” if we -look forward to eager but friendly struggles, like athletic contests -between colleges,—yes, certainly yes. If both sides are striving for -the fine aims of Vitruvius, which I have taken as a motto—_Firmitas, -Utilitas, Venustas_—there will be nothing but the amity and mutual -respect of brotherly rivals. There will not at first be full accord as -to any one of the three points. Sound construction, yes: but must that -necessarily be the construction of precedent? Use, yes: but just the -phases of use as seen by the untrained eyes of that particular librarian? -Beauty, yes: but exactly the beauty of any conventional style? - -“I do not believe there is a conflict between the librarian or the -committee, and the architect. There is a common meeting ground.”—_E. B. -Green._[20] - -“The hostility between beauty and utility is often more apparent than -real.”—_Patton._[21] - -There will inevitably be differences, at first, even among consulting -librarians. Get together! Let librarian and architect compare views until -they find some way of satisfying both, then present a united front to -the building committee. If, however, they cannot agree, formulate their -difference clearly and present it to the committee for decision, as -business trustees often present doubts as to their trust, in a friendly -suit before a court. - -But remember that it is a contest, and have the library side presented as -ably as the architect’s. - - -Library Science - -Modern library science is yet in its adolescence as compared with -architecture, but it is a robust youth. It already knows definitely what -it wants, and what it does not want. For guidance, it has a copious -literature of first instance, scattered through various pamphlets and -four score back volumes of periodicals. It is beginning to have a -literature of last instance, in book form, like Duff-Brown in England -and Bostwick in America; and even a formal literature about library -buildings, Burgoyne and Champneys abroad, and now this volume here. It is -very satisfactory to see how these three-thousand-miles-apart authorities -agree. There are still differences of method to provide material for -debate at the next international conference, but we are close enough -together on principles, at least, to convince any doubting Thomas that -there is a library science to govern library building. - -And in building there is the greatest need of further developing library -science. As Fletcher says in his preface:[22]— - -“One need not visit all the libraries of the country to become painfully -convinced that want of adaptation to use is by no means infrequent. With -regard to buildings, Lord Bacon’s judgment seems very safe: ‘_Houses_ are -built to live in, and not to Looke on: Therefore let Use bee preferred -before Uniformitie.’ If this is true for houses, then _a fortiori_ for -libraries.” - -But the main reliance of architects and building committees should be -the living interpreter, the experienced librarian who can expound, apply -and extend the written word. Here is embodied library science face to -face with us, to supplement every chapter of this book by the latest -developments; to explain apparent anomalies and inconsistencies; to -differentiate essentials from non-essentials; to concede where concession -is possible; and to maintain with conviction the requirements to which -the architecture of tradition must yield. - -Nor are the books closed with this volume. As a writer in “The Dial,”[23] -says: “The history of Library Science is not closed. There remain an -indefinite number of interesting chapters still to be written which are -not unlikely to prove even more significant than any that have gone -before.” - - -Architecture - -Architecture, on the other hand, is a very mature science. It is ages -old, with a voluminous literature from Vitruvius down, with many learned -and skillful votaries, who have thorough technical education. Indeed, to -a layman it seems a bit too much fettered by education and precedent. -But it has to tackle all sorts of jobs from temples to stables, and -it is very much alive to modern progress. Witness its triumphs with -“skyscrapers,” steel construction, and re-enforced concrete. It has an -almost encyclopedic training and can deal with all problems of itself, -if required. But for perfect work it needs a very clear and thorough -statement of the technical requirements of each problem. Give him full -information, and any good architect can do good work. - -The Century Dictionary defines Architecture as combining the requirements -of (1) use and convenience, (2) constructive necessity and fitness, (3) -artistic excellence. - -For buildings that are more practical than decorative, the first is -paramount, and it is on this point alone that the librarian is qualified -to speak with authority. The other two-thirds—the larger part of the -building—he must leave to the architect. If all three points are combined -in the result, the architect should have two-thirds of the credit, and if -his library advice has been defective, he should have the whole. And what -does he get in return, on a small building, except _kudos_? Did you ever -think how small a money reward he gets? A lawyer or a surgeon may take, -in a difficult case, all the client or patient has in the bank or can -borrow. But an architect, no matter how difficult his problem, and how -much he has to work it out for himself with incompetent help, is limited -to a percentage suggested beforehand by a schedule of fees. For instance, -Miss Marvin gives views and plans of a $10,000 library at Darlington, -Wis., built by Claude & Starck of Madison, which she says meets perfectly -the needs of a small library with one slight exception. She reports the -architects’ fee to have been $379.85. For this they had to spend time -and thought on the plans, studying library science as applied to that -particular problem. They had to have many sittings with librarian and -board. They had to pay draftsmen for elaborating several sets of plans. -They had to prepare specifications, invite, examine and allot contracts, -watch all the material that was put in and all the work that was done. -Were they overpaid? In fact, were they fully paid for their work unless -they acted as their own draftsmen? All they really got out of the job was -the satisfaction of good work done, and a certain amount of reputation, -which I am glad to help by this mention. - -When an architect does such good work as this, as a result of giving -proper consideration to the real needs of the library, he surely ought to -have credit for it, and all librarians who know about it ought to give -him thanks and wide public praise. - - -Where does the Library Come In? - -Architecture, as I have said, deals with a wide range of subjects, from -the pure idealism of tombs, monuments and memorial arches, to the pure -realism of twentieth century workshops. The former are, so to speak, all -outside, and proper themes for competition. The latter are nearly all -inside, to be worked out by careful and special study of their uses. - -Where, in this wide circle, does the library come in? All librarians -will claim, and most architects will allow, that it lies very near the -workshop; as near it surely as the schoolhouse. It certainly needs -careful study and adequate expert advice. - -The tombs, monuments, and memorial arches, are rich subjects for -architectural taste and ornament,—for _venustas_. - -For workshops, for schoolhouses, ornament is inappropriate. Good taste, -shown in proportion, lines, color, material, is still demanded, but they -belong clearly to the domain of _utilitas_. - -The library comes, beyond doubt, in the latter group. There is a vast -range of buildings between, more or less proper subjects of decoration -and ornamentation. - -But the library should incontestably be assigned to the utilitarian -extreme. - - -What Conflict is Possible? - -Are there any points where architect and librarian may clash? There will -be many points of course where they will differ at first, and have to get -together through argument. But are there any influences toward a deadlock? - -On the part of the librarian there should be no prejudice. If he be -immature, or conceited and opinionated, and only half informed, he may -not deserve to win in such a contest of ideas, but his bias at all events -would be professional, not selfish. - -On the side of the architect, however, might there not be some bias? In -the first place, professional bias toward some style he has got his mind -set on? He may be too willing to sacrifice _utilitas_ to _venustas_ on -this account. During the Boston Public Library discussion, an architect -wrote to a daily journal: “Library buildings should be treated as -monuments, not as workshops, and must be made beautiful even at the -sacrifice of utility.” But if any architect or any trustees now have such -views, the building committee is to blame if it employs him, or even -admits him to a competition. - -In two points, however, selfish considerations might bias an architect, -if he were poor or ambitious. In the first place his remuneration is by -percentage on the total cost. The more his client spends, the more pay -he gets. This situation conflicts with economy. In the second place, his -reputation and his future prosperity depend not so much on librarians -as upon the general public, which admires size, costly material, -decoration, show. Witness the constant reappearance in magazines of -the worst libraries as examples of good architecture. Marching with his -own artistic temperament, this conflicts with economy, utility, and -simplicity. - -As to the danger of such a conflict, I personally have little fear, -if some care is taken in selecting the architect. I know many of the -profession. All of them I believe would spurn the first temptation, as -they would an open bribe. Some of them might be influenced insidiously -by the second, under the guise of Pure Art. But if shown by an expert -librarian, worthy of belief, that any architectural beauty would tend to -cripple the work of the library, I believe that every one would yield his -views promptly and willingly. Indeed, on the first point, I have known an -architect to sacrifice his own interest knowingly. - -See anecdote at the bottom of p. 131 proximo. - - -What Contest is Likely? - -Putting aside any question of such serious conflicts, are there any -differences to be expected? Why not leave it all to the architect, -with what information he can get from the local librarian? There are -a number of points to be settled both in the interior plan and about -the exterior as affected by the interior. The question, for instance, -of the best size and collocation of rooms, and height of stories, for -effective and economical administration. The questions of shelving -and furniture, always differing somewhat from previous problems. Such -questions as ornamental fireplaces and massive furniture, and ornamental -as against effective lighting. Questions as to the irreducible minimum -of entrance halls, passages and stairways. All these on the interior:—on -the exterior, the height of the basement, the height of the front steps, -the height of stories and the arrangement and shape of windows, expense -of material and decoration as against more space and better facilities -inside. All these questions are open to honest difference of opinion -between a librarian and an architect whose motives and ends are the -same. And the architect with preconceived ideas, and a bias toward -architectural effect, ought to have library views explained to him by -some librarian who is his equal in experience, education, ability and -personality. - -The conditions have bettered in recent years. “The librarian’s ideal and -the architect’s ideal, years ago wide apart, are today coming closer -together. Full comparison of views may lead to agreement.”—_Hamlin_ -(architect).[24] - - -Where Lies the Blame? - -Where should the blame of bad buildings rest? Sometimes, certainly, on -the architect. Perhaps he is incompetent, perhaps he has been wilful. -Champneys (an architect himself) says of the English situation: “In -many cases architects have wilfully sacrificed utility to æsthetic -considerations.”[25] And so often in America. I have recently heard of an -architect chosen to build a library with only a limited fund available, -calling for twenty-five per cent more money for more expensive material, -before he had begun to lay out the interior. Here the blame should -rest on the architect, unless he acted under positive orders from the -committee. - -But the architect is not always to blame. Sometimes the librarian has not -been strong enough or has not had enough experience to guide him aright. -Sometimes a “faddy” librarian has led him to adopt features which the -profession generally disapprove. More often the building committee have -left the problem to the architect without proper instructions, or have -actually instructed him to disregard librarians’ advice, and to make the -building showy at any sacrifice of use. - -The board of library trustees, not the librarian, is the architect’s -client, whose instructions he must obey. In many cases the parties in -fault have been the trustees, or ultimately the public. “The worst -possible combination is that of board and architect, the librarian being -ignored.”—_Bostwick._[26] - -So do not blame the architect for a poor, clumsy, extravagant building, -unless you can surely place the responsibility on him. - - -Grades and Classes - -=Grades.= In dealing with libraries, it will be well to grade them by -size, or rather by cost, which will accomplish the same end; and to -arrange them by scope. - -Any grades must be arbitrary, but as some attempts at distinguishing -small from large have already been made, rather loosely, I will try to -group them as I think they can be treated. Thus:— - - _Minimum_, those costing under $5,000. - _Small_, those costing from $5,000 to $20,000. - _Moderate_, those costing from $20,000 to $75,000. - _Medium_, those costing from $75,000 to $300,000. - _Large_, those costing from $300,000 to $1,000,000. - _Very large_, those costing more than $1,000,000. - -Miss Marvin[27] seems to hint at $3,000 as the limit for very small -libraries, but I note that $5,000 is a more frequent limit for Carnegie -gifts, so I follow that guide. - -The next grade I limit to $20,000, on a suggestion from Miss Marvin[28] -that it is unwise to attempt a two-story building for less than that -sum. The third limit, also, I assign because Miss Marvin says that it -is unusual and unadvisable to have an architectural competition for -buildings of less cost than $75,000. The other groups are deduced from my -own experience. - -I shall deal with only two of these groups at length, “Minimum” and “Very -Large.” The very small, or “minimum” libraries are adequately dealt with -by Miss Marvin, Eastman, and A. L. A. Tract No. 4. See, however, later -under the heads of Plans, and also paragraphs under all heads which fit -small libraries. - -=Classes.= Arranging libraries according to their scope, I classify them -thus:— - - Private. - Club. - Proprietary. - Institutional. - Professional. - Scientific. - Law. - Medical, theological. - Special business. - Government. - State. - Historical and antiquarian. - University. - School. - Public. - Branches. - Suburban. - -Of these, I will treat Private and Club libraries in one chapter, -Proprietary, Institutional and Professional in another, Government, State -and Historical in a third, University, College and School in a fourth. -To Public Libraries I will devote a separate chapter. “Branch” and -“Suburban” I will consider in my chapter on Public libraries. To some one -of these classes any collection of books may be assigned; any collection, -that is, which might require separate treatment in this volume. - -Mr. Belden, chairman of the Mass. Public Library Commission, writes me -of the especial need of suggestions for small libraries, “which are -springing up like mushrooms, most of them very poor specimens of what a -good small library should be.... Trustees in small libraries are usually -better planners than the librarian.” - - -Small Library Buildings - -=Minimum.= For this grade of very small libraries having, on the Carnegie -ten per cent basis, not much more than $500 a year to spend, there -would seem to be still need of a special manual. Eastman has only two -illustrations and Miss Marvin only one, in this grade, most of their -plans being far more costly. In A. L. A. Tract No. 4, I gave about ten -pages which would be especially useful to very small libraries. Eastman -and Miss Marvin place the limits of a small library much higher than I -do. It seems to me that a library—perhaps not the very smallest, but -certainly one that could spare $10,000 for building—would know at least -where to go for advice. But the minimum grade librarian would be apt to -be an amateur or a novice, and her board would hardly know much about -libraries or library personnel. To them clear, succinct, systematic -suggestions, illustrated by just such views, floor plans and statistics -as Miss Marvin has given, would be a very great help, especially in new -and isolated communities. - -If she, with Mr. Eastman’s assistance, could compile another manual or -tract, confined to libraries which especially need specific advice, -cannot afford to pay for it, and are situated at a distance from any -experienced librarians, I think they would do very great good. Such -libraries may even copy model plans if thus carefully selected and -commended. - -To condense here a few principles,—it is best to rent an inexpensive room -and furnish it very simply, until the trustees have felt their way, know -what to do and have say a thousand dollars in sight to build with and -enough funds to run a building. But “it is desirable to get a library -out of rented quarters as soon as possible.”—_Utley._[29] - -“A building is a good thing; it makes the library mean more to the -public. Build to save light and coal, build to save work in keeping -neat and clean, build to allow for growth, build so that one person can -control and do all the work.”—_Ranck._[30] - -“A plain one-story wooden building built on posts, with only one room, -heated by a stove, lighted by oil lamps, very simply lined with wall -shelving, furnished with the plainest of tables and chairs, will do at -first.”[31] - -“The public library in a small town is usually its only intellectual -center.”—_O. Bluemner._[32] And it may become its pleasantest social -center. - -The first development would be to a one-story, one-room building on -foundations, but not with finished cellar or basement. Perhaps a -fireplace could be added, with more and better furniture and shelving, so -planned that different corners and separate divisions of shelving, still -under control from a central desk, could begin the rudimentary divisions -of a library; reference, light reading, children. Serious reading would -have to be postponed, or pursued under difficulties. - -The next stage would still be confined to one open main floor, to be -under one central supervision, built on the trefoil plan, center and two -wings, in three rooms, or rather three parts of one room, divided by -cords, rails, glass partitions or low bookcases. To this could be added -at the back another projection, to be used as the reference library, or -for open shelves. “In the trefoil plan, the end wall of the book room at -the back might well be all glass, with no windows at the sides. This -would be very easy to extend.”—_O. Bluemner._[33] Up to this time, no -provision need be made for a private room for the librarian. - -But about this stage it is time to think of a raised cellar or basement, -which will about double the available floor space and begin to allow -division into departments, the first increase of force being a janitor -who can act as supervisor of the lower rooms. - -Soon after this a regular trefoil building can be erected with -practicable basement, with the introduction of two small rooms at the -inner corners of the back ell, where they need not block light from any -room. - -From this on to a two-story building with stairs, there are many -alternatives, and no regular style of building can be prescribed. - -When a town has no adviser at hand, it can apply to the state library -commission, or if there is none in the state, to the nearest state -commission, which at least can advise from what librarian it can get good -advice. - -Most of the very small libraries described in the 1899 Report of -the Mass. Free Public Library Commission occupy a room or rooms in -schoolhouses, town halls, churches, the librarian’s house, or public -blocks. The smallest grade of separate library buildings seem to me more -uniformly appropriate and beautiful than many of higher grades. - -As I drive about seashore and mountain resorts and through small country -towns, I see many beautiful little library buildings, usually closed at -the time I pass, so that I cannot inspect the interiors. In the 1899 -Report of the Mass. Free Public Library Commission, I find descriptions -of several low-cost library buildings. For instance:— - - _Old buildings bought_: Westbury cost $100. - Boxford ” 360. - Scituate ” 700. - Mendon ” 1,000. - West Tisbury ” 1,063. - _New wooden buildings_: Marston’s Mills ” 425. - Freetown ” 1,500. - Provincetown ” 3,000. - North Scituate ” 3,000. - Southwick ” 3,000. - _New brick buildings_: Bernardiston ” 2,000. - Buckland ” 2,500. - Templeton ” 2,500. - -with several others costing less than $5,000 and many costing $10,000 -or less. Of some of these, exterior views are given in the report. I -should much like to see interior views, floor plans, full statistics and -comments of local librarians. - -In A. L. A. Library Tract No. 4 I said, and still think, that— - -“A rough, unpainted, cellarless, one-room wooden building could be put -together for say $250, and can be fitted up and made comfortable in all -weathers for as much more. - -“From $1,000 to $2,500 will pay for a tasteful wooden building amply -sufficient for a library of not over 5,000 volumes. - -“$2,500 to $5,000 will erect a similar building, to hold 10,000 volumes -or more. - -“From $10,000 up will provide for a brick building, and from $15,000 up a -stone building for growing libraries of 15,000 volumes or more, with the -varied functions that such a collection implies.” - -These figures are only an approximation and will vary in different -sections, with prices of material and labor, but they will do for rough -guess to start with. - -The only comments in Miss Marvin’s pamphlet which seem specially to apply -to this grade are these:— - -“A building costing $3,000 or less cannot have library rooms in the -basement.” (p. 5.) - -“A $5,000 building usually consists of one large well-lighted room, with -basement for storage and workrooms.” (p. 5.) - -“Small buildings will be the same as the $10,000 buildings in the points -of light, shelving, etc.” (p. 5.) - -=Small Buildings.= But the grade from $5,000 to $20,000, which probably -will include a large majority of American libraries, would be apt to be -more sophisticated, to have a bright and even a trained librarian, and -one or two practical trustees who could seek advice intelligently, get -at similar libraries in their neighborhood or state, pick out a good -architect, and not need precedents quite so much. Their problems are much -the same as those of larger libraries. Their need of features looking -towards economy of administration and effectiveness of supervision with -a small force would be greater; but they would begin to have many of -the essential functions of larger libraries; especially, in our rapidly -developing communities, the interior and exterior provisions for growth -which require such intelligent forethought and careful planning. Whatever -may be thought of larger problems, here is the place for an experienced -library architect, one who has already built a small library which stands -the test of use, some clever and sympathetic young architect, perhaps, -who has already shown his skill as a builder and his taste as a designer, -but who is not too busy to give some of his own time to the task. With -such an architect, thoroughly commended by librarians who know his work, -there may not be need of a paid library expert. - -Koch gives illustrations of ten library buildings in this grade, besides -several branch libraries whose cost is not stated. Miss Marvin gives -twelve illustrations in this grade; Eastman ten. - -In this “small” grade would come many branches and many suburban -libraries. - -Some English plans show a two-story head-house, with a one-story -extension to the rear, lighted from the roof. Why would not this plan -work well on narrow and deep city lots? - -Since writing the above, I have had a letter from Miss Marvin, from which -I quote, “I should like to suggest that you advise small libraries to -consider their state library commissions as their official advisers in -the matter of building. They could help in detail work, pass upon their -plans, and above all prepare the instructions for the architect before he -begins to draw. Out in our part of the country in smaller towns, there -are very few competent architects, and a great many beginners, who do -not ask or expect instructions from the library boards. They simply draw -pictures of their ideas of interiors and exteriors of libraries.” - -See Light, artificial, p. 201; and Ventilation, windows-system, p. 210. - - -Moderate and Medium Libraries - -Buildings to cost anywhere from $20,000 to $1,000,000 present much the -same kind of problems, varied more by class than by cost, but growing -more complicated, of course, with increased size and scope. - -To quote again:[34] - -“As a library grows, the rudimentary divisions still prevail, sub-divided -according to special needs, such as _Separation of books_, as under art, -music, patents, etc; _Separation of work_, as librarians, delivery, -janitor, etc.; _Separation of readers_, as adults, children, serious and -light reading, etc.” - -The architect’s special parts of the problem, construction and exterior, -grow rather less than the librarian’s. The latter’s problems increase -with the number of departments and rooms, The principles remain -substantially the same, but their application to the relations of books, -administration and readers requires more study. The necessity for -special experience and maturer judgment becomes greater and greater, -and the librarian’s side of consultation needs strengthening with every -thousand cubic feet of size to be apportioned rightly. With increased -size the diversities of use between different classes of libraries become -more technical and intricate. Unless the local librarian is expert and -mature he needs an able and experienced adviser to be able to hold his -own with the architect, who will wish his problem more thoroughly and -authoritatively presented as it becomes more complex. - - -Very Large Buildings - -The buildings to cost over a million dollars are likely to be in the -state, public or university classes. Some of their peculiar phases will -be discussed under those heads. The features they have in common are -size, material and construction, entrances, stack, relation of stack to -reading rooms, underground stories, stairs and elevators. - -Material and construction are perhaps the most problematical. As has -already been questioned, must libraries be of solid stone construction -like most of our recent public buildings? Must they be gloomy dungeons -like our typical custom-houses? One objection to massive and imposing -build is the burden of shade imposed on the inside rooms and corridors -by thick walls, deep window embrasures, rows of columns, porticos and -overhanging cornices. Can they not be given sufficient dignity and yet -be of modern steel construction, like our business blocks that are so -light and airy? Or, if an imposing front be necessary, why not plan it -with columns, portico and approaches, as a mere façade to mask three -other exterior walls and partitions of light construction? One important -consideration toward this end is the belief of librarians that every -building may require alteration, enlargement, possibly replacement in -less than a generation, and ought not therefore to be too solid. - -Why not put the stacks on the front and sides, thus giving a light -construction tone to the building? - -If such a daring experiment could be made for a very large library, it -would lead to omission of impressive outside stairs and rows of useless -columns, which often incumber entrances and largely increase the cost of -library buildings. - -The stack, still in the course of development in smaller libraries, must -be studied as the principal problem in a very large library. - -Room to store enormous and continually enlarging stocks of books will be -required. Where to put the reading rooms is a minor problem, the chief -query being where to give them the best daylight, either outside, or on -courtyards, or under the roof; to leave ample space for them, not too far -from books and administration rooms. Could a large enough stack be built -on what might be called the daylight fronts and the daylight stories? The -question of dark, central or underground stacks will be discussed in a -separate chapter. It is only outlined here as one of the chief problems -of the very large building. - -Elevators and mechanical carriers, house telephones or speaking tubes -will furnish larger problems the larger the building is to be. - -Inside stairs and passages, just large enough, no larger, than will -be required for use, and so carefully placed as to unite, rather than -separate, departments of the library, will in themselves be a special -study both in service and in economy of space and cost. The more -unnecessary cubic space, width, length and height, you waste on them, the -more your library will cost to build, and the more will be the annual -expense of caring for it and of repairing it. - - -CLASSES - - -Private and Club Libraries - -=Private libraries=, while a frequent problem for architects (in the -United States there were over a hundred thousand in 1870, averaging 250 -volumes to a library, according to the ninth census) have not much to -interest librarians, who are seldom called in to run them. A private -library is oftenest a more or less casual collection for the use of -the owner and his family. Occasionally it expresses some special taste -in reading or collecting. But whatever it includes, it is at the same -time a store room and a reading room for a very few persons, as it -was in old Roman times, so that it would be fitting for the architect -to take the old Roman tone in its treatment, the tone of the Vatican -library in miniature. Wall shelving, open or glassed cases, carvings, -free decoration, busts above the bookcases, friezes, whatever he thinks -appropriate and cozy, may be used in it. - -Gladstone in his interesting article on “Books and the Housing of -Them”[35] describes an arrangement for twenty thousand volumes (evidently -his own library) “all visible, all within easy reach, in a room of quite -ordinary size.” He sketches a floor plan of shallow piers or alcoves all -around a room 20 × 40, with most of the centre left open for furniture. -This plan is worth looking up by an architect charged with planning so -large a private or club library. - -=A club library= is only an extension of the private library idea, to be -used by many men rather than by a few. Here the tone may be the same, -varied perhaps by the first formal monastic features. - -Here alcoves might well be used, with no rigid steel stacks, but handsome -wooden shelving. - -Just few enough men could find quiet seats, with books all around them, a -cozy window seat with a leaded window to look out of, not too many other -readers or busy attendants to disturb their quiet by hunting books on the -neighboring shelves. - -A private or club library is a good subject for an architect to exploit, -taking beautifully bound books as the key to his ornamental treatment. -Quiet, artistic lights are appropriate, rich old woods and decorative -rugs; everything that is taboo in a public library. The keynotes should -be rest, comfort, literary cosiness, private proprietorship; if anything -more, refined hospitality to personal friends. - - -Proprietary, Institutional - -=Proprietary.= By these I mean what might be called literary clubs, -owned in shares, and supported by dues, like Athenæums. Most of these -combine some of the features of club libraries, and the reference and -circulating functions of public libraries. Their constituency is smaller, -however, more select, and usually has a higher degree of literary taste. -In building, they will usually need rather more of the home or club -atmosphere than other classes of libraries, and much less supervision. -Here, for instance, the alcove and the window-nook might properly be -used in reading rooms. The readers would be fewer, even in busy hours, -and more homogeneous, so that a nervous man might pre-empt an alcove or -a window seat and remain for hours comparatively undisturbed by either -attendants or by other readers. Such societies will rarely build until -they have a stable membership, many books and an accomplished librarian. -From him the architect can learn the characteristics and habits of the -members, and can begin planning by studying the features that will please -them. As to the shelving of books, the administration and delivery, -their problems will be much like other libraries, with perhaps more open -access, especially to the new books for circulation. - -The old-fashioned Mercantile Library, of which some survive in vigor, is -similar in support, but more democratic in membership, and ought to be -treated architecturally more like a public library, without children’s -rooms or such social science features. - -=Institutional.= Under this group I would include the libraries -of endowed or charitable societies, such as Young Men’s Christian -Associations. - -If these are wealthy enough, they might have separate buildings or wings -or stories for library use. Usually, however, they can only afford -to set aside rooms or suites in buildings largely devoted to other -purposes,—offices, class rooms, lectures, gymnasium. In such case, the -library should be carefully planned to give it the best frontage and -light. - -Where there can be ample, and if possible separate elevator service, the -upper floors, with some light through the roof, would probably offer -the best opportunities. Rooms elsewhere in the building would give club -facilities, so that feature of proprietary libraries might be omitted. -The usual storage for books and good reference and light-reading-room -facilities should be provided. If teaching is prominent in the plan -of the institution, something like seminar rooms in colleges might be -planned near the library, and private rooms for teachers and advanced -students. - -The administration of the library would probably be separate from that of -other departments. The library might then be shut off from the rest of -the building by sound-proof partitions, opening from a main corridor or -from stairs and elevator, so as to be quiet and complete in itself. - - -Professional - -This group might be sub-divided into scientific, medical, theological, -law, and special or business; each requiring individual treatment and -the advice of a librarian of mature experience in just that specialty. -Here again the library will often be housed only in a room or a suite of -rooms, to which should be assigned the best possible situation in the -building, bearing in mind quiet, light and easy access. The users will -be so select and responsible that they can be allowed full access to the -shelves. Their use will be like that of professors or graduate students -in a university. Wall shelving around rooms in which there are tables for -readers; or where many books have to be assembled in one room, shallow -alcoves and wall shelving opposite good light with tables near the -windows; would be suitable arrangements for such rooms, with a minimum of -service and supervision, and of florid ornamentation. Where a separate -building is possible, other features might be added. Then, of course, -general considerations would apply as to storage of books, administration -and accommodation of readers. - -=Scientific.= These would probably be libraries of separate or affiliated -societies, in a building with club features; really specialized club -libraries, for members only. They would be reference libraries almost -entirely, without much circulation. Alcoves and wall shelving would be -appropriate, with tables and racks for professional periodicals, and -facilities for writing, without much probability of a great rush at any -one time. - -=Medical.= These would have much the same use as scientific, much the -same quarters, much the same treatment. They would generally be larger, -often with separate buildings. Special thought would have to be given -to periodicals, the current numbers and back sets of which form a large -proportion of the literature of this profession. - -There were only thirty medical libraries listed in the government report -of 1876, and very few of these appeared to have separate buildings. It -would seem appropriate, in this class, to have a museum in the same -building as the library, to illustrate the professional literature -graphically. - -=Theological.= The majority of such libraries would be attached to -schools or colleges and partake of the treatment of departments in -universities. There are a few large general theological libraries, -however, with separate buildings. Quiet study, open access, slight -supervision, inexpensive service, are their requisites. In theological -schools it may be desirable to have class rooms near the library. - -Separate rooms for quiet reading and writing would always be a -convenience, if funds allow. - -Where much attention is paid to the older literature of theology, a -special provision of shelves for folios and quartos would be required. - -=Special and Business.= As these libraries have recently formed a -separate society or section of the American Library Association, they -evidently have unique subjects to discuss, but few of them have attained -the dignity of separate buildings. - -They generally have to content themselves with a suite of rooms. Each one -has its individual character, and can be ranked perhaps in the scientific -and professional classes, except that any one library will probably -have a more restricted group of readers, consisting of the partners and -employees of the maintaining firm or establishment. - -If the problem of providing such rooms comes to an architect, he should -get instructions from the proprietor and librarian as to its special -needs in shelving and other facilities. - -In Chicago especially, where part of expense of such libraries is -sometimes assumed by the Public Library, they cover a wide field of -usefulness and assume proportionate importance. - -Their number seems likely to increase rapidly as large firms -differentiate, become wealthy, and can use technical libraries for the -solution of manufacturing and commercial questions arising so frequently -in every-day business that time and expense can be saved by having their -own books handy instead of getting them from more public libraries. - -=Law.= Literature of this class has such a peculiar use that law -libraries need separate treatment and merit a special chapter. They are -sometimes small, as county law libraries; or large—law-school, bar, city, -state. They will usually be assigned to rooms in state capitols, city -halls, or court houses, and trustees should exert early and strenuous -efforts toward getting good and adequate locations assigned to them. - -With good elevator service, it is certain that a whole top floor of the -building, or the top floors of a roomy wing, will give the quietest, -lightest, and most commodious quarters. - -As both the study and practice of the law largely rest on precedents, the -books which are most frequently cited have to be shelved close to ample -table or desk facilities. - -No matter how ample these are, every seat is apt to be filled during the -busy hours of the day. - -Lawyers like to look up, pick out, and themselves take to their desks, -the books they want to use, and therefore there should be open access to -all the shelves. - -Alcoves are proper here, but more for extending shelf room—really wide -open-access floor cases—than for study, which is better at tables. - -Space enough is desirable on the main floor for all the books in common -demand and for most of the readers. - -The quarters recently obtained by the Social Law Library in the new -extension of the court house in Boston, though not especially erected for -the library, are very satisfactory. They comprise a long, lofty room, -thoroughly lighted from high windows, with wall and alcove shelving -opposite the light; with gallery possibilities for future growth; an -opening to the main story of a stack; and a few rooms for hearings and -quiet brief-making. The alcoves are wide enough for passing, but not for -study at table. The long tables occupy that half of the length of the -room which adjoins the outer wall and have ample diffused rather than -direct daylight from windows high up in the wall. - -One thing the Boston Social Law Library could not obtain space for, and -which would be very desirable, is a sufficiency of private study rooms. -In planning for the library, a circular with questions was sent to -several large law libraries. One question was, “How many private rooms -could you use?” All answers called for several rooms; one librarian would -like to have fifty. - -The tendency in all libraries is toward ample opportunities for quiet -study, but in law libraries, authors, investigators, makers of briefs, -especially need privacy and abstraction. - - -Government: Historical - -=U. S. Government.= Libraries for the United States government are -generally located in the national capitol. One has a separate building, -the Library of Congress. The others are attached to the Departments and -housed in the Department Buildings. - -They may be treated much as law libraries are; indeed a large part of -each of them constitutes a law library. Set aside for them well-lighted -rooms with a good aspect, in a quiet part of the building. If the rooms -are as lofty as the floors of the ordinary department building require, -arrange for a two or three-story steel stack. There will be limited -service to be provided for, limited circulation, and a rather limited and -well-defined storage. - -A special problem may soon come, in the form of legislation for a Supreme -Court building, which must certainly provide for the consultation library -of the Supreme Court, and perhaps for a great part of the Congressional -Law Library. In the first instance, the collocation of court room, -consultation room, judges’ private apartments, and library, will have -to be carefully studied. If the main law library is to come to the new -building, it will preponderate architecturally, with the necessary -reading and study rooms for the bar. Strong common sense, and able -library and juridical advice, will be required to avoid smothering the -very definite uses of such a building in architectural embellishments. - -=State.= Each state in the American Union has at least one “state -library” at the capital, usually in the capitol, maintained at public -charge primarily for the use of state officers, legislators and courts. -Latterly they have become also central reference libraries for schools, -colleges and citizens throughout the state, and traveling library -centers, requiring special facilities for these services. They also -require storage for public documents—very near dead literature, fit -for close and perhaps dark storage. The growth of state libraries is -phenomenal, largely from exchange of documents with other states and the -United States, an immense and rapidly increasing literature (quadrupling -every twenty-five years) which must be shelved in some form. - - “There must be a division of a state library into law, - documents, and miscellaneous, with a separate building for law - and documents.... I am inclined to see the ideal state library - as a great warehouse building. I want a dignified, simple, - fireproof building; with heat, light, ventilation, conveniences - for work, the very best that can be made, and without a dollar - for elaborate display.”—_Johnson Brigham_, State librarian of - Iowa.[36] - -In building new state capitols, and in replacing old ones, there is -considerable work ahead. In such an impressive and dignified building -as the people want, the real needs of departments of the government, -especially of the library, get scant consideration. To the library is -often assigned some part of a prominent wing whose features, height -of stories, size and arrangement of windows, style of shelving and -furniture, are largely governed by supposed exigencies of the exterior, -developed before the interior has been planned. It will require -superhuman effort on the part of librarian to get model library quarters -into such environment, but tact, early work, and persistence can often -ameliorate conditions. Galleries and alcoves you will probably have to -accept and do the best you can with, but it is open to some daring -architect to build a stack in full sight, occupying the back half of the -inevitable high room, with stack windows on the outside, giving an organ -tone to the façade, and an open stack front within to give a similar tone -to the interior. - -=Separate Library Buildings.= Large states have already begun to give -separate buildings to their general or at least to their law libraries -(see _Law_). Such a segregation is to be commended, if space and -money can be afforded, for here the library problems can be treated -without prejudice, unhampered by traditions of American State Capitol -Architecture. - -“I am sure I would never put the State Library in the Capitol. The -number of books the state legislature and officers use is very -limited.”—_Dewey._[37] - -Simple construction, appropriate fenestration, interior planning -beforehand with definite purposes, disregard of outside flights of steps -and porticos, compression of inside passages to a minimum, quiet and -restful shape and coloring, may yet produce buildings both useful and -beautiful, which people of taste will come thousands of miles to see. -Here is a fertile field for state librarians, state commissions, and -talented architects. - -=Historical.= Though not always on the same grounds as the state library, -most such libraries are situated at the capitol, and have similar -characteristics. They ought surely to have dignity and nobility of style, -as they have in subject. They are entirely reference libraries, and -should have preponderant accommodations for students and investigators, -but in proportion to their size they have needs as to storage of books -and for readers, very like those of other reference libraries. So far as -they include antiquities, they need museum rooms and corridors in their -buildings, usually assembly and lecture rooms, and always large fireproof -safe rooms or vaults. - -See full floor plans of the Wisconsin State Historical Society -Building.—_Adams._[38] - -=Genealogical and Antiquarian.= So far as libraries are called distinctly -antiquarian rather than historical, the museum function increases. -Antiquities, even strictly literary, require different treatment from -books. Glass doors for larger wall cases, glass cases for manuscripts and -incunabula, merit wider corridors and rooms of different proportions, -with different lighting. There must be more screens and free wall room -for maps, engravings and pictures. There must be different service and -supervision. - -Genealogy has become such a favorite fad, and has so many societies which -foster it, that separate space, perhaps separate buildings, will have to -be provided for it. The features of such buildings, however, need have no -marked distinction from historical and antiquarian libraries. - - -Educational - -The library needs of all these educational institutions are similar. It -has been said that there are three classes to be considered,—professors, -graduate or advanced students, and undergraduates. - -The ordinary youthful students do not get much time for general reading -and do not need unrestricted access to all the shelves. If they can get -at general and special reference books, their own text-books, and the -books recommended by their instructors, it is all they want. - -The professors and teachers, however, and to a certain extent advanced -students, may wish to browse anywhere, and can be trusted to go anywhere. -They want facilities for examining and selecting books in the stacks, -they want quiet rooms to take books to (perhaps several books) where they -can read, copy and write. - -The professors want department and “_seminar_” rooms, shelved sometimes -for permanent sub-libraries of their own technical books, always for -books of present use in their daily classes. They also like to have -individual rooms for study, and for their records. - -The relation of these rooms to the general library is the peculiar and -pressing problem of scholastic library building. Dr. Canfield said that -the question, shall departmental libraries be included in the building of -the general library? has not two sides, but a dozen. - -=School Libraries.= These should not perhaps be treated here, as they -rarely, perhaps never, have separate buildings. But as schools rise in -grade, or are grouped in large buildings, their libraries may attain size -and individual character, and the rooms assigned to them need careful -planning. Good light first, with cheerful aspect; an accessible central -position; wall shelving, combined perhaps with shallow alcoves opposite -windows; spaces and tables for teachers and for scholars of different -grades; a central space for general reference books, an attendant, and -what passing to and fro is necessary; as good artificial light as the -classrooms,—these would seem obvious desiderata. - -=College.= Colleges and universities vary little except in size, and -perhaps in the proportion advanced investigation and large departments -bear to prescribed undergraduate study. - -Rather open stacks, with carrels, would be preferable in a college; a -good general reading room, or a suite of rooms slightly differentiated; -nooks and private desks, with a private room or rooms for professors; -wall shelving in professors’, class or seminar rooms, with shallow -alcoves or floor cases at end of rooms for possibilities of enlargement. - -Simple, central, inexpensive administration, with tubes or telephones to -different rooms and departments; a central position in the college group -or building, ample provision for growth, as gifts come in—these points -suggest themselves. - -At the St. Louis Conference in 1889, a suggestion was made that inasmuch -as the library is the heart of a university, it should be given a central -position from which the other buildings should radiate.[39] - -=University.= Many universities are so large that most of their problems -have been suggested in the chapter on Very Large Libraries. - -Here the question of seminar or department libraries becomes acute. In -some respects it is analogous to that of branches to a public library, -but it is far more complicated. - -How many departments are to be provided for; how far can they be served -from the main library; if they are to have separate libraries, how large -should these be; do they need permanent libraries, or only books sent -from time to time; how far shall they duplicate the contents of the -central library; how far shall they have department librarians under -control of the general librarian? All these questions affect the planning -of buildings. - -Law and medicine generally have separate buildings and separate -administration. As to other departments, systems vary in universities. -Indeed, no two seem to have the same system. The one adopted at Brown is -simple, inexpensive, efficient. This assigns all the departments to a -separate building, not far from the central library, and connected with -it by telephone, tunnel, and mechanical carrier. This building has a -central room for one attendant. Round him are grouped the reference books -needed by all departments, and any professor, through him, can call books -at will from the delivery desk at the main library. In this arrangement -each department can have its own shelving, and its head can have an -adjoining private room, with convenient storage for his own books and -papers. - -A system, some variety of which seems common, provides wings or galleries -on various floors for the seminar rooms, more or less conveniently served -from the main library. - -Other universities have their departments dotted around the grounds, -wherever they happen to have been placed from time to time, without -apparent reference to the library, and served from it only by messenger. - -Others have seminar rooms built in various forms near the library -building, with bridges or arcades between, by which they have access -to their own branch of literature, stored in an adjacent part of the -library. - -Others again have rooms fitted more or less cleverly into the body or -corners of a general stack. A very convenient location would be a special -seminar story over the stack, with both top and side light, which would -allow a large number of rooms of any required sizes. - -Without the seminar complication, Mr. Patton[40] is perhaps right in -saying that the college library presents a simpler problem than the -public library, for it has less circulation, and no children to deal -with; but with it, especially on a large scale, this is one of the most -perplexing puzzles of library planning. - -Mr. Patton also suggests[41] that the best location for a college library -is one that does not require architectural façades on all sides, and that -a slope backwards has advantages. The same may be said of many other -kinds of libraries. - -In a recent number of the _Popular Science Monthly_[42] it is suggested -that a university might be built in a compact group, with a common -façade, as beautiful as possible; offices and lecture rooms to be -directly behind this show front; the library occupying a central position -further back, flanked by the departments, all connected and all built on -“the unit plan” for easy enlargement sideways, endways, up, or down. - -In recent projects, there seems to be a tendency toward schemes for -a college group, evolved evidently not from the use of the several -buildings, but from desire for architectural harmony. Those interested -in the library should strive to have it omitted from any such general -scheme, and relegated to any modest position in the background, where its -details could be worked out without any such exterior bias. - -The position of the general reading room is another major problem. In a -small college it can be put, as a single room or a suite, almost anywhere -within easy reach, near the main entrance, and preferably on the main -floor. In a large university a one-story ground floor room in the center -of the building, just back of the main entrance, not too high (lest the -roof cut off too much light from the lower windows of the wings opening -on the courtyard), would seem to be a good location. - -Administration rooms, as in other libraries, should be central, well -lighted, suitably collocated, and quiet. The delivery desk would better -be separate from the reading room, unless it could be combined with the -service desk in that room, and so placed toward the entrance end or side -as not to let the stir and noise disturb readers. - -Where to put the catalog cases adjoining both departments, with good -light, is usually another puzzle inviting study. - - -Public Libraries - -“For the American people the library of the future is unquestionably -the free public library, established with private or public funds, -and maintained wholly or in part at public expense under municipal -control.”—_Fletcher._[43] - -“The ‘public library’ is established by state laws, supported by local -taxation and voluntary gifts, and managed as a public trust. It is not a -library simply for scholars, but for the whole community, the mechanic, -the laborer, the youth, for all who desire to read, whatever be their -rank or condition in life.”—_William F. Poole._[44] - -“The library of the immediate future for the American people is -unquestionably the free public library, brought under municipal ownership -and control and treated as part of the educational system.”—_Dana, L. -P._[45] - -The building of the public library must recognize and serve these noble -aims. The idea of public libraries is as old as Rome; their aims are -essentially modern in their democracy. - -“Modern ideas of the functions of a public library are,—lending books for -home use; free access to the shelves; cheerful and homelike surroundings; -rooms for children; co-operation with schools; long hours of opening; the -extension of branch-library systems and traveling libraries; lectures and -exhibits; the thousand and one activities that distinguish the modern -library from its more passive predecessor.”—_Bostwick._[46] - -The impulse of these ideas should be practically felt in the planning of -buildings. Precedents, models, the fetters of architectural style, must -be thrown aside where they impede or hamper progress. Architecture must -march side by side with Library Science, should even lead it and show it -the most effective ways to work out the new idea. - -In the first place, “cheerful and homelike surroundings” do not accord -with lofty rooms, vast halls, and heavy architecture; and dazzling -decoration must not repel the man in a working suit. - -Popular features should not entirely banish books and accommodations for -students. “Every public library should be a library of study. Besides -professional scholars and teachers, even authors or editors among -residents, there are students in the higher schools, university extension -students, members of literary clubs, cultivated college graduates, -lawyers, clergymen, who should find congenial facilities in a building -meant for the whole community.”—_Fletcher._[47] - -On the other hand, it would be a shame to let such serious reading and -literature crowd out any popular or educational features, or take an -undue share of the construction or maintenance funds. - -What should be especially planned for, is inviting and cozy provision for -the ambitious young men or women who want to educate themselves either -by general reading, or by the special literature of their occupation in -life; and for the tired women whether housekeepers, workers or idlers, -who can find in books or magazines or papers relaxation and recreation -from their home burdens. - -Children’s rooms, now always a principal feature to be planned, will have -a separate chapter. - -=Branch.= The branch library, as distinguished from distributing or -delivery stations, has its own building, and deserves as careful study -as the main library in a small city. Branches vary from merely local -stations relying on main libraries for most of the administrative work, -to branches practically independent. The problem of branch libraries has -come into prominence recently, especially since Carnegie has made so many -gifts in this direction. Most of them fall into the “small” grade, but in -large cities many rise to the “moderate” and even “medium” figures. One -branch library in Philadelphia, with special endowment, cost $800,000, -but that is very exceptional. - -The first question is site. Good authorities say that there ought to be -branches about a mile apart; one, that is, within half a mile’s walk -of any family. Crunden says,[48] “The ideal would be to have a branch -library as often as we have a public school.” The average constituency -of branches in Great Britain is said to be 60,000. In this country it -has been suggested that there ought to be one for every 40,000 dense -population, or one to 25,000 in opener districts. But there can be no -invariable rule. Circumstances differ as well as available funds. - -Chas. W. Sutton of Manchester, in an article on branch libraries,[49] -summarizes:— - -“There should be a lending library for every 40,000 in close populations, -25,000 or 30,000 in scattered communities. - -“Placed on car lines in the thick of the population. - -“Not more than a mile apart. - -“Never more than 15,000 volumes in stock. - -“A majority consider 10,000 volumes a great sufficiency even in a large -city branch.[50] - -“No library with less income than $7,500 should try branches. It would be -cheaper to pay borrowers’ carfares to and from the main library.” - -See _Bostwick_, “Branches and Stations.”[51] - -A good general rule is to watch neighborhoods, especially outlying -districts, and notice where schools or fire department buildings are -demanded, and where little groups of local stores spring up. These groups -usually form in the most accessible localities in new districts. It has -been said that branches in residence quarters are more used than those in -business centers. This is undoubtedly true of business sections in large -cities, but, nevertheless, even locations in residence quarters should -be chosen for ready access, and ready access with local demands has -already selected such locations for stores in smaller places. A lot near -a schoolhouse is always good: it is handy for the children. - -Like other small libraries, branches have to be planned for easy -supervision and economical service, hence, all departments should be on -one floor, with high basement, if possible, for janitor, heating, toilet, -and possible social service functions, like classes and lectures. Provide -for delivery, a few quick-reference books, and a limited stock of books -to be lent. - -The number of books to be shelved will vary with the constituency, from -2,000 to 15,000 volumes—the fewer the better. When once settled, no -growth need be provided for, as disused books can be sent back to the -central library from time to time, to make place for new books. Nor -will administration grow largely. But growth in the parts allotted to -different kinds of reading, to children, and to social service functions -must be provided for, inside the building preferably. - -Corners, or railed-off parts of rooms, will separate periodicals and -other light reading from children, reference books and delivery desk. -Readers should be able to choose books and help themselves by absolutely -open access, to minimize cost of service. Very little provision need be -made for serious readers, who can be referred to the central library. If -any cataloguing is to be done at the branch, a librarian’s room must be -provided. If not, and there is only one attendant, an enclosed delivery -desk is enough, and the space usually taken up by a librarian’s room can -be given to books or readers. - -The conditions in city branches will be very similar to those in small -towns, with perhaps less of the neighborhood club, and more of the social -service idea, without any problems of increased storage of books, and -with more difficulties in foreseeing changes. - -As to cost, a report to the city of New York recommended $5,000 for small -branches, and up to $10,000 for large ones. But in Brooklyn and other -cities, separate branches for sections as large as, and situated like, -suburban towns, have cost as high as $150,000. - -A very interesting case of establishing several branches at once may be -found in a description of the Brooklyn plan.[52] - -In New York city, to get more branches than could be afforded in buying -expensive sites, and to get them where they were wanted, single buildings -in the midst of blocks have been taken. - -In England, many of the newer branches include “social center” functions, -not only ladies’, boys’, ratepayers’, conversation, and attendants’ tea -rooms, but even in one case a restaurant, which is expected “to provide a -large share of the cost of maintenance.” - -See _Bindery_, p. 253. - -See _Bostwick_, under Rooms for Classes, p. 325, _prox._ - -=Suburban.= Suburban libraries differ on the one hand from country -libraries in remote regions, and on the other from branches in cities. -They are near enough for “team work” with the library system of the city -in whose suburbs they lie, but they serve an independent community, often -jealous of its privileges. They have not quite the problems of growth of -the country library, because they can have an inter-library loan system -with the city libraries, or can arrange to refer to them many inquirers -and students. This possibility may limit the size and expense of their -buildings, and the necessity of providing for unlimited growth. - - -Exceptional Cases - -=Middle of Blocks.= Occasionally, as with the present Cincinnati Public -Library, and with the New York City branch libraries, circumstances -require the location of the building in a block. Of course this necessity -is a handicap. The problem of giving all the departments good positions -and full light is difficult when there is space all round the four walls, -but when both side walls are blank, ingenuity is required in providing -all the requisites for every department. Natural light everywhere is -impossible, and artificial light must be largely relied on. Whatever -features (like closets and stairs where there are no books to be picked -out or read) can be assigned to the middle or waist of each floor, will -leave more chance for front and rear use of clear daylight. The top -floor can be all utilized with top light. A light well from the center -of the roof will mitigate the dimness of illumination on staircases and -entries. The experience of New York is valuable for such problems, and -would doubtless be freely available. But it is a good rule to avoid such -locations, if possible. - -=Top Floors.= Exigencies of income may require a Board to rent part of -their building, as in the case of many of the “Mercantile” libraries -which still survive. While the St. Louis Public was a school-board -library, it had this experience. In these days of roomy and rapid -elevators, such a necessity is not so bad as it seems, especially if -one or two rooms in a public library could be left on the ground floor. -At the top there is usually good air, comparative quiet, coolness, and -light, even in smoky cities. Modern methods of construction carry -great weights safely, and it is possible to plan service and reading -rooms on the top floor with one or two-story stacks beneath, giving -fine accommodations with good business suites earning income, on floors -beneath. Separate elevators for business and for library purposes are, -however, essential. - -=Museums or Art Galleries in Same Building.= There is so rarely enough -money available to allow as much room as the library wants, and there is -usually so much friction in operating more than one institution under -one roof, that while there is general belief in the value of museums and -galleries as public undertakings, there is great unanimity among American -librarians that they are better apart. Few librarians with us have the -training which would fit them to undertake the superintendence of such -different departments, and fewer still would like to be superintended by -a musician or scientist. Yet, if together in one building, there should -be one superior officer for all, even if he be called only custodian. The -difficulties of planning a building to provide properly and amply for -more than one of these three functions are just three times the puzzle -of planning for one. Where a city wants to try it, or a donor insists on -it, it is far better to plan a group of three buildings on one large lot, -with such connection by arcades as would give a pleasing architectural -bond, without shutting out any light, at least from the library. - -Those who are interested in such combinations are referred to the English -library books and magazines, _passim_. The union of libraries and museums -in England, indeed, is so common as to be recognized in the Library Acts. -If art or other exhibitions are a feature of the library management, they -can be provided for as suggested under the head of exhibitions elsewhere. - -=Alterations and Enlargements.= Often existing residences or halls are -presented for library use. The proverb, “Never look a gift-horse in -the mouth,” does not apply in such cases. The gift building ought to -be examined all over by experts—an expert librarian and an architect, -if possible—before it is accepted. It will often be found to cost more -for alteration, before the old building can be quite suited to library -purposes, than a plain but satisfactory new building would cost. -Certainly it is unwise to hamper library efficiency out of a sentimental -regard for a donor, alive or dead. - -If the building is found susceptible of inexpensive alterations, which -would render it entirely suitable for such work as the library wants -to do, it will evidently be unwise to trust the task to an architect, -inexperienced in library alterations, or even to the advice of an -immature librarian. Here, if ever, is there need, from the side of -economy as well as the side of utility, of a wise library expert, for -fear of making a botch. - -So in making alterations in an old library building which requires -enlargement, do not accept the hasty suggestions of even the most -ingenious and confident trustee, or the prentice plans of a callow -librarian or a young architect. Get the best plan you can secure from the -best authorities. The best will be none too good for you. Justice to your -successors and to the next generation requires the utmost care in piece -work. - -See an article by Miss Annie B. Jackson,[53] on items and expense of -alterations at North Adams, Mass. The repairs there proved to outrun the -estimate. - -When you get your tentative plans and your rough estimates, get also a -rough estimate for a new building. You will often be surprised to find -how near the cost of alterations will come to that of building. If it -turns out so, better wait and get your ideal rather than patch up a -makeshift. - -But if, after deliberation, you vote to alter, there is one wise end -to aim at, that is, to spend as small a part of your available funds -for mere alteration, and as large a part for features which could be -utilized later for a permanent building, as may be possible. Witness, for -instance, the recent experience of the Salem Public Library.[54] They -had pressing need of more room, but could use only $70,000 for changes, -not enough for such a new building as they wanted, or could afford -while they had a perfectly sound old residence to use. But by ingenious -planning, they have been able to get a stack with an administration head -house, to which they can add later a main building when they need further -enlargement. They have spent a minimum in temporary changes on their old -dwelling-house, and have besides retained enough money to build a branch -library. - -=Altering New Buildings.= It is not only old buildings that need -altering. Too frequently a good librarian, alive to progress, and faced -with the problems of growth, finds himself promoted to a beautiful -building of such recent erection as to be financially exhausted, and -indisposed to spend money in necessary additions or alterations. The -question confronts him, how get more room with the least cost? - -In this fix, he will first look inside and see where he can house more -books, more readers, more attendants. Here shortcomings of the architect -may perhaps afford him at least temporary relief. The most likely fault -he finds will be wasted space, perpendicularly or laterally. Two faults -are bad; they cannot even be converted into virtues. These are domes and -ornamental staircases. Domes, to be sure, can be circled with galleries -to which unused books can be sent—a very brief palliative. And elevators -or lifts may be cut into stairs. But such makeshifts will not serve. - -More opportunities may be discovered in spacious vestibules, in wide -corridors, in lofty stories. The vestibules and corridors can be narrowed -to simply useful width, and their exuberance partitioned off into rooms. -Mezzanine floors can also utilize waste upper spaces. - -If money cannot be found for partitions and floors, for iron and wood and -paint, I see a good use for sliding cases, in the form Professor Little -has at Bowdoin—just two or more stories of this contrivance, set out in -the corner or at the side or in the middle of any useless stretch of -floor. - -Tables and chairs can invite an overflow of readers in any space not -needed for passage; temporary wooden shelving can be set against -any corridor wall; administration desks can be protruded into any -architectural waste. When you go to Washington, see what Mr. Bowerman has -done at the Public Library there. - - - - -B. - -PRINCIPLES - -_This Book groups together rather loosely, important considerations which -as said at the bottom of page 90 ought to be reiterated and hammered into -the consciousness of all concerned._ - - - - -B. - -PRINCIPLES - - -SPIRIT OF PLANNING - -Every new library building should be thoroughly planned with a view to -its class, scope, size, funds, site, environment, experience, and cost of -administration. True economy begins with a good plan. Not only present -cost but future annual costs depend on it. - -The main thing in beginning to plan, even in the first consideration of -building, is to set your ideal high. If your funds are not yet provided -do not take it for granted that they will be meagre. Study the scope of -your library, look hopefully into its future. What work should it do now; -what growth should it get in the next twenty-five years? What size and -area are needed to meet your utmost possibilities in that time? Consider -first only the essentials—they will be costly enough. When you have made -careful calculation of actual needs (and nothing else) ask your donor, -town or institution for what would cover them. Do not at first include -expensive material or ornament. If the body that is to pay requires -elegance, calculate cost of this and present it as a separate question. - -Set your ideal of utility high, and ask enough to cover it. If you cannot -get it, then and not till then will be time to decide what to surrender. - -If the amount to be spent is already fixed, still study ideals first. -Can we get all the requisites for this library within that sum? If it is -evidently impossible; if building thus would stifle usefulness or stunt -growth, ask for more. But if you cannot get it, or if you think the -appropriation can be made to cover the work, the ideal to aim at is to -pack into the building ample accommodation for every function you will -need to cover. - -Above all, make these calculations ahead. When the sum is finally fixed, -resolve to plan so carefully that the final cost will come within the -appropriation. Like a note to pay, this obligation is peremptory. - -“The main ideas are, compact stowing to save space, and short distances -to save time.”—_Winsor._[55] - -This axiom written a generation ago would serve to head this chapter now. -Also this, “In building, as in management, the wants of the great masses -of the public must be kept constantly in view.”—_Poole._[56] - -“The evolution of a design is not such a simple matter that the -finished idea can be produced in a short time, but it must depend -on a gradual evolution, based upon a thorough study of the local -conditions.”—_Patton._[57] - -“A building can be made both beautiful from the architect’s standpoint -and useful from that of its occupant, by constant consultation between -them, by comparison of views at every point, and by intelligent -compromise whenever this is found to be necessary.”—_Bostwick._[58] - - -Taste, Tact, Thrift, Thoroughness - -The spirit of planning is summarized in the apothegm on the frontispiece -of this volume. - -=Tastefully.= Although Vitruvius reckons beauty third and last among the -requisites of building, I can put taste first, because good taste covers -both beauty and use and should be the prevailing characteristic of every -detail of a library building. - -=Tactfully.= Webster defines tactful as a discerning sense of what is -right, proper, or judicious, and this sense applied to the details of -library planning would certainly tend to perfection. - -=Thriftily.= “Economical management” should be the keynote embodied in -every detail of library building. - -=Thoroughly.= This should be the pervading and controlling spirit. Plan -to the very end; aim for the very best; slight no least detail. - -This is so essential to proper planning that it deserves a separate -chapter. To lack of thoroughness on the part of building committees, much -of the disappointing character of existing buildings is due. They choose -an architect directly or by competition, and give him inadequate guidance -in his task. - -An architect knows much, especially where to look for knowledge, but it -is too much to expect him to master in a month or a year, together with a -score of other investigations, the intricacies of a complex and rapidly -developing science in which only a few librarians are expert after a -lifetime of study and practice. - -The committees, not experts themselves, have not secured a library expert -to formulate their problems thoroughly. Perhaps they have delegated -to their own librarian a branch of library science which he does not -know by experience, and cannot be expected to learn in a short time by -study; especially as his normal duties of running the library fully -fill all his waking hours, and part of his dreams. It is not so much a -lack of thoroughness on the part of the committee as an entire lack of -comprehension of how much there is to be thorough about. - -=Use Every Inch of Space.= Begin at the foundation and study every -detail. Study every entrance, passage, stairway, room, floor, piece -of furniture, stretch of shelving, up to the roof; sketch as you go, -sketch not loosely but to scale. Fit your parts together; leave no waste -space, no dark corner unutilized. Measure zealously and save every inch -of length, breadth and height; every useless cubic inch costs money and -wastes room. Plan a closet under every open staircase. Watch especially -the height of every story and every room. Do not allow any foot of height -not imperatively demanded for light or ventilation. Allow nothing for -mere architectural effect. Search even attic and ceiling to utilize -unutilized corners. Do not blame the architect, blame yourself, the -library expert, for any waste of space and money. - - -Economy Paramount - -In public buildings, the duty of rigid economy is clear,—economy in cost, -economy in space, provision for economy in administration. Even with a -lavish donor, his generosity should be guarded by economy, especially -if he does not endow his institution lavishly enough to provide for -upkeep and efficient management. This is an age of extravagance, not -only the extravagance of luxury, but that of necessity. With invention -and improved comforts of living, the luxuries of our fathers have become -the necessities of our children. This is just as true of libraries as -of households. Even with larger incomes than our fathers, we have to -be economical to live in health and comfort. With libraries and with -families as their income increases their wants increase—they never have -enough. Especially is forethought needed in building a larger house. Do -not spend too much on it; do not build it beyond your means. But get -everything into it you can reasonably afford to use. So with a library -building. If you have a given sum to spend, plan very carefully to get -all possible space and convenience for the cost. If you are planning to -ask for an appropriation or a gift, plan carefully to ask for no more -than you actually need;—your needs are sure to require as much as you -can afford. The tendency to extravagance is even more marked in public -buildings than in private life. Except in the case of rich men who feel -the increased burden of taxation, the average citizen is apt to vote -money for schools and libraries and city halls, without careful enough -inquiry into details and with rather a liking for show. But every real -friend of libraries ought to oppose extravagance as watchfully as he -would oppose parsimony, and plan so that a given amount of money will do -the most good. Use and not show should be his motto. Treat the library -liberally, but do not allow the library building to take so much as to -cramp the other good work of the community. - -“One of the most difficult features of the problem is adapting the views -of librarian and board to the cost limit.”—_Hamlin._[59] - -“Plan well within your limit; extra wants will come up as you -progress.”—_Eastman._ - - -Cost of Running - -Not only first cost but future annual cost of administration, depends -upon careful planning of the building. Care and repairs of expensive -material and ornament; cleaning, heating and lighting useless floor space -or height; inconvenience in use; separation of departments, will require -more attendants and more money, with worse service to the public. - -“Extravagance in library building is not so often found in lavish -ornament as in that unfortunate arrangement of departments which requires -three attendants to do the work of one or two.”—_Eastman._[60] - -“The salary of an extra attendant represents the interest on a sum which -would go far to make the arrangement of the parts of the building what it -should be.”—_Fletcher._[61] - -Duff-Brown[62] calculates that lighting, heating, repairs and cleaning -cost from 13 to 16 per cent of the annual appropriation for a library. -This percentage can be kept to its lowest limit by good planning, or -increased by bad planning. - -“A plan most economical in cost of building is often most economical in -cost of working.”—_Champneys._[63] - -“A simple plan is better and more economical.”—_Eastman._[64] - -Not only economy of construction but economy of administration is -imperatively demanded. - - -The Worst Extravagances - -The very worst possible waste in building a library is doubtless unduly -expensive material and unnecessary ornament. These items often mount up -into tens and even hundreds of thousands. They are worse than mere waste, -they are positive detriments. - -The next worst is perhaps architectural competitions, which are spoken -of at length elsewhere.[65] They are sure to cost a deal: payment for an -advisory architect, payment of prizes, payment of the jury. Here again -there is more than waste, there is delay, a false start, deliberate care -to put exterior before interior. - -The third common extravagance is parsimony in experts’ fees. -Champneys[66] in speaking of architects’ errors, says that “to this fact -must be attributed the suggestion that librarians should dispense with -the services of architects, and design their buildings for themselves.” -This suggestion may have been made in England, but never in America, -even in acute periods of despair over the trend of building. No American -librarian, no building committee, would think of dispensing with an -architect, though they might try to economize by getting a cheap one. - -But it is just as wasteful to cheapen your library adviser as your -architect. Because it has a librarian already, or because the architect -chosen is willing to tackle the job without expert advice (perhaps -more readily because he resents advice), or because it is inclined to -contemn and resent advice itself, the committee often commits willful -extravagance at the outset, saving at the spigot to waste at the bung, by -going poorly equipped into a serious task. - - -Economy of Expert Advice - -But “penny wise is pound foolish.” Saving first cost is not always true -economy. It would be foolish indeed to save on architect’s fees. For a -little one-room wooden building, to be sure, a local carpenter might do, -under the supervision of a clever librarian or a practical trustee. But -as soon as the building gets complex, get an architect. His fees will -save enough in convenience, in comfort, in grace, in beauty, in actual -money outgo to contractors, to prove themselves the best economy. Just -so, as the problem gets still larger and more complex, get the advice of -an expert librarian to help present it to the architect. He will more -than earn his fees by keeping down useless waste of space; by pointing -out how to economize in running expenses; by aiding the architect to -enhance the beauty of the building; by promoting and thus expressing its -true purposes. - -I have now had some personal experience in this matter which I will put -into percentages. From what I have seen, I not only believe, but know, -that one per cent of the cost of building, put into employing a really -competent expert librarian, will save from ten per cent to forty per cent -on the cost, in space, convenience and material. If you doubt, why not -verify the facts by inquiring of some trustees or donors who have tried -the experiment? They are surely unprejudiced and credible witnesses. One -per cent spent in saving ten per cent is a net economy, worth at least -considering. - -This principle, first applied to library matters by Henry J. Carr in -1891, has been recognized recently by the Mayor of Rochester. Having in -hand the establishment of a central library and a system of branches, -he sent for a leading librarian of great experience, got his advice, -for which a liberal fee was paid, and no doubt thus saved for the -city thousands of dollars which might otherwise have been wasted in -experiments and bungling. - -“The internal arrangements should be devised by a person practically -acquainted with the working of such a library as the building -is intended to accommodate, and not by architects or building -committees” (or inexperienced librarians) “without such experimental -knowledge.”—_Fletcher._[67] - -“There is an increasing disposition in planning libraries, to turn to -experts,”—_Foster._[68] - -No experienced librarian would allow without vigorous protest such waste -of space and money as is referred to in the Boston _Transcript_[69] thus: -“The increased cost of administration in some of the newer palatial -library buildings is alarming. In one, the cost was nearly threefold, in -another nearly fourfold what it was before.” This might have been saved, -or at least largely reduced, by paying a modest fee to a good expert. - -Calculate the cost of each cubic foot of wasted space, the cost for -twenty years to come of lighting, heating, cleaning and repairs -for useless space; the salary of additional attendants to care for -unnecessary processes, and you will find that economizing on advice will -waste thousands of dollars. - - -Problem Always New - -It is folly to try to copy except perhaps in a minimum grade library—in -embryo or rudimentary form. Perhaps in a very small and remote community, -without a trained librarian, with no experienced librarians near, and far -from a library commission, it would be safe to ask a local builder or -carpenter to duplicate some small building pictured in such a manual as I -have suggested, by Miss Marvin and Mr. Eastman. But never except in the -smallest grade. - -Even among the libraries usually called small, there are differences of -site, location, community, state of development, size, methods, aims, -funds, prospects of growth, which will distinguish or should distinguish -each new building from all other buildings. As soon as a library begins -to have a character of its own—and this development comes early in -America—its library problem merits and absolutely requires independent -study. Every community, every institution, wants to have a library suited -exactly to its characteristics, and the library should have a building -suited exactly to its character. - -“The problem presented to an architect by a library board is always -essentially new.”—_Mauran._[70] - -“Special and local conditions place a new problem before the builder -every time.”—_O. Bluemner._[71] - - -Plan Inside First - -Librarian and architect should collaborate from the beginning in every -interior detail. The exterior should not even be considered until the -interior has been entirely mapped out. - -This elemental maxim does not appear to have been laid down until the -formulation of the “Points of Agreement.” Indeed, the first mistakes -in building libraries, and the mistakes still too often made, may be -attributed largely to the search for precedents in style, the formulation -of the exterior before what it is to hold or express is defined. Most -architectural competitions (except those held to dodge responsibility -in selecting an architect) arise from an impression on the part of the -building committee and the board and community they represent, that the -looks of the library building, the effect it makes on the public, is the -main thing to secure, not so much the proper housing and handling of the -books. - -The whole argument of this volume is that a library _is a library_, a -book- and study-workshop or factory; only incidentally an ornament; no -more, certainly, than a schoolhouse needs to be. If so, its motives -are all utilitarian, to be studied out first of all, thoroughly and -faithfully, before a thought is given to exterior conditions, or -any details of exterior or interior ornament. This consideration -should be reiterated and hammered into the consciousness of all -concerned—architect, committee, community. - -“Taking into account the practical uses of the modern library, it is -readily seen that it needs a building planned from inside and not -from without, dictated by convenience rather than taste, no matter how -good.”—_Fletcher._[72] - -“Consider the plans first, rather than the elevation. The outside of the -library building is its least important feature.”—_Duff-Brown._[73] - -The buildings planned thus, by gradual development of ideal interior -arrangements, are very likely in the hands of a skillful architect to -turn out architecturally beautiful. For the designer, as he has advised -about structural points has gradually evolved from these details a -harmonious conception of what the library is to be and do, the relation -it holds to its surroundings and to the public, until an ideal scheme of -proportion and sympathy flashes into his mind, and Utilitas has led him -up to complete Venustas. - - -Never Copy Blindly - -I should not suppose that any building committee would be senseless -enough to “convey” an exterior from another building labelled “library,” -and try to cram their own institution into it, but in reading a recent -number of _The Librarian_ of London, I found this paragraph:[74] “Within -the last few weeks the surveyor was instructed to draw plans from a -photograph of another institution.... Without knowing all the factors -going to the making of the plan of a library in another part of the -country it would be impossible to say, without consultation, that they -would be suitable for the particular circumstances of this one.” But -it is not necessary to go so far abroad for a warning. We all remember -that eminent trustees and a distinguished architect went farther to -appropriate a design, and imitate it here in America—not often accused of -poverty of invention. The cult that admired it, admired it so much as to -copy their borrowed work for buildings they labelled “libraries” all over -the United States. If you do not realize the fidelity of this “copy,” and -if you own Champney’s “Public Libraries,” look at page 134, “The Boston -Public Library,” and then turn to “Bibliothèque Ste. Geneviève, Paris,” -opposite page 139. And if you have Burgoyne’s “Library Construction,” -read pages 255 to 257, which reflect in mild and courteous terms the -criticisms of American librarians on this architectural plagiarism. To -recall the criticisms of Winsor, or Poole, or Cutter, would not be so -mild. - -As a result of similar mistakes, librarians are united as to slavish -imitations of exteriors or interiors, but perhaps some small libraries -might be willing to copy an interior arrangement more or less closely. -Before doing so, however, they should secure overwhelming testimony as to -the practical merits of the plan as adapted to new needs; and even then a -practical librarian and architect could probably find modifications which -would make it more thoroughly fitted to all local conditions. Certainly -another plan ought not be copied until after careful consideration of all -present and anticipated requirements of the problem in hand. - -“No library can be successfully imitated from another.”—_W. A. Otis_ -(architect).[75] - -“No model plan can be said to be best.”—_Burgoyne._[76] - -“It is useless to attempt setting forward an ideal plan.”—_O. -Bluemner._[77] - -“A building committee is not likely to secure what it wants by copying or -even by competition.”—_Eastman._[78] - -Study precedents always and thoroughly, but do not try to follow any of -them implicitly, nor expect to find a type or model you can imitate. - - -Study of Other Libraries - -=By Visit.= The best preparation for planning, and later the best test -and corrective of your plans, will lie in visits to other libraries of -like grade, size, character, and constituency as your own, especially -if their librarians are intelligent, experienced, and thoroughly frank -about both the merits and the faults of their buildings, and will tell -you what to avoid as well as what to imitate. Observe carefully (with -note-book and pencil in hand) size and collocation of rooms; height of -walls; dimensions and make of furniture; suitability and finish of all -materials; effect of coloring; placing and size of windows; distribution, -effectiveness, and economy of artificial lights; all the various points -which will aid you in solving your own problems. Carry a measuring tape, -and get all dimensions down to scale. If your architect can go with you, -at least on a second or review trip, so much the better. If he cannot do -this, have specific recommendations ready for him at your next conference. - -=Examining Plans.= Next to personal visits, intelligent inspection and -comparison of plans will help you after you have gone some way toward -formulating your own plans. I would not advise too premature, or too -promiscuous study of plans. There are so many accessible to a searcher, -of so many different grades, and such varying degrees of excellence, that -indiscriminate and reckless inspection is very apt to bring on mental -dyspepsia. - -Disregard at first exteriors, which distract attention from essentials. -Confine yourself to floor plans and interiors of libraries of your own -size and class. Preferably take modern plans, certainly those of leading -libraries in all sections which are imbued with the modern progressive -ideas. You will find no lack of material. If you use it wisely and -eclectically, it will help clarify your ideas. Note the plans which seem -to you best; go back to them again and again; at each study discard those -which are less satisfactory; and when you have reduced your list to a -few very nearly right, compare them with your own sketches until you are -quite sure that you have incorporated all their best points. - -You will not perhaps have much access to English books. If you do you -will find interesting views and plans in Duff-Brown, Burgoyne, Champneys, -and Cotgreave; but they will hardly help you much, because English -methods are somewhat different from ours. Some late plans for large -libraries, given in “The Librarian,” seem to show wasteful attempts -at architectural effect. Three things in the plans of small English -libraries, you will note, and should learn from—the clever adaptation of -irregular sites, the effective use of top-light, and the economy of space -in entrance halls. - -In America there are plans in plenty. The most helpful are the most -recent. - -Koch has over a hundred plans from all parts of the country, including -branches, most of them costing from $10,000 to $50,000. But as yet he has -no letter-press to explain the plans. - -Miss Marvin gives exterior and interior views and floor plans, with full -descriptions of twenty libraries, costing from $2,600 up to $75,000. -No one should plan a library of any size without giving her pamphlet a -careful reading. - -Eastman gives exteriors, interiors and floor plans of twenty-five -libraries, ranging in cost from $1,170 to $80,000. - -H. B. Adams has twenty-five exteriors, forty interiors and only thirteen -floor plans. Bostwick has seven floor plans. - -The Massachusetts Public Library Commission Report for 1899 shows one -hundred and twenty exteriors, with letter-press giving costs, but no -interiors or floor plans. - -The Boston Public Library Index to Plans of Library Buildings, second -edition 1899, refers to over twelve hundred illustrations in various -books, pamphlets and periodicals, of which the largest number are only -exteriors, a few are interiors, one hundred and twenty only are floor -plans. - -There are many exteriors of libraries, usually without interiors or floor -plans, published in popular and in architectural periodicals, but very -few of them furnish valuable suggestions as to planning. Indeed much plan -hunting will rather daze than instruct an investigator. A common defect -in plans is the total absence of information about the height of rooms—a -vital measurement. Indeed every plan should tell, both the height of each -story, floor to floor, and the height of each room, floor to ceiling. - -There are many interesting plans, with descriptions, scattered among -annual or special library reports, but these have not been indexed -together in any one place. If one of the library-schools could compile as -a thesis, an index to plans of library buildings in books and magazines, -distinguishing between exteriors, interiors, floor plans and letter-press -information, and if someone like Mr. Eastman or Miss Marvin could supply -comments as a guide through this mass of material, it would be a good -thing for the A. L. A. Publishing Board to father. The A. L. A. itself -once attempted to get a collection of floor plans and got about a hundred -sets as a start, but I believe has never prepared any such card-index of -features, with such comments as would make them valuable. I believe the -Library Bureau has also a considerable collection of plans. - - -The Life of a Library Building - -This is a crucial question in problems of building. In a recent -discussion as to how much should be appropriated a trustee soberly -urged that the library should have the finest, the most impressive, the -most beautiful building in town, and that it should be built solidly -enough to last hundreds of years, like the mediæval cathedrals. But -besides the question of first cost, how far can a town afford to go in -its expenditure for a library, while it has schools to build, roads to -improve, sewers to lay, parks and playgrounds to develop? Besides this -comes the question whether it is wise to erect such barriers to change as -the walls and partitions of a too solid building would offer. - -Opinion of librarians is practically unanimous to the effect that growth -or change of methods will bring need of alterations, additions, or entire -rebuilding, in all active libraries in less than a generation. Thus,— - -“Librarians are among the most progressive of the world’s workers and a -library building, however well arranged, may be out of date in a year or -so.”—_Edward B. Green._[79] - -“You cannot foresee the future. Provide for ten years” (in a small -library).—_Miss Marvin._ - -“Estimate growth for twenty years.”—_Eastman._ - -“It is not only unnecessary but unwise to plan for more than thirty years -ahead, because library administration may radically change.”[80] - -“Twenty-five years will probably find your building out of date, out of -place, and a burden.”—_Dana._[81] - -“In England the Manchester library outgrew its building in forty-three -years; at Leeds, in twenty-three years; at Glasgow, in twenty years; at -Birmingham, in thirty years.”—_Burg._[82] - -My own calculations have been made for twenty-five years and I should -call this the life of the average library building. Unless in very -stagnant institutions and communities, there is sure to come, in much -less than that time, say in five or ten years, growth in books or in -use, requiring enlargement; again, equal growth in the next five, or ten -years. Then the enlargements become entirely inadequate to new conditions -or new management, and by the time the building has been occupied -twenty-five years the trustees are fortunate if they have so little money -invested that they can afford to pull it down and build a more modern -building, arranged according to the latest ideas for the latest wants. - -On the other hand an institution or a town may have money given it by a -donor who wants a handsome and solid building. The question will then -arise, “How compromise between certainty of change, and desire for -permanence?” Why not in such case do what has been suggested for college -libraries—put up a fine façade, to last a century or more, and use -modern methods of light construction for all behind it; thus combining -architectural effect with ease of alteration? - - -The Time to Build - -=Don’t Build too Soon.= All authorities warn against building prematurely. - -“It is a risky undertaking for a board to erect a building in the first -stage of their enterprise. Better wait until its wants are developed in -temporary quarters.”—_Wm. F. Poole._[83] - -“Don’t build until you have the library, the librarian, and the -money.”—_J. C. Dana._[84] - -“Get your librarian, books, and methods first. Use rented rooms until you -know what you want. Almost any rooms can be made to serve as a beginning, -and can be so planned that the fixtures and furniture are all available -for a new building. Experience will then teach just the kind of building -that is needed for that particular town and library.”[85] - -=Alter Sparingly.= In a building given you already occupied, make such -not too expensive enlargements or alterations as growth absolutely -demands, but take a long look ahead toward rebuilding. With the changes -in library methods developing so rapidly, a patched old building soon -becomes hopelessly out of date, and clogs progress. Better save up money -and cultivate opinion in favor of building anew. Looking a generation -ahead, economy alone will demand, at some not distant time, a building -in which economy of time and service will be possible. Do not go down to -posterity in patched-up old clothes. - -=But Begin to Prepare Early.= As soon as your librarian is selected, your -books bought, and your method started, it is never too early to think and -talk building. It will take a long time of fixed purpose to work up to a -gift or an appropriation. To canvass merits of sites, to study precedents -of management, to calculate chances of development, to educate your -librarian, to watch and ask about architects, to pick out deliberately -the ideal building committee, will occupy many interesting hours at board -meetings and consume months or years of preparation. While you are about -it, time so taken will allow you to accumulate a lot of information, and -to mature your judgment. If you have your librarian get him to look up -the files of the library journals, and the annual reports of libraries -of your grade and class, and such as are rather ahead of you, who have -already realized what your future may be. In these you will pick up here -and there many useful hints of experience. If you go to library club -meetings and talk with trustees and librarians with similar problems -to yours; if you take an occasional leisurely jaunt to well-managed -neighboring libraries, you will absorb and be able to digest ideas which -a hurried search, after beginning to build, might not elicit just when -you want to use them. - -=And do not Put Off too Long.= But when you are ready, go! Patient -preparation has fitted all for wise decision and prompt action. There -is a psychological moment at which public or donor may be carried by -storm, and the necessary funds can be secured. He who hesitates then, -is surely lost. When the money is secured, and sufficient experience or -advice has been accumulated, the sooner you decide to begin to plan, the -better. Beginning to plan, however, is remote from actual building. “Well -lathered is half shaved” is a homely proverb, and the analogy holds in -library planning, even for the smallest building. Months to formulate and -fit together the first sketches, months to work them out practically with -the architect, many conferences with the building committee, time after -decision to prepare working plans, time still to invite and compare bids, -then the slow processes of building,—there is a deal of delay ahead after -the decision is made to build. You have just about got half through when -you finish these preliminaries. - -The time to build is therefore when you are very sure everything is -ripe for action;—methods, preparation, plans, enthusiasm, harmony, good -advice, suitable agents, sufficient funds. - - -Size and Cost - -At the outset either the cost must be estimated as the first step toward -getting an appropriation, a subscription, or a donation; or the cost has -already been provided for, and the first step must be to see how large a -building it will allow. - -In the former alternative, it is necessary to ascertain how many books -are to be provided for, how many readers there may be in the several -departments to be covered by the work of that particular library, and how -large a staff can be afforded, with ample elbow room for them all. The -figures thus collected will enable an expert to give the number of rooms -and passages required, with a maximum and minimum size, and a tentative -location of each room. By deciding on the number of stories and the -height of each, the architect can then pack all into the least possible -space and calculate first the area of each floor and the cubic contents -and cost of an adequate building, to be verified by the average cost of -similar libraries in similar locations, built under similar conditions. -A rough but surprisingly close estimate of the proper limit of cost may -be reached through reversing Carnegie’s stipulation for a pledge of an -annual ten per cent on cost for running expenses; and taking ten times -what the library costs a year to run, or will take after completion. The -result is testimony to the wisdom of Mr. Carnegie’s library advisers. - -In the latter alternative the librarian and architect can at once get -an approximation to a size which the cost will allow by dividing the -sum available by the same _pro forma_ cost per cubic foot. Having thus -arrived at the maximum of size, they can tentatively assume the height -and divide the cubic contents by it, to find how many square feet can be -afforded to a floor. After this comes the puzzle how to get into this -space the proper collocation of all the rooms wanted, as large as they -ought to be. - -See interesting calculation as to number of users to be provided for in -the different departments (in England, not quite the same as ours) for -towns of various sizes, by Champneys,[86] quoting Duff-Brown. His tables -may suggest a basis of calculation here. See also Duff-Brown in his own -book.[87] - -=The Cubic Cost.= This question is not difficult, if you can reach a -fairly exact standard for cost per cubic foot. Of course this will vary -with the material used, and with the cost both of material and labor -in different localities. Various authorities quote it variously. In -the problems I have personally investigated, in eastern New England, -I have found that thirty-five cents cost per cubic foot, for a simple -warehouse-construction building, including stack and furniture, was not -too much to allow. But Miss Marvin[88] says that in the Middle West -the building proper will cost from 11 to 14 cents per cubic foot, or -large solid buildings 20 to 25 cents, plus 10 per cent of the total for -fees, furniture and finishing. As I always include these items in my -calculations, the estimates are not far apart. - -Our English brethren are able to do somewhat better if Champneys is -correct—he ought to be, he is an architect. He says, “As a general rule, -1s. per cubic foot is probably about the right allowance in London, if -all fixtures are included, while 9d. or 10d., or less, is sometimes -sufficient in the provinces.”[89] Perhaps, however, he does not include -fees and furnishing. - -To calculate cubes, outside measurements of the walls should be taken for -the square area, and the height should be measured from the floor of the -basement to the roof, or to half-way from eaves to ridge-pole, if the -roof is not flat. - -=Limiting Annual Outlay.= In planning remember to watch not only first -cost, but future expense of running your library. The more expensive -your material, the larger its maintenance will probably be for care and -repair. The larger your halls and stairways, the more diffuse your rooms, -the farther departments are separated, the more wasteful your heating -and lighting, the more your service will cost. Good planning may easily -save you ten per cent on first cost, and twenty per cent every year for -the life of the building—a whole generation. Calculate this saving for -yourself, and be careful! - -“It is impossible to have good administration without a building properly -planned,”—_The Libr. Asst._[90] - -An architect generally overlooks those essentials which may appear -trivial, yet are of the greatest importance.—_Ibid._ - -=Cutting Down Cost.= From the first a wise planner will study to limit -expense in every detail. After all possible economy, however, the wants -will so outrun the possibilities, that when architect and librarian and -adviser have agreed on a plan and it has been accepted by the building -committee, the first experimental estimates will go beyond the limit. - -On what points will it be possible to cut down, without serious -sacrifice, from the library point of view? - -In the first place, _size_. As cost is largely in proportion to cubic -contents, every cubic foot saved pares down expense. It will generally be -hard to spare floor area anywhere, but there can often be reduction of -height in rooms or floors. The only real library requisites of height are -air-capacity, and reach of light from windows across rooms. The architect -often wants certain heights for architectural effect,—but always try to -pin him down to what is actually necessary for comfort in every room, and -point out where mezzanine rooms would serve in high stories. - -In the next place comes ornament, exterior and interior. In the John -Hay library at Brown University, several thousand dollars’ expense was -saved by omitting the cornice around the outside rear wall of the stack -room, without sacrifice of effect. In the Brookline cut-down,[91] several -thousand dollars were saved by omitting two ornamental but superfluous -gardens outside. - -In a city, try to get the park department to assume the cost of laying -out the library grounds. - -Then the entrance and halls and staircases, as originally sketched, will -be often found unnecessarily large when tested by library requirements. -At Brookline the larger part of the saving was made on such extras. -Outside steps, platform, columns, cornices, balustrades and the like, are -often superfluous. - -On material, again, much permissible saving can be made. Inquiry of the -architect will elicit that less expensive material or finish will give as -much strength, durability and also as good effect as the first choice. - -“Shingles instead of slate, plain glass instead of plate glass, cheaper -brick, cheaper finish, omitting fireplaces, using wood floors instead of -tile.”—_Miss Marvin._[92] - -“Don’t waste money in too substantial construction and -_fireproofing_.”—_Stanley._[93] - -When the inquiry is made of him, the architect will usually prove to be -suggestive as to economies. He will be much more interested in savings -than in extravagance, and he knows just where savings can be made without -real sacrifice of strength, utility, or beauty. In fact, it is here and -in suggestion of alternatives in meeting library needs, that a practical -architect will often surprise the librarian. - -Indeed, I have been surprised myself in finding how keen an architect -can be when this question comes up. One would think he would hate not -only to forego any of his commission, but also to give up what seem to be -essential elements in a harmonious scheme. But in all economies of this -kind in which I have taken part, the architect has thrown himself into -problems of saving with as much zeal as if he were to benefit rather than -the owner. - - -Open Access - -The admission of readers freely to the shelving, both readers who want -to select books to borrow for home-reading, and those who wish to select -from the shelves books for serious reading in the building, has become a -common policy of libraries under the name of “open access.” - -For the benefit of borrowers of new books, popular books or late fiction -(in children’s rooms, children’s books), open-access rooms are usually -provided with wall or floor shelving, or alcoves so widely spaced as to -allow free inspection of the books. Where there is not a separate room or -suite of rooms, there is a corner of the light-reading room shelved for -this use. - -See “Carrels”[94] as to open access to the stack. - -“Let the shelves be open, and the public admitted to them. Give the -people such liberty with their own collection of books as the bookseller -gives them with his.”—_Dana._[95] - -This development of use has changed the problems of planning in our -generation more than any other new idea, as will be realized in looking -at floor-plans of any of the old libraries. - -The decision of the librarian and the trustees as to what policy is to -be adopted in all parts of the building in relation to open access will -largely govern planning of all the departments. Even after a decision is -given, the question will arise, “Ought provision be made for possible -changes of method in future?” - - -Light, Warmth, Fresh Air - -After the library is finished, the staff will have to work and the public -to read in it. - -The eyesight of everyone that enters the building is dependent on the -steady soft incidence, reflection, diffusion, concentration, abundance, -of natural and artificial light supplied; their comfort summer and winter -depends on the amount of heat tempered or admitted; the clearness of -their brains, their ability to read and comprehend depends on methods -of ventilation; the permanent health of all obliged to stay any length -of time in the library may be seriously affected by the care or neglect -of those who plan these vital elements of construction. Better have the -building plain, even ugly, with these essentials perfect, than impressive -and elegant without them. - -From the very first, in planning small or medium, the large, or the -largest libraries—in corridors, rooms, hails, or stacks,—ponder these -needs as you go on, seek defects or merits in these directions as -you visit other buildings; set aside sufficient time for special and -deliberate study and review of these problems, librarian, adviser and -architect in solemn conclave, and resolve to have your building, in these -particulars at least, the best one not only in your own state, but in -America and in the world. - -As is elsewhere urged again and again, spend what money you have to -spare, in such essentials, rather than in the luxuries of unnecessarily -expensive material, decoration, or furniture. - -See special chapters, later on, on Lighting, Heating, and Ventilation. - - -Faults to be Looked For - -In visiting other libraries or looking at other plans, the virtues are -sometimes hard to detect, but there are some faults even a novice can -see. For instance— - - Heaviness or embellishment of exterior, unsuited to a library. - Arched or pointed, mullioned or leaded windows, obstructive of - light. - Domes, with rotundas beneath. - Columns and porticoes. - Overhanging roofs or cornices. - Stories, corridors, or rooms, unnecessarily high in the walls. - Waste of floor space. - Ornamental and excessively broad or massive stairways. - Stairs and corridors separating rooms which should adjoin. - Poor light anywhere; light in the eyes of readers instead of on - the backs or pages of books. - Drafts, or absence of air. - -These are a few common faults; any good librarian can suggest others from -his or her own experience. - -As the classes of library schools go about visiting libraries, it would -be well to have some expert instructor or guide point out obvious faults -of construction. The local librarian could best show merits. Special -reports or theses on buildings would advance the cause of rational -planning among the coming generation of librarians. - - -Frankness Among Librarians - -A certain amount of reticence among librarians in talking about faults of -their own buildings to visitors, leads me to write this chapter. Whether -it is due to diffidence in posing as critics without enough experience, -or more likely to a spirit of loyalty to their institution, I have not -been able to determine. But certainly such a spirit is disloyal to the -cause of library science. No progress can be made in building if every -librarian must act only on his own experience for his own building. Every -sensible man can see the good, the bad and the indifferent among the -tools put into his hands. Every practical man can suggest corrections of -faults, perfection of the mediocre, even improvement of the good. When -a brother-librarian who is about to build comes to ask advice and look -over methods and means, the largest loyalty is due to one’s profession -and the public, and the incumbent ought to give full benefit of his -experience and his opinion to the visitor, under the pledge of silence -if he wishes, but concealing nothing. His opinions may be mistaken, his -experience slender, but the very statement will challenge the judgment of -the inquirer and enlarge the scope of his vision. - -So the visitor in his turn, after going through his planning, and -occupying his new library, ought to pass the methods he has selected, -minutely in review, and speak or write of them to visitors, at clubs, or -in professional periodicals, with like frankness. If he will be candid -about his own experience, a librarian who has just built may be the -wisest critic possible, and may doubly help those who follow in his path. - -He who has experimented with a new device or a new method, if he tests -thoroughly, impartially and sanely, can be especially useful to his -fellows by frankness in reporting his praise or criticism. - -Indeed, every experienced librarian who is also ingenious, ought to -try experiments as he has the opportunity, not only in methods but in -appliances. A hundred bright minds, working in the same direction, will -be sure to hit upon new devices which will simplify processes and better -the building and furnishing of years to come. - - -Service and Supervision - -These are underlying elements of library planning which only a librarian -who has practised them thoroughly understands. Even the “library -architect” may fail to grasp these on a new problem. - -“Have the building convenient for both work and supervision, where many -a costly building fails. Have all departments in harmonious relations, -so as to serve the public best, and at least cost in money, time, and -labor.”—_Eastman._[96] - -=Service.= Short lines for every process are the essential. There -has been rather a tendency among architects to imagine that modern -contrivances can overcome space, but every step, every motion, takes -time; every step, every motion saved, promotes efficient service, and -keeps the public waiting a second less. If you use pages or “runners,” -plan to shorten their runs. If you use mechanical substitutes, speed them -up, run them on straight lines, avoid complications and corners. Study -every motion, every handling of a book in all the processes of a library, -and save a second here and a second there. In sizable buildings, you will -thus be able to save not only minutes but often hours through every work -day of their future. “Many a mickle saves a muckle,” is true of packing, -passing, cataloguing, handling, cleaning, collecting, distributing. - -Do not be deceived by the suggestion that labor-saving devices change -principles. A yard is more than a foot, by machine as well as by boy. -Save time on machines as on pages. Your needs will soon outrun both. - -=Supervision.= “Helpfulness should be aimed at, rather than supervision,” -says Champneys,[97] and certainly it should be aimed at _with_ -supervision. Accessibility to helpless inquirers invites as well as -facilitates easy inquiries. But in America we find that supervision -deters as well as detects disorder, noise, mutilation, theft. - -Duff-Brown[98] calls attention to one aid not often thought of,—the -supervision of one reader over another. This acts where students and -serious readers congregate, but somewhat fails in periodical and -light-reading and children’s rooms. There supervision is more necessary. - -In small libraries, supervision from the delivery desk is all that -is generally possible. It can be facilitated by open floors, glass -screens, avoidance of corners or projections, and radial bookcases. In -larger libraries, provision for attendants at strategic points, such as -corners which command adjoining rooms, can be so arranged as to help and -supervise with minimum service. A well-arranged desk for each attendant -placed thus on picket, will enable him or her to pursue any assigned desk -work, without interfering with supervision or information. - -Supervision of doors, entrance halls and stairways, is most necessary;—in -small libraries, from the desk; in large libraries, through hall porters, -who can also watch art treasures and exhibition cases, as well as direct -visitors, and avert undesirables. - - -Decoration: Ornament - -Ornament is the last thing to think of about a library. Noticeable -exterior ornament is not needed for dignity, and conflicts with -simplicity, two appropriate library qualities. “Outside ornament is often -vulgar,” says Champneys.[99] Even statuary is not in keeping unless the -building has memorial purposes, for which additional funds have been -provided. Inside attempts at ornament are often grotesque. Marble columns -are out of place, marble walls and staircases showy rather than sensible, -wall or ceiling frescoes distracting, floor inlays disconcerting. If -funds allow, such features and portraits in vestibules, passage-ways and -conversation rooms do not interfere with reading or service. Portraits -of donors or deceased trustees or librarians may do in delivery-rooms or -light-reading rooms in which exigencies of use require high enough walls -and few enough windows to leave available wall space. But in rooms for -serious reading, there should be no features of any kind to interfere -with reading or attract non-readers. Burgoyne comments,[100] “In Boston, -the decorative art makes the public rooms art galleries instead of places -for study. The two objects are quite incompatible. The crowds who gather -to inspect the decorations are a nuisance to the student who comes to -study.” See also the Report of the Examiners of the Boston Public Library -in 1895. - -“In the reading rooms, ornament which attracts the eye and creates -interest, is a hindrance to the usefulness of the rooms.”—_Beresford -Pite._[101] - -“Interior decoration should be subordinated to the use of the -building.”—_Champneys._[102] - -Isadore, Bishop of Seville[103] (A.D. 600) says that “The best architects -object to gilded ceilings in libraries, and to any other marble than -cipollino for the floor, because the glitter of gold is hurtful to the -eyes, while the green of cipollino is restful to them.” - -From this it appears that the architects of that age were more -considerate of readers than some in our own generation. - -=Coloring.= I would draw a distinction between ornament and decorous -decoration. If as much attention be given to the æsthetic influence as -to the irradiating and ophthalmic effects of shades of color on wall -and ceiling, the resulting beauty would at the same time charm, soothe -and satisfy all visitors. Sufficient study is rarely ever given to this -element of “Venustas.” In one of my own early problems, I employed a -young artist who had a reputation as a colorist, to select tints for -different rooms, with a result which fully justified the small fee he -charged. - -See four tints suggested at page 15 of the Boston report, mentioned under -“Light, Artificial.”[104] From that report,[105] I quote:— - -“For bright, sunny rooms a very light green is probably the best shade.” - -“For darker rooms, a light buff.” - -“The ceiling should be white, or slightly tinted.” - -“The woodwork should be of a light color such as that of natural woods. -_Under no circumstances_ are dark walls and woodwork permissible.” - -(This applies to schoolrooms, but what applies to scholars equally -applies to readers in libraries, and these precepts apply to furniture as -well as to the other woodwork.) - -Miss Marvin[106] suggests that,— - -“Green, yellow, terra-cotta, light brown, and tan are good.” - -“No decoration is necessary except tinting.” [Excellent.] - -“Corticene or burlap is good background for pictures.” - -“Only one color is desirable for the interior of a small library.” - -=Reflection of light.= Not only is color of walls and ceiling a prime -element in decoration, but it also plays a large part in the cheerfulness -and effectiveness of diffused light, both natural and artificial; -especially in systems of indirect lighting. To select colors bright -enough to reflect, and soft enough not to dazzle, is one of the nice -problems of planning. - - -Architectural Styles - -I dislike to stray upon the architect’s province, but this subject -affects planning so radically, that I will venture to allude to it here, -not as advice to architects but as a warning to building committees. In -many conditions for competitions and in many discussions among trustees -where there happen to be amateurs in architecture on the board, I see -directions or hear suggestions about this or that style. To formulate any -specific direction to the architect on this point at the outset seems -to me a fatal mistake. The style ought to develop from the needs of the -particular problem in hand. Until the architect knows just what he has to -construct, to prescribe any conventional style only cramps him. Neither -practical libraries nor American architecture can be developed by such -swaddling clothes. Select an architect who can be regarded as competent -and let him choose or create a style without lay dictation, after he -comprehends his whole problem. Remember, you are not burying an old -style; you are in at the birth of a new one. - -“The most noticeable thing about architectural styles is the -spontaneity of their growth, developing from the obvious conditions of -building.”—_Russell Sturgis._[107] - -“Having agreed on a good plan, you cannot properly say to the architect, -‘We must have a classical building.’ It is the most difficult of -all styles; formal symmetry requiring exceptional skill in the -architect.”—_W. A. Otis._[108] - -Montgomery Schuyler writes, in his article on the “United States,” for -Sturgis’s Dictionary of Architecture,[109] “For more than a generation, -scarcely a public building was erected which was not at least supposed -by its builders to be in the Grecian style. Nothing could have been -practically more inconvenient than the requirement that one or more -parts of a building divided into offices should be darkened by the -projecting portico. In many cases this difficulty was sought to be -obviated by converting the central space into a rotunda,—a wasteful -arrangement.” Such is an architect’s comment on a feature which has been -the librarian’s _bête noir_. - -To quote further from this interesting article:— - -“The United States had thus nothing to show in current building but -copies of a pure and refined architecture, implicated with dispositions -entirely unsuitable to almost all practical requirements. - -“Even the most thoughtful of revivalists were apt to take mediæval -architecture as a more or less literal model, rather than as a starting -point for modern work. - -“The later graduates (of the French school) devoted themselves, not -to developing an architecture out of American conditions, but to -domesticating current French work.” - -(By the Chicago World’s Fair) “classic, in one or another of its modes, -was re-established as the most eligible style for public buildings. No -architect would now think of submitting in competition a design for a -public building, in any other style than that officially sanctioned in -France. - -“There is no longer any pretence of using the selected style as a basis -or point of departure to be modified and developed in accordance with -American needs and ways of thinking, and with the introduction of new -material and new modes of construction.... In civic buildings it may -be said as a rule that there is no longer even an aspiration toward a -national architecture.” - -After discussing at length modern commercial buildings, Mr. Schuyler -concludes with a sentence which may well be applied to libraries: “Out of -the satisfaction of commonplace and general requirements may arise the -beginnings of a national architecture.” - -Will there ever be evolved a distinctive library architecture? I -hardly think so. It will be possible to recognize a library as you can -now tell a schoolhouse; but libraries if well planned will have more -individualism, I think, more characteristic charm, than the generality of -schoolhouses, but not a uniform architecture. - -It is possible indeed that library loveliness will be developed as a -recognizable type. - - -Amateurs Dangerous - -In looking back on the experience of thirty years, I am inclined to think -that most danger in library planning lies in amateur interference. Not -so much in amateur librarians. When a trustee gets interested in library -methods he often graduates into the profession, and becomes a leader. For -instance, Justin Winsor, who began as a trustee, became a librarian, and -by vigorous work did more to make his occupation a profession than any -other one American. Even when the trustee stops short of this, he may -sometimes worry his librarian by half-knowledge and undue interference -in administration, but such a man is not apt to impede in building, for -his library zeal will move him to support the practical side in any -discussion. - -But when a trustee (or, alas! a librarian) is an amateur architect, one -of those laymen who spend an English vacation all in cathedral towns, and -a French tour all in the château district, he is apt to be troublesome, -and to want what he considers good style in architecture rather than good -methods of administration. If he is put on the building committee, and -it selects a too artistic architect, one who magnifies “Venustas” unduly -at the cost of “Utilitas,” the library is doomed. Its new building may -be widely pictured in the magazines, but it will not be so much used -by readers, or praised by librarians. Better modest ignorance, with -common-sense, than too much half-knowledge and pseudo-taste in art or -architecture. - - -Dry-rot Deadening - -One of the greatest dangers in building is dry-rot—not in material or -books, but human desiccation. - -There is not much to fear from the architect. Unless he is too much -wedded to precedents and styles, he will be progressive enough, under -good advice. But a board of trustees, often composed of elderly men, may -be ultra-conservative, remembering and clinging to the memory of library -methods and especially old styles of library buildings, current when -they were young. If they are wise enough, however, to choose a building -committee of sane and open-minded men, whose recommendations, founded on -expert advice, they will listen to, these votaries of tradition will not -prove too obstructive. - -After all, the real danger is from the local librarian who has stopped -growing. Just as there are children in school who are bright scholars -only up to a certain point, where they seem to stop growing, there are -men and women librarians, very progressive at first, who come to an age -of suspended growth, and absolutely exclude either new ideas or the -comprehension of future development. They may have served so well in the -past, or be so popular personally, or discharge many of their functions -so well, that they are retained in their positions as librarians. They -may still be useful in the every-day service of the public, but such -stunted progress will utterly unfit them to act as building advisers, who -require a large view of the future. If you have such a one as your local -librarian, it is your first duty to get him the best expert you can find -to spur him up. Unless the reactionary is also impracticable or jealous, -he may work well in harness with an adviser, by giving full presentation -of local needs. - - - - -C. - -PERSONNEL - -_In this Book are discussed the various phases of the personal equation -which affect the success or failure of library planning._ - - - - -C. - -PERSONNEL - - -The Public - -The root of library opinion and support is public sentiment. Indirectly, -it nourishes the spirit which inspires the private donor. Directly, it -supplies the impulse which founds the library; the enthusiasm which -supports it liberally; the civic wisdom and pride which erect buildings; -the large and democratic taste which approves adequate facilities, sound -construction, quiet and appropriate beauty in building. - -The aim in the United States is to make the library an essential part of -education, not only in acting with the school system, but in carrying -on the graduate to a larger education at home, not only literary and -social, but industrial as well, so as to develop law-abiding and useful -citizens. There is a further aim, akin to that of parks and playgrounds, -in providing a sober recreation to rival the attractions of saloons and -street corners and dance halls. - -When the public can be convinced that its library works to these ends -and is economically and efficiently managed, the community will support -it generously. When the time comes for building, sufficient funds can -generally be got without trouble. The voters will not forget Washington’s -injunction, “Promote, as objects of primary importance, institutions for -the general diffusion of knowledge,” and they will rank the library first -among such institutions. - -“There is probably no mode of spending public money which gives a -more extraordinary and immediate return in utility and innocent -enjoyment.”—_Stanley Jevons_, quoted by Crunden. - -In library building, realize that the public, which pays, should get -every possible service in its best form, service for educated and -uneducated readers; for workmen and workwomen, as well as for scholars, -for the children of all, and for the teachers of the children. Especial -thought should be given to those citizens who can have no large libraries -of their own. Your library should be made so simple and homelike that it -will invite them as a home or a club they own. - -=Wise Election of Trustees.= The town can begin to provide for wise -building by paying some attention to selecting suitable trustees. The -position is an honorary one in most towns, and is usually given to -clergymen, lawyers, men of literary taste, each of whom is, as it were, -citizen emeritus, retired from active life, and remote from the wants -of the public. The board is apt to become a cosy club, and to get into -a rut. Especially is this so if it is in-breeding; allowed to select -its own members, and to become a clique. If Harvard College cannot -allow its overseers to serve more than two terms successively, towns -should not allow any town board to become perpetual. Especially may this -autocracy work harm in building. Men chosen for literary taste are not -always the most practical. There ought to be on the board of trustees -representatives of every section and every large element in the town. -Among them there should be enough wise, level-headed men to make up a -building committee, just the kind of men who would naturally be selected -as building committee of a bank or church, men of judicial temperament -who can weigh the argument of librarian and architect, and of sober -judgment to curb extravagance in either. It is the part of the public to -elect such men, and to defer to their judgment when selected. Literary -taste is not needed on building committees. The librarian ought to know -how to handle books; his judgment will suffice. Artistic taste is not -needed; a good architect ought to have that in his training. - -=Judgment.= In one final point the public can help good planning; in -their expression of opinion, their criticism or approbation of the -building after completion. - -Even the stranger who flashes through the town in his automobile can -carry away into his own community an intelligent lesson. If the building -has been properly planned, he should say, “That is evidently a library, -a good library; just suited to this town (or institution), and evidently -doing good work here.” - -The citizen of the town should criticize its exterior not so much for -splendor as for appropriateness and good taste. Does it suggest to him, -and invite him to, the study of books or the recreation of reading? Even -then, better suspend judgment until he sees or hears how the new library -works as a library. If he can educate himself to this degree, his lay -comment will have some share in the progress of library science. - - -Place of the Library Among Buildings - -A great deal of doubt prevails in communities as to just how much money -they are justified in putting into a library building. In some towns, -a disposition is shown by local economists, to give it a low relative -position. They will grant liberal appropriations for a florid town hall, -for a large high school, for a commodious grammar or primary school, -for a handsome headquarters for the fire department, even for a granite -police station, but they hesitate at a roomy building for the public -library. This is a narrow way to look at it, for many more residents are -served and largely served by a library of the modern active type, than -by any one school or other institution. It has often been said forcibly, -that the library should rank just ahead of the high school, and have a -better building and better support. - -=Site.= Though the choice of the site falls to the trustees, liberality -in buying it and public spirit in offering sites at a low price, are -incumbent on citizens, as well as discouragement of squabbles arising -from desire to benefit real estate in different localities. A large -charity should be extended to the trustees, under their perplexities, and -a ready confirmation of their choice. - -=Ornament.= There is often an opinion in the community, perhaps even -among the trustees, in favor of more solid construction or more -ornamental features than are necessary or appropriate in a public library -building. This should be stoutly contested by the more sensible citizens, -on the ground that a library is no more the object of unnecessary -expense or elaboration, than a schoolhouse. It is a fairly well settled -idea that schoolhouses should not be extravagant, on the ground both of -economy and good taste. It should not be hard to persuade a community -to the same conviction as to libraries. If, however, the opinion is -obstinate, the suggestion might be made that a sum be appropriated -sufficient to provide an ample but simple library building, and then -offer a vote of an additional sum for architectural elaboration. This -would bring the question squarely before the people. - -The trustees ought to be left to work out their own problem first and ask -for the necessary funds. If their request seems proper, and the trustees -have the confidence of the public, the funds should be promptly voted. If -not, a committee which has the confidence of the public can be appointed -to report, but when they report the trustees should be left to plan the -library. They will have to run it. If they still lack your confidence, -change them at the next election. - - -The Donor - -More striking even than the library movement itself, and than public -liberality toward libraries, are the constant and generous gifts of -private citizens, not only to their native towns, and as memorials to -friends, but even to needy communities alien to the giver. - -“The most wonderful phenomena in American social development.”—_H. B. -Adams._[110] - -Of these donors Andrew Carnegie has been the chief and the exemplar. -His generosity has been wise, helpful, discriminating. He has avoided -pauperizing his beneficiaries and has stipulated that they also help -themselves, sometimes in building, always in supporting. He has carefully -apportioned his gifts to the size and needs of each institution or -community. Most other donors have followed his example, and the library -movement has been judiciously forwarded by these public-spirited friends. -Of the buildings reported in the Massachusetts 1899 Report, 103 were -gifts (10 old buildings, 93 new) from private donors, and 19 more part -public, part private. It is not always possible to praise the libraries -they have built; it is wise sometimes to ignore their motives; but the -wisdom of their intentions deserves high praise and lavish gratitude. -This generosity has not been confined to America. Edwards[111] notes -that out of 180 special libraries he enumerates from all countries, 164 -were gifts. Fletcher[112] listed 60 such gifts in America when he wrote, -without counting Carnegie. The best gifts are those which give a sum for -building and another for books and care. Thus John Jacob Astor[113] left -to the Astor library, $175,000 for a building, $120,000 for books, and -$205,000, the interest to go to maintenance. - -This tide of benefactions may last even through the generation which will -follow Carnegie and his fellows, and will doubtless parallel the progress -of public building for many years to come. - -All donors, however, have not been as wise. Some of them have -overweighted quiet communities with grotesque piles. Some of them have -impoverished poor communities by expensive piles without endowment. - -“There is a small library building in a Connecticut town, designed on a -lavish classical scale. Its centre is formed by a large, round and empty -vestibule fit rather to receive a swimming tank than a delivery desk. A -beautiful dome covers this vestibule, and makes the exterior look like a -mortuary chapel. Such a mistake has cost $300,000, besides the expense of -administration.”—_O. Bluemner._[114] - -But this bizarre feature was not all the architect’s fault, it was mainly -the donor’s. A prominent architect told me that this commission was first -given to him. He studied the needs of the town, and its characteristics, -and following his instructions not to spare cost, he designed as fine a -library as he thought would suit and serve such a place. On taking his -sketch to the donor, he was met with the contemptuous speech. “If that is -the finest library you can get up, I will find an architect who can do -better.” And he did. “Thus,” said my friend, “I learned a lesson not to -cut down my fee by being too conscientious.” - -The worst mistake a donor can make is to give the building of the library -to some protegé, or favorite architect, without engaging a library expert -to advise him. There is one prominent university where all the buildings -are useful and beautiful but one. This a donor gave, but got a young -friend to design it in New York, without seeing the site, or consulting -the professors in charge. The result is a blot and a shame. - -=A Library no Taj Mahal.= If any millionaire sees this whose affection -for a lost friend leads him to build a library as a memorial, let me -earnestly beg him to make his building very modest and practical,—with a -commensurate endowment, if he will. But if he wants to build a beautiful -tomb, as he has a right to do, let him select some other more appropriate -form. A library, of all institutions, is alive and always busy. The work -it can do might be a lasting memorial to a lovely and useful character, -but not if it is smothered and deadened by an architectural snuffer. -I would suggest that a fine gift to a small town would be a group of -buildings, say a town hall, a library and a high school, the three -separate but connected by arcades, a noble but not oppressively grand and -out-of-place trio; each simple and perfect for its use and place. - -The library, properly criticised by Mr. Bluemner, cost $300,000. The town -in which it is situated had at the time its library was given, about -4,000 population. In looking over the list of Carnegie gifts, I note that -a town of 6,000 was allotted $15,000 as his idea of a suitable building -for so small a place. Twenty libraries of this size could be built for -the cost of the Connecticut misfit. - - -The Institution - -Any library owned by an institution and not by the public, ought to have -as good and as thorough advice as it can get from the wisest and most -experienced librarians of similar institutions, which its own librarian -or any expert will know how to elicit. It will be fortunate if it can -secure as its own expert, some such librarian who has recently gone -through the whole experience of building. - -The officers of the institution should define beforehand, just what -scope its library is to cover; just how it is to serve members, special -students and visitors; how much money will be required for suitable -building and thorough equipment; where enough money is to come from; what -site (if site is not already chosen) is most central for probable readers -and will lend itself most readily to the purposes of the association. - -If its library is sufficiently large for a suite of rooms, but not large -enough to demand a separate building, its trustees and architects should -devote to the library, if possible, a separate floor or a separate wing -or special ell, with provisions for differentiation, change, and growth, -and should so locate other departments that are most closely affiliated -with the library, in the closest juxtaposition. - -Indeed, where the library has begun to be important, rooms need expert -advice in location and details almost as much as the building. But -when it has attained the dignity of separate housing, all that is said -elsewhere about expert advice applies with double force to a highly -specialized institution. - - -The Trustees - -To the trustees falls full and final responsibility for all library -building. They formulate the needs of the library, get the funds from -the proper body, choose the site, elect the librarian, and select the -architect. After hearing the librarian and architect, they decide on all -its exterior and interior features. With them should really rest either -praise or blame for the result. Unlike the librarian and architect, they -serve without stipend. They deserve every consideration and full support. - -But not every trustee is an archangel. Boards of trustees may harbor -many faddists, many cranks, many busy-bodies. How to head these off from -meddling with building is a problem in tact. There is often a member who -“knows it all,” and cannot be moved by any expert advice. He is just the -man who wants to take control. He is dangerous. - -“More buildings are spoiled by clients than by architects.”—_E. B. -Green._[115] And this kind of trustee is the client who is most apt to -spoil the library. - -“The trustee will be careful not to consider himself an expert.”—_Dr. -Jas. H. Canfield._[116] But if there is a sane majority who realize the -seriousness and extent of their task, they can at least select their -sanest three to serve as a building committee, delegating to them details -of investigation, reserving to the full board only important points -reported by the committee. - -In small communities the trustees will probably be men of greater -experience in affairs than their librarian, and better able to make -investigations than he. They will also be better able to deal with the -architect, and to judge the soundness of his advice. As the library is -larger, large enough to have a mature and trained librarian, the board -need not take an active part but may be content to serve as a court of -appeal. - -Experience of the past has shown that there are two prevalent dangers: -_first_, the idea that the board has a primary function to make their -building an ornament to the town or institution; _second_, the delusion -of some member that a little dabbling in architecture or building has -made him competent to advise the architect. - -If a library can be made both practical and beautiful within the -appropriation by expert advice, free from amateur experience, it is -enough for the trustees to take pride in, that they have furnished wise -guidance to such a happy result. Interference with technical details -on their part is very unwise. The board should realize that they are -trustees of the library, not an Art Commission, and that the special -trust committed to them, the trust to which they must be true, is the use -of books, not the abuse of architecture. - - -The Building Committee - -Pick out the building committee very carefully, for fitness, not out of -courtesy, or because certain members want to serve on it. - -A judicial disposition, common sense, an open mind, are necessary; for -they have to consult and instruct the architect and the library expert, -to ratify their recommendations and decide where they differ. - -The constitution of this committee is really the crux of building. On -their judgment rests the event of success or failure in planning. Their -chief duty is to weigh the advice of experts. - -“The Building Committee usually has very vague ideas [at first] about -size, location or requirements.”—_Bluemner._[117] - -Once constituted, this committee should relieve the board of minutiæ of -planning. If they are wise, they will throw the burden of all inquiry, -inspection and initial steps on librarian and architect. If these agree, -the committee may take steps to verify their conclusion, but need not -be themselves active. Their function is like that of a “struck jury,” -to report from time to time to the full board for ratification of their -decisions. Perhaps their most difficult function will be to curb the -architect in expense and unnecessary ornament. - -They will have all they ought to try to do, in deciding various questions -which will arise in planning, and in their services as umpires they can -earn the thanks of their fellow-citizens. - - -Free Advice - -If you hesitate to pay money for an expert to give special study to all -your problems of planning, you can get good advice from many sources in -driblets. In the first place, your librarian will naturally contribute -all he knows without extra charge. In England, Duff-Brown suggests -that at the outset candidates for librarianship should be asked, “Do -you possess any practical knowledge of library planning?”[118] This -qualification is not often considered in America; and the ordinary -library education and experience do not develop it. But your librarian -may happen to have served through building problems in some previous -position. If such an expert has thus been fortunately secured in advance, -his advice will be freely given. Even if not, any fairly good librarian -ought to know where to look in books for information, and to gradually -formulate his ideas, to be put into such brief and pointed queries as he -is justified in propounding to other librarians. - -If you have a state library commission, you are allowed to ask counsel -from them. In some states the law provides that they shall give expert -advice on building, when asked for it. In all states such a custom -prevails. If there is no commission in your state, the commission of a -neighboring state would doubtless be glad to advise. - -To good librarians everywhere, even to those who have become paid -experts, you can always look for such gratuitous consideration as -does not make too much demand on their time. Their experience and -judgment will be generously given free. “If there be any profession in -which there is community of ideas,” says Miss Plummer, “it is that of -librarianship.”[119] But always remember that librarians whose advice is -worth asking, are very busy with the work of their own libraries. - -“Information _on specific points_ is freely given by librarians, but -in the midst of pressing official duties it is often a severe tax on -their time. It is also impossible, in the brief space of such a reply, -and without learning the resources at command, to give much useful -information.”—_W. F. Poole._[120] - -Boil down your queries, into pointed questions which can be briefly -answered. Draw them off in a list, with spaces for answers, which can be -filled in and returned without labor of copying, and enclose a stamped -return envelope. So will you not “ride a free horse to death,” and will -preserve your adviser fresh for further usefulness. - - -But be Sure to Get Good Advice - -Either from your own librarian or his friends, or from a library -commission, get thorough advice and special study for every point in -every department as you plan, and before allowing any exterior features -to be settled. Do not put too heavy a burden of responsibility on the -architect. - -“He should not be expected to furnish the idea of the building. Its -planning is a separate problem to be solved. It is the business of the -owner, not of the architect, to decide this.”—_Patton._[121] - -“Do not rely entirely on an architect, however great his artistic and -technical qualifications.”[122]—_Duff-Brown._ - -“Most of the unsuitable buildings are due to unstated problems. Too much -of the lay trustee, _too much of the librarian himself sometimes_, who -thought he knew, but didn’t, have been the causes.”—_B. R. Green._[123] - -Indeed, rather than trust to incompetent library advice or an -inexperienced architect, I would suggest going to the Library Bureau and -giving them charge of building. They would at least know where to go -for competent advice, and would not charge any more profit on what they -expended than experts deserve. So thinks B. R. Green.[124] - -“Many librarians are burdened with repeated calls for information which -more properly ought to be obtained from an independent expert.”—_H. J. -Carr._[125] - -But, remember, in getting such advice from busy librarians, you are -getting only their opinions, founded on experience and impressions, but -not on careful and minute study of conditions involved in your problem, -to which they cannot afford to give due consideration. - -The fable of the lawyer is here germane, who, when reproached by a -friend, “That advice you gave me was worth nothing, absolutely nothing,” -replied, “Well, isn’t that just what you paid me for it?” - -The off-hand answer of a librarian, even an expert, may or may not fit -the case. He is certainly not to be blamed if it does not fit, unless he -has been duly retained, and has taken time for mature study of all the -facts. - - -The Local Librarian as Expert - -“No plan should be drawn up or accepted without the skilled guidance of a -thoroughly trained expert.”—_Duff-Brown._[126] - -Is your own librarian such an expert? It is assumed that you have one, -for some sort of a librarian is a prerequisite of even a rudimentary -library. - -“First appoint your librarian: the rapid growth of library interests -has necessitated expert service in a multitude of essential -details.”—_Professor Todd._[127] - -“Should be a scholar and a person of executive ability, versed in all -departments.”—_Fletcher._[128] - -The local librarian is undoubtedly expert in most processes of -librarianship, but is he or she such an expert—not theorist, but -expert—in building, that other librarians look up to him for expert -advice on that subject? If not, does not your problem deserve the advice -of some librarian in whom others have confidence? Do you not need the -best advice you can get? - -Has your librarian the natural aptitude for planning, which would have -made him a good architect? - -Has he the presence and force which would lend weight to his opinions -against a positive architect? - -“Has he a mind broad enough to argue on equal terms with an experienced -architect?”—_Mauran._[129] - -Should you consider him “a capable man of business,” as Mr. Hallam -suggested thirty-two years ago? - -Is he too young to teach, or too old to learn? - -“A very good librarian may yet have no great fitness for the task of -planning a building.”—_Miss West_ (_now Mrs. Elmendorff_).[130] - -And a junior librarian need not feel hurt if he is not trusted as an -expert. As the best English authority[131] says: “Do not expect too much -from a low-priced librarian.” To this I should add, “Do not expect too -much of any librarian, even a leader in the profession, and do not expect -omniscience of leaders.” - -And it is, of course, superfluous advice not to take your local librarian -at his own valuation. He is most likely to assume the function of an -expert in building when he is least fitted. The really experienced -librarian is apt to be modest and to ask assistance, in the belief that -“two heads are better than one.” It will not be difficult, through a -little quiet inquiry, to find where you can get the best advice, at home -or elsewhere. - - -The Library Adviser - -“No library board should attempt building without taking counsel of -someone who has made the subject a special study, and has had experience -in library management.”—_Poole._[132] - -If you want to get a really good library, which can be worked easily, -economically and effectively for years to come, and if you are not quite -satisfied to leave the entire responsibility to the librarian you happen -to have, or the architect you happen to get, there is a chance for you to -employ, for a far less sum than a competition would cost, such a library -expert as will be able to give you aid just where and when everyone may -need it most; an adviser who can limit expense of construction, augment -capacity, provide for the best and cheapest service, explain your needs -to the architect, avoid friction, and bring to the best issue the -countless puzzling queries which will arise after the plans are settled, -the contracts let, and you plunge into the pitfalls of building and -furnishing. Contract with this adviser for the whole problem, from start -to finish,—you will want him to appeal to, up to the very end, and it is -poor economy to try to scrimp on trifles. - -“Committees who work without a trained adviser are certain to spend many -times more ... in futile and expensive experiments.... No plan should be -drawn up or accepted without the skilled guidance of a thoroughly trained -librarian.”—_Duff-Brown._[133] - -“In this era of the establishment of so many new libraries, and the -gift of so many hundreds of buildings, there is decided need for the -effective service of a consulting librarian. Many serious mistakes are -made, especially in building, for want of a competent professional -adviser.”—_H. J. Carr._[134] - -As two or more counsel are often called in to the trial of a case at -law, the importance of library planning demands strong reinforcements -for the local librarian. An architect, usually a mature man of affairs, -experienced not only in building, but also with men, should be met -with equally experienced library advice, lest the library side be -overborne. Experience will respect experience, but hesitate to yield to -half-knowledge. - -It will be possible to get such aid in any part of the country. I -should say that there are at least fifty able librarians in the United -States who have had such experience in building as would qualify them -as experts. Their names could be learned from any library commission, -or from any good librarian. “Authoritative recognition of experience -and learning stamps a man as trustworthy.”—(_Libr. Asso. Record._) Few, -perhaps, have worked through all the problems of a very large library. -Many have built libraries or branches in the other grades. In the -branches, large librarians have faced the requirements of small libraries -and would be competent advisers for any grade. The experts in any -particular class (except public libraries) are fewer, but could be easily -found. With demand, experts will multiply. No new library need lack a -suitable adviser, if the local librarian will ask for one, and trustees -can see their way to employ him. - -As to the fee, the need is so new, that no professional scale has been -prescribed. But for service from start to finish, as I have recommended, -one per cent on the total cost would not seem too large for the time -demanded, the services rendered, and the ends gained. - -(To compare library advisers’ fees with architects: The American -Institute of Architects have set as a minimum fee, six per cent on the -total cost of the building. For preliminary studies alone, one fifth of -this fee is to be charged. This would be over one per cent. The library -adviser has very little to do with structural planning or construction. -His work corresponds fairly well with “preparing preliminary plans,” -so that one per cent would seem to be a fair fee to offer. If he is -competent he can save ten times this by pointing out better methods and -practical economies.) - -It will be always an open question whether the expert, when chosen, can -spare and be granted time from his duties in his own library. His board, -however, would usually feel moved by courtesy to grant such time as he -needed, beyond his free evenings and holidays. - -Briefer consultations would merit special fees, to be agreed upon. In -view of the expert character of the service they should be as liberal as -can be afforded. - - -Selecting an Architect - -In some states or cities, laws or public conditions may compel -competition, and even where there is no such necessity, solicitation, -especially from relatives and friends, makes a direct choice -embarrassing. But trustees who have the courage, as they have the clear -right, to make a choice, will certainly save money, gain time, be sure -of a good working library and of an appropriate and pleasing exterior, -and stand a better chance of pleasing everyone, by letting librarian, -architect and building committee get to work at the plans as soon as the -site has been chosen. - -So when you have got a good librarian as a champion, the next step is to -get an architect. You need one— - - To advise on site; - To help plan the interior; - To consider material and construction; - To design the exterior; - To draw working plans; - To invite bids; - To prepare and let the contract; - To superintend construction. - -For this you must have on such an important and technical building as -a library, thorough professional education, experience in designing -and building, knowledge of men; and of course, intelligence, tact, -tractability, ingenuity, sagacity, and honesty. - -Consider all these qualities in your choice. If your library is beyond -the small stage, and especially if you have secured an expert library -adviser, you do not so much need an architect who has built libraries. -You do not need him for library advice as much as for the duties -scheduled above. He needs advice about the special requirements of -this problem. Possibly previous ill-advised experience might leave him -stubborn in bad ways. - -“If it be practicable to engage an architect at the outset, it is the -better course,” and remember, “The most competent architect is not likely -to seek employment most aggressively.”—_Bernard R. Green._[135] - -“It is best to select the architect before the site is selected. His -advice will be useful. Commissions or librarians who have built can -suggest one.”—_Miss Marvin._[136] - -But the most important question in regard to an architect is, does he -belong to the school which exaggerates _Venustas_ in all building, or the -better school which accepts _Utilitas_ as the key to library problems? - -I heard President Faunce of Brown at a building committee meeting ask of -the architect whom they were “sizing up,” this question: “Do you believe -in planning the exterior or the interior first?” The answer came, prompt -and decided, “I want the interior fully planned first; in no other way -can I evolve appropriate architecture.” A year later, at another meeting, -President Faunce asked the architect, “How are you satisfied with your -library, now that you see it built?” “Very well,” was the answer. “I -ought to be, because I have never had a problem so thoroughly presented.” - -A similar question ought to be asked every architect before finally -engaging him. If he wants to plan the exterior first, he belongs to the -class of architects who ought to plan tombs, not libraries. Reject him, -however famous or influential or persistent he or his friends may be. - -=Base of choice.= It is wise, in the first place, to disregard pressure. -The best architects will rarely try to use it, or allow it to be used for -them. A dignified letter, with reference to work they have done, will be -all they would allow. Distrust activity in application. - -“Announcement brings letters of solicitation from architects or their -friends, and all sorts of intrigues. In private work, it is usual to -appoint the architect outright.”[137] - -If you have a satisfactory expert as a librarian or adviser, any -architect who has done good work will do, even if he has had no direct -experience with libraries. - -“The number of libraries an architect has built makes little -difference.”—_Marvin._[138] - -Prominence, though, is not necessary. A good authority already quoted, -says: “The best of architects, standing at the head of their profession, -have failed in practical library designing, some of them to a ridiculous -degree.”[139] We all could point out such men. - -Get an energetic, young architect for a small library; the large firm -must turn over details to a subordinate. - -“A local architect, if competent, may be better than one at a -distance.”—_Bostwick._[140] - -If you think it best to try to save on a library adviser and yet do not -fully trust the experience or the persuasiveness of your own librarian, -it will probably be best, especially in small buildings, to find an -architect who has already built satisfactory libraries, and who ought to -know at least how to avoid bad blunders. But here again do not take his -unsupported testimony to his experience. Make private and careful inquiry -of the librarians he has worked with, and those librarians who have had -to operate his buildings. - -“Look around, inquire about different men; make inquiries from those who -have worked with each. Select him before he has been allowed to make a -single stroke of the pen on the plans. You will work with him much better -from the beginning.”—_W. A. Otis._[141] - -Choose the man, with a good reputation on his own profession, who -has shown willingness, reasonableness and ingenuity in getting all -requirements satisfactorily packed inside a dignified exterior. - -“Take a man willing to listen to the librarian’s point of view.”—_W. R. -Eastman._ - -It is not impossible to do this. - -The American Institute of Architects, in their Circular of Advice, says -that “the profession calls for men of the highest integrity, business -capacity and artistic ability. Motives, conduct and ability must command -respect and confidence.” This is the type of man who will represent -architecture in your contest. See that the library champion is in the -same class. - - -A Word to the Architect - -Here seems to be a good place to slip in an aside to any architect who -chances on this book. - -You will see that the keynote of the volume is belief that the library is -more akin to a workshop than to Grant’s Tomb; perhaps akin to a literary -workshop, like a school, would be a more correct definition, and you -know how your profession grapples the schoolhouse problem, I have seen -many new schoolhouses through the country, and have noticed how many of -them are simple but effectively beautiful. All librarians believe that a -perfect library inside, can be made charming outside, through taste such -as has been shown in these schoolhouses. They ask architects to accept -their workshop theory rather than a monumental conception. - -The building committee are your real clients, not the librarian. To -their decision you must bow, even if you have to assume blame for a poor -inside. But if they give you a free hand and a library adviser, defer to -him. If he is not up to his job, if he is callow or antiquated or faddy, -be patient with him. With the tact your profession knows how to exercise, -interpret what advice he tries to give, supplement his failings with your -own study of the subject, and plan the best library possible under these -circumstances. So shall you win a crown of glory among librarians. - -But if they give you a mature and wise adviser, welcome him as a friend -and lend ear to his experienced advice. You will become a better -architect in one branch of your profession, he will broaden much in his, -and together you will advance both library science and architecture. - -If you are altruistic, there can be no better opportunity to serve the -public than by curbing your artistic ambition and devoting all your -training and ability to making this building a better library than has -yet been devised. - -If you thus plan truly from inside outward, I will predict that you -will satisfy the public and yourself far more than if you had thrust -an unwilling library into an inadequate shell, or had prostituted your -genius by forcing a false type of architecture on your helpless clients. - -As you must have gathered from glancing through this book, I am a -firm believer in the practical genius and taste of the best American -architects. I believe that they can create consummate beauty out of the -most unpromising conditions, and I hope you will thus grapple library -problems. - - -Which Should Prevail? - -=The Building Committee= chooses site, appoints adviser, selects -architect, defines scope of the library, is final arbiter of everything, -with appeal to the full board. Every point which remains in dispute after -conference among all the advisers, should be formulated in definite -questions, with clear reasons _pro_ and _con_, and submitted to the -committee. Except in a very small library, where one of the trustees -is virtual director in default of a skilled librarian, the building -committee can serve best by keeping their minds free for such decision, -if called for, on such presentation. The advocates, if unanimous, should -receive unanimous approval; if divided, the committee must decide on the -weight of the arguments presented. - -=The local librarian= will have to run the library after it is built, and -if he has sufficient sense and experience to know what he wants, he ought -to have his choice in any possible alternatives. - -=The library adviser=, as he has the wider range of experience, should -carry great weight with the local librarian, the architect, and the -committee. He can often point out more than one satisfactory way to reach -a desired end. When he and the librarian agree after discussion, as they -generally will, the architect should have very strong convictions before -opposing them. - -=The architect=, on points of construction, is supreme. Neither librarian -or adviser will want to oppose him here, although both may be able to -advise. When the plan is fixed, they must confide to him its clothing -in architectural form, and its execution. During planning it is wise -to consult him at every step, for his training, his experience, his -genius, will improve on many ideas, and will show ways of overcoming many -obstacles. Before he gets through, indeed, he will get to be very much -interested, and become something of an expert himself in library science. - -But the architect and librarian should not disagree. When a point -of difference arises, as it may, talk it over amicably, patiently, -thoroughly. The aim of all should be, to build a good working library. -When all the reasons are presented (here is where the librarian or -library adviser should be a clear and persuasive advocate), the architect -may come to see the matter in the same light. If not, he has got to -present more powerful arguments. Perhaps he can show the librarian -how he can gain his end in a more correct architectural way. If they -still disagree, each side will be ready to present its reasons to the -building committee, with odds in favor of the librarian. Champneys (an -architect)[142] acknowledges that “architects should not be considered -competent arbiters on questions of library administration.” But, if it -is a structural question, or a question of taste, the architect’s advice -ought to be preferred. - - -Architectural Competitions - -As to libraries, the American authorities seem unanimously opposed to -competitions. - -The American Institute of Architects at their 1911 convention, said: -“The Institute is of the opinion that competitions are in the main of no -advantage to the owner. It therefore recommends, except in cases in which -competition is unavoidable, an architect be employed upon the sole basis -of his fitness for the work.[143]” - -“Sketches give no evidence that their author has the matured artistic -ability to fulfill their promise, or that he has the technical knowledge -necessary to control the design of the highly complex structure and -equipment of a modern building, or that he has executive ability for -large affairs or the force to compel the proper execution of contracts. - -“I will add, that an architect’s established reputation and the -excellence of what he has already built, are far better proofs of -his ability to undertake a library, than any guess he can make in a -competition. Competition descends into a guessing match as to what will -please the committee.[144]” - -“The whole matter of employing professional men in this way is absurd. -The architect should be called in at the very commencement of the -work. His opinion is as much needed in the choice of a site, and the -first formation of the owner’s ideas, as in the preparation of working -drawings.”—_Sturgis._[145] - -The practically unanimous opinions of architects and librarians who -have written or spoken on building, are strongly against competition. -In an excellent paper read at the Waukesha Conference by an architect, -Mauran,[146] he said: “Appoint your architect. It is a popular notion -among laymen that a competition will bring out ideas, but I know of only -one building erected from competitive plans, without modification. Aside -from the _needless expense and loss of time_ entailed, a greater evil -lies in the well-proven fact that most architects endeavor to find the -board’s predilections.” (Instead of trying to work out a perfect plan.) - -“Avoid the competitive method.”—_E. N. Lamm._[147] - -“A plan that has nothing in its favor, and everything against it.”[148] - -“Of three methods, open competition, limited competition, and direct -choice by the board, the last is far the simplest, and much less -expensive.”—_Mrs. Elmendorf._[149] - -“Trustees are not likely to get what they want by competition.”—_W. R. -Eastman._[150] - -“After the requirements have been sent out to competitors, there can be -no more consultations between them and the librarian until the award is -made.”[151] (This cuts out the librarian just at the critical part of -planning.) - -“It is not usual or advisable for buildings costing less than -$75,000.”—_Marvin._[152] - -Out of twenty-two libraries included by Miss Marvin only two had -competitions. One library[153] reports: “It was the intention of the -board to choose by competition, but none of many plans submitted was -satisfactory. Committee finally decided on architect and worked with him.” - -“What little good there is in competitions is not to the advantage of -the client, but rather to the advantage of the architect. The young men -have a better chance to win, before their time. An architect directly -selected _grows up with the committee, educates them, and learns from -them_.”—_Edward B. Green._[154] - -“The committee had thought of having an architectural competition, but in -deference to the advice of the librarian and his adviser, they selected -an architect without competition, so that every step in planning, from -the outset, could be discussed from the standard of the architect, as -well as from that of the librarian. To this is to be attributed the -success of the building.”—_John Hay Library Report._[155] - -If any doubt remains, after reading these quotations, I will add that all -my study and experience for over thirty years, in many hundred concrete -cases, have led me to the profound conviction that the surest way to -spoil and stifle a library is to invite an architectural competition. I -have so great confidence in the talent and genius of American architects, -that I believe any one of them, true to the traditions of his profession, -would take the conditions presented by librarians, and out of them, work -up a library much more practical and far more beautiful than could be -ensured by any method of competition. - -If law, or public demand, or fear of assuming responsibility, prevent a -board of trustees from choosing an architect at the outset, they should -first choose an architectural adviser (see next chapter), whom they will -have to pay handsomely, as well as to pay premiums and prizes for the -competition (I see that the University of California laid aside $50,000 -for this purpose); and have him formulate the requirements, superintend -the competition, and assist in judging (“assessing” it is called in -England) the results. - -But I wish that he might be able to shut out from any award those -competitors whose plans would exceed the prescribed cost. I remember in -my callow days having gone to a friend who was a prominent architect, -and proposing to prepare joint plans in a great library competition then -impending. He laughed and said, “Yes, I would like to do it as a matter -of study, but we will not win a prize. Ours will doubtless be a fine -library inside, but there will be no librarian among the judges of award. -We will have a fine exterior, but we shall try to keep within the desired -cost. Some other architect will plan a larger and more florid and more -expensive building, which will fascinate the public eye so much it will -win the prize, and the donor will be asked for more money, which he will -meekly contribute.” My friend was right. Just this result followed. - -In the recent Springfield (Mass.) competition, each architect was -required to submit with his plans an estimate of their cubic contents, as -a basis for calculating how much they would cost. This was an excellent -precaution against just this danger. - -In England a competition is apparently accepted as a necessary evil.[156] -I cannot find anything on the subject in Burgoyne, but the architect -Champneys[157] says that the architect is in most cases selected by open -competition. He adds that this “gives openings to those whose abilities -would otherwise escape recognition,” and rather faintly concedes some -advantage in selection. - -“It is almost impossible to make instructions (in a competition) so -comprehensive that an architect can be taught this very special branch of -his art.”—_Champneys._[158] - -It should be also recognized that competitions are very costly and -delay work on a library several months. What is saved by not having a -competition would pay ten times the expense of getting the very best -library expert. - - -Judges of Competition - -The advising architect, necessary in case of a competition, and often -called in when another architect has been selected for a very large -problem, is generally taken from among the heads of architectural -departments of universities or technical schools, though one authority -suggests that sometimes a prominent architect in actual practice might -be a more up-to-date judge. As has been already said, he formulates and -guides the competition and acts as chairman of the jury to award prizes. -Sometimes more than one architect is asked to serve on this jury, with -unprofessional citizens of artistic taste. - -But very rarely is any prominent librarian, almost never a considerable -number of expert librarians, named for the jury. Here, however, they -ought to have especial influence. They can at least prevent bad blunders. -As a librarian who had recently served on such a jury confided to me, -“All we could do, of course, was to pick out the plans which had the -fewest faults from the library point of view.” The least a board of -trustees could do, it would seem, after handicapping their library by -a competition, would be to let expert librarians have a large share in -picking out the plan. But perhaps they would want utility too much, and -the real object of a competition is only outside show, of which the -librarian is not a better judge than the average man. - -If the trustees wish above all to have a good working library, they ought -to ask to serve on the competition jury, one prominent librarian who has -built, and one prominent librarian of some library of the grade and class -which is to be built, and give especial weight to their opinions. - - -Order of Work - -The building committee having been chosen, the librarian being in charge, -the adviser selected, the architect appointed, the cost provided for, and -the site chosen, it is time for planning to begin. - -The first step should be to inspect the site together, and let the -architect (without letting his mind anticipate details) say what form -of building would best suit site and neighborhood,—tall or low, broad -or narrow, four equal-sided, or front and rear, occupying whole lot, or -leaving skirts for air, light, and quiet. - -If the committee should approve his first impressions, the next thing to -do is for librarians to find the cubic contents that funds will allow -(see chapter on Cost[159]), get from the architect his idea of how -many stories there would better be, with the height of each (including -basement), and possible pitch of roof. Then, getting tentatively the -height of the building, divide the cube by the height, to approximate the -floor area. - -The next important question is, which shall be the main floor? The second -floor is sometimes considered; if the ground falls off rapidly, what is -basement on one front, and ground floor on the other, may be eligible. -(In comparing English with American plans and descriptions, remember that -their first floor is our second.) Almost invariably, the first or ground -floor will assert itself as the main floor, into which, in all buildings -but the largest, it will be desirable to dovetail as many departments of -active service as possible. - -Having already calculated the available area of the floor, you are -prepared to make a list of the rooms you want to get on it, and to define -the size of each. You will already have arrived at some prepossessions -about this, but before you finish planning you will probably have to -modify them considerably. To be thorough, it will be wise to make your -own list of the rooms needed for the kind and extent of work you want -to do, then look over a lot of plans, and perhaps read the printed -architectural requirements issued for libraries of your grade and class, -in order to be sure you have not overlooked any of your own needs. - -As you get to know the size of your delivery-room and main reading-rooms, -it is time to confer again with the architect about his general ideas as -to suitable proportions for building, whether it will have a distinct -front and rear or will require outside effect all around; and as an -element in that case, where you shall put the stack, if you have got to -have one. - -Then comes the most interesting part of planning, the putting together of -your picture puzzle. Mr. Foster of Providence actually cut out of paper -and grouped together his proposed rooms. I have found it better to get -the architect, with paper, pencil and foot-rule, and draw to scale many -successive sketches of each floor, assembling and transferring rooms, -working out the passages, and calculating stairs. As you proceed, the -architect will be evolving his exterior, and now, before he gets his mind -fixed, is the time for mutual concessions. - -When the rooms are fairly co-ordinated, their required furnishing has to -be plotted in, especially the shelving. How many books and readers, how -related, do you want in each room? Are wall-shelves better, or full floor -cases, shallow or deep alcoves, low floor cases, partitions, railings, -what not? Have you provided for full supervision and quick service -everywhere? - -The stack requires separate study. Is it necessary to have one? Where -shall it best be put,—along one side? at the top? at the bottom? or as a -projection from the building? As to details, see chapter on Stack. - -When the rooms have been settled and their requirements defined, the -architect’s special duties begin. He has to settle the necessary height -of rooms, the provision of sufficient light for each by day and by night, -the arranging provisions for heat and ventilation, not to interfere with -books or shelving, or tables or desks. All this before the exterior is -considered,—all spent in planning that interior which the exterior must -conform to. - -“Work on your plan, finish your plan. When that is perfect, the rest will -come.”—_Mauran._[160] - -Then you may take a month or two for the preliminary conferences -between the librarian and his adviser; a month or two for conferences -between them and the architect; a month or less for inspection of other -libraries. At some time during this process two trips may be taken to -other libraries, the first rather early, as soon as your ideas have taken -form enough for you to know what you want to look at; the other toward -the end, when your need of further information is fully defined. Where to -go, whom to take on your tour of inspection, will depend on what funds -you can spare. Details of furniture, location of lights, and so on, may -be deferred, to be taken up during building. A month or less is needed to -submit results to the committee. After their approval has been obtained, -the architect must prepare working drawings and specifications, invite -bids for work, wait two or three weeks for them, and even then you are -ready to break ground on your building in half the time and with half -the expense, for fees, traveling, and all, that a competition would have -required. - -=Extras.= One good result of this thorough study of every detail in -advance should be, that no new wants or serious omissions occur to you -when you come to build. - -But if you do not plan so thoroughly as to cover all contingencies, -expect to find something to be changed or added as you go on, confronting -you with those “extra charges” which often appall builders of dwelling -houses. Still if your oversights follow to plague you, your architect can -here help you with the contractor, and can generally find savings enough -in “perfectly good” alternatives in labor or material to balance the cost -of the extras. If they finally get ahead of you, and materially increase -the cost, either architect or librarian is at fault—someone did not plan -well ahead. - -=Model.= The last step of planning may well be the preparation by the -architect of a sketch-model in clay for the building committee. This -shows the proportions and visualizes all features far more clearly then -floor plans, elevations and sections on paper can do. If the sketch-model -can show both elevation and sections, it will bring to the librarian his -allocation of rooms in final review, and bring out to all concerned, -librarian, architect, committee and public, just how the building will -“work” and how it will look. - - - - -D. - -FEATURES - -_This Book contains considerations which affect the whole building. Note -especially Light, Heat, Ventilation._ - - - - -D. - -FEATURES - - -Site - -If the site is given by a donor, or chosen by some other authority, and -has been accepted by the board, the only thing to do is to make the best -of it. Adapt your plan to it, improve whatever opportunities it may -offer, and overcome its defects as best you can. - -If it is open to choice, there are often embarrassing conditions. Owners -of lots more or less eligible (usually less) are anxious to unload at -good prices, and besiege the board with importunities; or owners of real -estate not immediately eligible, exert all their direct and indirect -influence to get the library building in their district or on their -“side.” Even after the choice has been narrowed down to two or three -acceptable lots, and has been freed from “pull,” selection is difficult -because of different _pros_ and _cons_. - -The main consideration for central library or branch is accessibility for -the largest number of users. Retail centers, not so much geographical as -practical, well served by car lines, point out the proper neighborhood, -but main streets are often too noisy, and good lots on them are too -expensive and not easy to get. If there is a quiet street next back of, -or close to a main street, especially with an adjoining public square or -small park, it will furnish an ideal spot for a library. Good vistas of -approach afford opportunities for effect, and bring the library into view -and notice. - -Space all around the building, and adjoining streets on as many sides as -possible, give light, isolation from dangers of fire, more quiet, less -dust, than positions directly on a main street. - -A wholesale business section, whose occupants only come during business -hours of the day, is not a good location. Edges of vast open spaces are -not so good as actual centres of residence or of small retail trade to -which residents are attracted. - -If a site among high buildings must be chosen it would seem wise to build -the library high, with reading rooms up toward air and light. - -By all means try to foresee and provide for future developments as -they may affect immediate surroundings and future accessibility. The -neighborhood of schools is always good. Bear in mind that certain noisy -or smoky occupations are bad neighbors, and slums only suitable for -charitable work. - -A lot too high above the street grade may offer architectural advantages, -but is bad for public library purposes. Popular departments ought to be -directly at street grade, and the necessity of climbing steps hinders -rather than attracts readers. A lot sloping upward requires objectionable -and expensive approaches, one sloping sideways is unbalanced, but one -sloping backwards is often good, for it allows a light basement at the -rear, or a stack above and below the main floor at street grade. - -It goes without saying that a wet soil is to be avoided where books are -to be stored. - -In a large city a favorite site for the central library is on some -municipal square, near other public buildings. But in such a prominent -place, especial care is necessary to escape a heavy architectural style -which would darken the building, and divert cost from library facilities -to expensive material. - -In smaller cities and towns, better sites in proportion may be obtained. -Here, where land is cheap enough to allow more space, always provide for -growth and future extensions of the building. It has been advised to get -enough land for future development, even at expense of the first building. - -“The worst site is a deep one, of irregular shape, with only -one frontage. If offered, don’t buy, or even accept it as a -gift.”—_Burgoyne._[161] - -But a deep and irregular lot, with a possibility of light on all -sides, may not be unfavorable for a building with a stack at the rear. -Narrowness in a stack, if somewhat unfavorable to short lines of -communication with the desk, give possibilities of excellent daylight -everywhere. - - -Provisions for Growth and Change - -It cannot be too strongly urged that a chief caution in planning should -be to anticipate and provide for that rapid growth which may strike any -American community, large or small, urban or rural; and that development -or change of methods which will come even if there is no growth of -population. When or how or just where it will come, it is always -difficult to foresee. The tide, indeed, seems world-wide. Champneys -warns, “Forecast, if possible, and plan in advance. If not, it will be -hard to preserve in future a workable home.”[162] Van Name said at St. -Louis in 1889, “The present rate of library growth requires far larger -provision for the future, in space and in economizing space.” - -“Every library in America _must_ continue to grow.”—_Eastman._ - -“One cannot observe the rapid growth of libraries during the last half -century without being led to ask in wonder what is to be the result in -the future. There is a law affecting the growth of libraries not unlike -that of geometric progression. By the principle of _noblesse oblige_, a -library which has attained a certain size is called upon to grow much -faster than when it was small. It is difficult to foretell. For years -to come libraries will grow rapidly. Ingenuity will bring into use new -methods and new apparatus.”—_Fletcher._[163] - -“Libraries designed to serve the needs of decades to come prove too small -before they are fairly occupied.”—_Dana._[164] - -“The model building of today will be quite out of date -tomorrow.”—_Marvin._[165] - -Perhaps rate of growth cannot be calculated, but it can be shrewdly -guessed. It is hard to be too sanguine. Growth in American libraries has -oftener been underestimated than the reverse. In an established library -you can multiply recent annual growth by twenty-five, for the probable -life of the building, and subtract possible withdrawals. But moving -into a new building, and growth of the population served, will tend to -make needs for space increase in geometrical ratio rather than merely -arithmetical, and there are always gifts to be anticipated. So let the -sanguine members of your board reckon growth. - -=Exterior.= Provision can be made by buying a lot larger than you will -need at first. A plan can be drawn with future wings suggested, or more -stories, or an ell. This will require stronger walls, and study of -features which could be matched in making changes. - -In large libraries, use of sub-cellars, especially for stacks, can be -looked to, and sunken stacks, or at least subterranean caves for fuel, -can be arranged under that part of the lot outside the building, or even -in some cases under the street or an adjoining park. If the experiments -now making in various places are successful, this growth downward may be -almost as available as growth upward. But see “Stacks Underground,” and -“Stack Towers,” in later chapters. - -=Interior.= There are several ways for providing for changes inside. If -you have enough money, build largely, and space out. Provide more space -for books and readers than you can use at once. Make your floor-cases -movable, and set them wide apart, to be closed up later as required. -Set tables and chairs generously apart, and crowd them together when -otherwise you would have to turn away readers. Provide attic and cellar -so built and prepared for subsequent finish that they can be used to some -purpose when more rooms are wanted. - -That reminds me to say that a wise provision is to have as few rigid -partitions anywhere, as possible. If you must have any, make them so -light, even if sound-proof, that they can all be swept away when it -becomes desirable to change. - -“Plan a library so that it may be susceptible of inner development,” says -Dr. Garnett.[166] - -It is always well to plan your shelving so generously as to leave room -everywhere for many years’ growth, and so avoid necessity for early -rearrangement. - -In small libraries, if the book-rooms are built high enough, provision -can be made for a second tier of wooden or metal shelves above that first -installed. Better always leave them thus high in the projection, side, or -corner devoted to floor bookcases. - -With very large libraries interior provisions, except in leaving floors -or rooms unoccupied at first, and avoiding rigid partitions, will be -difficult. - -=Limitations.= In some libraries it is possible to set a limit for -desirable growth. For instance, the faculty of the Episcopal Theological -School in Cambridge, Mass., could say that they never should want more -than seventy-five scholars or 50,000 volumes.[167] In branch libraries -it is usual to decide in advance how many books are needed, and to keep -this number the same, by withdrawing as many volumes as are added from -time to time. Suburban libraries can reduce the normal limit of growth -by arranging with their neighboring urban libraries for a co-operative -and interloan system, or may unite with them in some such system of -segregating useless books in a common catacomb as has been suggested by -President Eliot. (See _Fletcher_.[168]) - -=File Your Plans.= Too often, plans for growth carefully made in -planning, have not been preserved. When need comes for them, perhaps -often when librarian and trustees have been changed, these provisions are -not remembered, or if faintly remembered have been laid away where they -cannot be found. The wise way is to file your plans away in the library -after using them, and include in the portfolio your provisions for -change, both card catalogued so fully that they cannot be missed. Even -if conditions have changed before alterations are demanded, the original -forecast will be found suggestive in making new plans. - - -Approaches: Entrances - -Where the lot is large enough, there will be room for simple landscape -gardening which can add greatly to the attractions and architectural -effect of the building, without adding largely to the cost. This is, -however, in the architect’s province. As is elsewhere suggested, the park -board or institution may assume or share the cost of such embellishment. - -=Outside Steps.= In small buildings, the nearer the main floor gets to -the street level the better. If the site is so high that there must -be more steps to surmount the basement, a few of these set inside the -portico or vestibule will prevent the building from being all stairs in -front. In larger buildings, flights of steps, however sightly they are, -are a hindrance to entrance or exit, just so many steps to be surmounted -in every visit to the library; as bad as an unnecessarily large -vestibule, or long corridor—effort and cost wasted. From a library point -of view they are all wrong. - -=Porticoes.= These are unnecessary for library use, and where economy is -an object, are objectionable. They spoil front light in the centre of the -building, where it is most needed. They give a heavy tone to the library, -and a suggestion of outgrown methods. If they must be, _utilitas_ -requires that some use should be found for them, and for the kind of -vestibule they require. In very large buildings, where architectural -effect is wanted, they offer an opportunity to concentrate it there, and -leave the rest of the outside walls to be treated for inside light and -convenience. Behind the columns, unheeding their shadow, are places for a -vestibule and rooms above which do not require much daylight. - -=Vestibule.= In libraries of average size only a small vestibule is -needed, and a lofty vestibule is a waste of overhead space. All that it -is needed for is to check drafts and exclude dust, and to give chance -for the stir of removing wraps. A vestibule is often the best place -for stairs up or down. It should be under supervision from the desk, -through glass. In a large library, behind a portico, it can be used as -a reception, exhibition, conversation, and waiting-room, being in a -position which need not separate departments, or usurp space more needed -for other rooms. - -“Compact central vestibules, from which all departments -open in plain sight from the entrance, are better than long -corridors.”—_Champneys._[169] - -=Front Door.= This is generally the main, often the only public entrance -and exit, and should be always under supervision; in small libraries, -from the desk; in large libraries, from special attendants, who may also -serve as information clerks, umbrella checkers, and special policemen. - -=A Revolving Door=, though expensive, serves some of the purposes of a -vestibule, or a storm door. - -=Other Outside Doors.= A separate staff entrance is often advisable, a -janitor’s door (usually to the basement) is necessary; separate doors -for the newspaper room, the children’s room, and some groups of allied -departments are needed in large libraries. In libraries of moderate size, -where there are no such doors, the municipal fire regulations may require -special emergency exits. - -=Swing all Doors Well and Wide.= Outside doors, and doors from rooms for -many occupants, should naturally swing out, for escape in case of fire or -panic. The swinging of every door is a matter for special study, for not -only passage, but wall space and convenience depend on it. And have every -door wide enough for the maximum audience to come and go through. As I -was shot into a crowded room in the New York Public Library recently by -pressure from a throng so insistent that it checked those who wanted to -get out, a librarian whispered in my ear, “Every doorway should be wide -enough to avoid such a mob as this.” - -=No Doors Between Rooms.= In fact, next to having a floor without -partitions, it is sometimes well to have only wide openings through -partitions, without doors. Doors are only necessary when drafts are to be -checked, noise is to be excluded, or passage to be discouraged. - -=Height of Doors.= Unnecessarily high doors are a waste; doors low enough -to make a tall man dodge are a nuisance; 6 feet 6 inches is about right. - -=Storm Doors.= The librarian of a very large library reminds me of -the necessity of storm doors for winter in our climate, and says that -architects seem unwilling to plan them. Certainly every architect of -every library, large or small, should include such a structure in his -plans, to harmonize in shape and color with the effect of the building. -In small libraries, it will be the only portico, or vestibule. In large -buildings, under a portico, it bars snow and weather and tempests -from direct invasion of the vestibule. Good taste can make such an -inexpensive structure sightly, but unless the architect foresees the need -and supplies the taste, some carpenter hastily summoned when the need -arrives, may spoil a fine entrance with an ugly excrescence. - - -Halls and Passages - -Too much space wasted in these and in entrances, is a bad fault -frequently found in libraries, but easily avoided in making plans. - -“Should be sufficient, but not wasteful. Redundant corridors show bad -planning.”—_Champneys._[170] - -The English Building Act prescribes a width of 3 feet 6 inches to 4 feet -6 inches, for from 200 to 400 persons likely to pass. Duff-Brown[171] -thinks they should not be less than four feet wide for “public traffic.” -And Champneys doubts they need exceed nine feet in width. - -Are these passages absolutely necessary for library purposes, in length, -width, and height, is the test to put. Can they not be omitted entirely? - -In small libraries, it is a merit to have all rooms open out of the -noisy space which must be left in front of the delivery desk. In larger -libraries, passage through reading-rooms is never allowable, and separate -entries are necessary. In very large libraries such passages can hardly -be avoided. In wings or ells, to utilize light for rooms on both sides it -may be necessary to have long corridors lighted on top floors above, on -other floors from transoms. - -The height of passages needs to be watched as keenly as their other -dimensions, for more than 6 feet 6 inches or 7 feet is a waste of space -which might in some way be utilized in rooms or on other floors. Nine or -ten feet, however, may be required for light, ventilation, or height of -stories. - - -Stairs - -Ornamental flights of stairs are usually wasteful and disjunctive, -especially in the centre of the building. “They are never used by anyone; -all go up in elevators.”—_Dewey._[172] - -See an excellent article by W. K. Stetson[173] criticising the Newark -Public Library. - -A good rule is to have just so many flights of stairs as may be required -by the probable use of rooms on each story, and to have them no wider or -more massive than passage demands. Stack stairways may be only two feet -wide; other service stairways not over three feet, which allows passing -of single users. Indeed, flights six feet or wider should have a central -rail, to keep climbers apart from descenders. When floors are much used, -two separate narrower flights, for which room can generally be found -symmetrically, will be better than one broader flight. - -No stairs should be slippery or have projecting obstacles to trip -climbers, or be too steep or high-set for old persons. - -=Treads.= Easy treads are essential to serve all comers well. 5½-inch -rise and 13-inch tread, will be generous; 6½ × 11, tolerable. Brooklyn -directions specified 4-inch risers. - -If any material is used which is, or will wear, slippery, be sure to -have some rubber or other stair-pad, well secured, so that even the most -unsteady climber cannot trip or slip. - -=Material.= Stone wears down unevenly, and all kinds of stone split and -fall in case of fire. Marble is slippery. Iron wears slippery. Wood -splinters. Concrete or stone, the treads covered with hardwood or rubber, -is probably best, all things considered. But in small libraries, hardwood -serves. - -=Handrails.= Dr. Billings sends warning that large, ornamental stairs, -outside or inside, should have some form of practical handrails, and -after trying to climb in winter the outside steps of the New York Public -Library, and Columbia University, I heartily concur with him. - -Indeed, bearing in mind the feeble men and women who have a right to -use a library, I plead for a “practical” handrail for all stairs. Many -flights have no rail at all; the more ornamental they assume to be, -the more dangerous they are. Many flights have only marble “rails,” -too massive for hand use. All “architectural” staircases are in fact -deterrents of use. - -=Landings.= More than a dozen steps are tiresome to most people, and in -long flights landings ought to be provided. If a seat can be provided on -each, it will be welcome to old persons. A window seat, in the windows -used to light flights of stairs, can be made a decorative and also useful -feature. - -=Circular Stairs.= About the most inconvenient, useless, dangerous, and -unnecessary feature which has come down to us from antiquity is the -corkscrew stair, which still persists—I saw one in a plan only yesterday. -It is inconvenient because only half of each tread is available. I -measured one recently in a library: the wide outside of each tread was -twelve inches deep, and it narrowed down to two inches at the central -post. The nine-inch width (about the least allowable for a stair tread) -was fifteen inches from the post, and only eight from the outside. The -usable part of the tread was eight inches wide, the wasted segment was -two-thirds of the width, and served only as a trap to stumblers. - -This dangerous and inconvenient futility was unnecessary, because a -straight stair, with short flights doubling on narrow landings, could -be planned to occupy no more floor area, with much greater practicable -width, and be infinitely more convenient and less dizzy. - -Try to carry an armful of books up or down such a flight, and remember -the lesson. A ladder would occupy less space, and be just about as useful -as a winding-stair. Why such a traditional inconvenience persists in -modern libraries is an enigma. - - -Stories and Rooms Generally - -=Height= of stories is a main factor in planning. The fewer and lower -they can be, bearing in mind full light and ventilation, the less cost -will go into unnecessary bulk in building. - -Tell the architect what rooms and floors you want, with definite area -and height for him to try to suit together. Never let him dictate what -dimensions you must pack the rooms into. - -In small libraries and in most branches, one story with practicable -basement, is the standard. The height of this story is suggested by -Miss Marvin as 12 feet, or better, 13 feet; or 16 feet if a second tier -of floor cases must be provided.[174] She very sanely says that higher -rooms are not necessary from any point of view, and this remark might be -extended to most rooms in most libraries. - -Where there is a stack, the desire to have as many floors of the building -as possible, coterminous with stack floors, determines the height of -stories at 14 or 15 feet, as the 7 or 7½-foot stack is chosen, and this -will make rooms whose heights, plus thickness of floors (unless some use -can be found for mezzanine rooms), are exact multiples of stack heights. - -In a larger library (but still small), a second story over part or the -whole of the main floor, can be lighted from above and be used for many -purposes. - -=Basement.= The height of a basement will depend on the uses contemplated -for it. An auditorium requires more height than small rooms for storage, -vault, or janitor service. Miss Marvin advises a height of 10 feet, so -that it can be used in any way wanted in future.[175] - -“_A failure to use it is a defect._” - -It must be absolutely dry, and fairly warm. - -“A well-lighted basement gives more dignity of elevation to a small -building.”—_Bluemner._[176] - -On a sloping site, a basement becomes ground floor, and a cellar becomes -basement, for part of the building, with dark cellars and sub-cellars for -the other part, which will come handy for heating plant, fuel, storage, -and other functions. As the stack can run up and down from the main -floor, such a site can be made useful in many ways. - -=Upper stories= become more and more difficult to use unless there are -elevators, which are costly to install and costly to run. In old houses, -coming as a gift, the upper stories can be used for storage, study rooms, -class rooms, trustees, and other departments infrequently needed. - -=The top floor=, where there are elevators, may be one of the most -useful stories, the most useful next to the ground floor, because the -possibility of good top light allows every square foot to be used. If -there are only three stories, the top may be used for many purposes -without elevators, if the stairs are easy and ample. The principal uses -are, for serious reading rooms, exhibitions, small study or class rooms, -historical rooms, special libraries or departments. - -=Use of Various Stories.= The assignment of rooms will be governed by the -exigencies and policy of the library. A careful study of the use to be -best made of the floors will be of vital importance toward economical and -effective administration. In case of doubt as to the size or location of -rooms, inspection of existing libraries of similar grade and class, and -study of plans, will be helpful to stimulate ideas. - -“It is a mistake to have the library on the second floor, at least the -reading room and circulating department, which should have easy access -and publicity.”—_Fletcher._[177] - -=Correlation of Parts.= Guides to arrangement will be consideration of -processes, relation of users, and convenience in all steps of use or -service. A recent English writer suggests arranging, in sequence from the -entrance, newspaper reading, magazine and light reading, delivery, and -quiet reference or reading rooms. - -One great desideratum is continuous flooring on each story, even into the -stacks, so that trucks can be rolled without jolt, and readers can pass -without the discomfort of two or three steps up or down, here and there, -as in many existing libraries. This irregularity of floor level is one of -the worst faults possible. - -=Mezzanine Floors.= Supposed architectural exigencies so often demand -stories of greater height than library uses require, that it is well to -have in mind what mezzanine floors can be interposed here and there, -and what rooms can be assigned to them. Many staff rooms (for instance, -stenographers’ and others not crowded), and many readers (_e.g._, private -students, small clubs, teachers, classes, debating teams) do not require -large or lofty rooms, and would be much better if they had only half the -height of the large rooms. Only light and ventilation may require much -height of walls, and even these only when many persons must use the same -room. - -=Not Thoroughfares.= By no means make any reading room a passageway to -any other room, or allow stairs to run up into it or up from it. Some -of the worst faults to be found in existing libraries lie just here. -Whatever increases movement in such rooms and disturbs students is a -library crime. - -=Attics and Cellars.= In old houses, the occupation of these unfinished -spaces requires ingenious planning. But attics furnish dry storage, -cellars dark storage, which can be utilized without expensive alterations. - -In new buildings a cellar is essential, as a foundation at least, but -may be glorified into a practicable basement without much cost; or may -be minimized to an air space in small buildings; or shared by air space -at one end and heating at the other. An attic is not so necessary, -except a shallow air space. But even shallow attics can be utilized for -storage-room by a trap door, and it is marvellous how much need of such -room will be developed after occupancy. - -If you have them at all, plan attics and cellars for some future use, -even if they are left unfinished for the present. I remember an early -experience of inspecting a library building with a view to alteration, -and finding the attic so weakly trussed, and the cellar so solidly -partitioned, that neither could be altered for improvement. Two-thirds of -the building were thus wasted, which could have been used if it had been -wisely planned. - -“A building should stand high enough on its foundations to give the -basement both light and dryness throughout.”—_Winsor._[178] - - -Walls, Ceilings, Partitions - -The exterior walls come mainly into the province of the architect, -subject to chastening by librarian and building committee as to material, -decoration, massiveness, and cost. “The ideal building has no breaks -or jogs and few corners.” The interior walls and ceiling have been -considered under the subjects of Height of Stories and of Coloring. Under -the latter head they materially influence illumination also. In the -decorative scheme they should harmonize with the woodwork and furniture. - -The walls and ceilings not only play a star part in the cheerfulness and -beauty of the building, but they materially affect the eyes and health of -the reader. On their coloring and the character of the reflection they -cast, largely depend the effectiveness of all diffused light, and the -best part of reading light. They form a subject of especially important -study. - -Panelled ceilings which are often planned for decorative purposes, -especially in large and lofty rooms, interfere injuriously with -reflection of light, by intercepting it with numerous shadows. - -All authorities agree that there be as few partitions as possible -in small libraries, where departments can be indicated, or readers -separated, by railings, cords, low bookcases, or screens of glass or -light material, which do not interfere with general supervision. - -Many rooms can be arranged with sliding or folding partitions, to be used -for larger or smaller audiences, as required. - -In large libraries, necessary partitions can be of such light -construction that they can be changed or removed at will. Some partitions -are essential; for instance, those of reading rooms to exclude noise, and -of music rooms to shut it in. - -All partitions should match the other coloring and style of rooms and -furniture, to produce a quiet and pleasing effect of harmony. - -“Buildings costing less than $10,000 cannot afford space for -partitions.”—_Eastman._[179] - - -Floors and Floor Coverings - -Floors should be substantial, durable, cleanly, dry, warm, noiseless, -slow-burning, and not slippery. - -Any uncovered floor will be noisy. - -Stone, tile, mosaic, and concrete are noisy. Glass and marble are -slippery. - -Hardwood, or softwood covered with linoleum or corticene, will answer in -most rooms and passages. - -Variations of cork, or cork on a solid foundation, are now common, -and have been found satisfactory. Invention is at work on this style -of floor, and may evolve something near perfection, if fairly cheap. -Linoleum wears badly, except in the best grades, and seems to be going -out of favor. - -The new Springfield (Mass.) library has sawdust concrete as a one-inch -base for a cork carpet. The St. Louis building just dedicated has wooden -strips over concrete to which a thick cork top is nailed. - -Carpets and matting, general or in strips, are very objectionable in -catching dust or mud, and difficult to clean off. - -Rubber mats or rubber tiling has been favored for floor-covering and for -stairs. - -_The Librarian_[180] reports from England, as follows:— - -“Stone, mosaics, and the like, are seldom used except in lobbies. - -“Plain boards do not wear well. - -“Wood blocks (oak or maple), rift-sawn and dressed (not washed), resist -wear, though noisy. - -“Good linoleum, cemented on boards, blocks, or concrete, resists wear. - -“Rubber flooring seems superb, but has not been tested here.” - -[Nothing is said about corticene or cork, so much used in America.] - -Several “floor dressings” are advertised, said to be of two general -classes—dust-fixers, or beeswax polish. - -Champneys[181] warns that angles of floor and ceiling with walls, and -all interior corners of walls, should be rounded or “coved,” for easy -cleansing. - -Miss Marvin[182] thinks that for a small library, plain cork carpet, of -the best and thickest quality, without pattern, is best, being durable, -noiseless and easily cleaned. - -Bostwick,[183] discussing various forms, and criticising each, says that -a sheathing of soft wood, covered with linoleum, leaves little to be -desired, though it sometimes rots, and that in various patent floorings -no trustworthy standard has been found. - -My own advice would be to watch developments, and take the matter up anew -with your architect, in view of his experience and inquiries, added to -yours. - - -Roofs, Domes - -Roofs also the architect ought to know all about, but don’t let him have -them project so as to darken the valuable top light of any windows. This -is a fault common in the bungalow type of small libraries. Whether they -are flat or have more or less slope is matter of cost and effect. But if -there is to be slope, except when there is to be a timbered roof in some -room underneath, have it ceiled and used as an attic, even if low. You -will not usually want an attic, but if the architect wishes the space, -ask him to make it available for any future needs. - -Of course, a tight roof is even more desirable in a library than in -most other buildings. Leaks are as bad as fire for books, and are -uncomfortable for staff and readers. But that is a matter for the -building expert. So with fireproofing, for the roof is the exposed part -and hardest to protect from sparks from neighboring conflagrations. In -wooden buildings especially, have some fireproof or very slow-burning -material for your roof: asbestos shingles, flat or corrugated tiles; or -better, some kind of the slates of various tints which will match your -walls; any of these will hold and extinguish sparks. - -A roof so built and lined with air compartments that it will be warm in -winter and cool in summer is a crowning merit. - -=Domes.= Many architects are fond of the effect of a dome, but its top -and bulb are of no use in a library, and the obsession of space below -balks compact plans in the centre of the building. Domes cover many an -impressive, and more or less drafty, reading room, but they waste bulk -which costs, and dislocate departments. - -If you see any views of libraries where domes are conspicuous you may -set them down as failures, however beautiful;—bad types to imitate; -their architects to be avoided. The only possible place suitable for a -dome, is in a very large library, to cover a central reading room, and -even there the space it must occupy ought to be very carefully studied -at the outset, to calculate whether so much open height is the best way -to utilize the cubic contents. It ought never be planned primarily as an -architectural feature, and thus imposed on library methods, unless they -are promoted by it, rather than hindered. - - -Alcoves, Galleries - -From England, where alcoves in old libraries are so fascinating to -travelers, I find this passage in _The Library Association Record_:[184] -“The alcove system should probably not be mentioned in an essay on modern -methods of book storage.” - -Oldest of library methods, the alcove even now lingers where it ought -not. As I have said,[185] it is an agreeable feature where solitude and -ease are allowable, but it is as much out of place in a public library as -lounges would be, wasting space, blocking supervision, delaying service, -deluding scholars with the illusion of isolation, and making their nooks -the convenient harbors for whisperers. If you must have them, have them -plain, and do not let them creep into your reading room in the guise of -architectural piers and cornices. - -“Alcoves oblige us to go twice as far as there is any need of. A large -part of the books might as well have been stored in a compact stack.”—_C. -A. Cutter._[186] - -“Privacy is marred when several readers occupy the same -table.”—_Fletcher._[187] - -“The alcove plan, obsolete and incompatible with further -progress.”—_Bluemner._[188] - -“Wasteful of space, impossible of supervision.”—_Champneys._[189] - -“The greater distance attendants must go, materially affects the service. - -“There is much discomfort to readers who go into an alcove to be out of -the way, and who are distracted by the passing to and fro. - -“Supervision from the counter is impossible.”—_Burgoyne._[190] - -And the new-old monstrosity of the early American type elsewhere -described[191]—may it never be revived,—the unholy marriage of alcoves -and galleries. - -Alcoves might be used not only in private or club libraries, but in -such rooms as Mr. Foster’s “Standard Library,” or the “Library of the -Masters,” Mt. Holyoke College, which may be regarded as cosy club-rooms, -in which easy chairs and footrests are not considered out of place. - -=Galleries= survive in the old world, and in old libraries with us, but -they have no friends in new libraries. They are better than high wall -shelving served by ladders. If less than 2 feet 4 inches wide, and if -approached by spiral stairs, they are nuisances to be abolished. - - -Light - -This is the most important topic in library planning. Other problems -considered elsewhere, the storage, handling and service of books, affect -economy and efficiency of administration, the future annual cost of good -service, more than lighting; but this touches the comfort and health of -both readers and staff. Whether the eyes of the public are weakened, and -the service they ought to expect from attendants is impaired, depends -largely on lighting. - -On the shape, size and position of the windows, therefore; on the -selection, arrangement and installation of the system of artificial -lighting, depends the solution of the question how can readers work? how -can their servants the staff work for them? how can both retain their -eyesight and health, best and longest? - -This subject calls for serious planning by architect and librarian, most -serious consideration by the building committee. - -Here is one of the points where the best is none too good, and where -expense should be considered last. Economy in first cost, economy in -running expenses, must be always borne in mind, but here surely is -another point where purely architectural features,—domes, columns, -approaches, marbles, ornament of all kinds,—should be sacrificed, rather -than convenience, comfort or health. - -I treat this matter at length under the subsequent heads of Light -Natural, Windows, and Light Artificial. - -=Health of readers and books.= I have hunted in vain for some exhaustive -discussion of the influence of electricity on health. I have found -observations on the effect of sunlight on the color of bindings; for -instance, Prof. Proctor’s Report of a Committee on Protecting Leather -from Light, in The Library Association Record,[192] where he says, “When -building a library a good transparent coloured glass may be employed -which will not only give an almost equal light when compared with white -glass, but will at the same time protect books from the evils of direct -light.” - -I have also found many cautions against heat on the head of readers from -unshaded gas or electric lights too near, but nothing on the general -subject of electricity as affecting either men or books. Experiments in -this direction are yet to be made. - -See an article in Library Notes[193] on “The Eyes of the Public.” - - -Light, Natural - -There has been so much difficulty in getting good light into all parts of -a library, and so much joy over the substitution of electricity for gas, -that there is some danger of daylight being ignored. Dewey[194] pictured -“a solid core of books with modern lighting,” and B. R. Green[195] -argued elaborately in favor of disregarding natural light altogether -under certain conditions. It is quite time someone championed God’s free -gift to man. For daylight, notwithstanding its occasional glare and its -temporary defects, is still the cheapest, the readiest, the cheeriest, -and the healthiest light for men and for books. - -Indeed, the modern advocates for substitutes seem so far to have spared -readers, and only included stacks in their enthusiasm. But I have not yet -entirely surrendered hope of stacks, and I have many sympathizers. The -late James L. Whitney was an excellent and experienced librarian. Not -long before his death, he and I were stumbling through the dark corners -of the stack in the library of which he was so long a faithful servant. -As we fell together, he turned and said impressively, “If you ever plan a -library, insist on having ample natural light wherever you can get it.” - -I quote Champneys[196] in support: “While the direct rays of the sun -are often sufficiently powerful to become an inconvenience to readers -and a source of injury to [the bindings of] books, yet such are _their -purifying properties_, that their total exclusion is not recommended.” - -The old monk-architects knew their business. In the earliest specimens of -monastic libraries, note a full-width window opposite each alcove. In the -library of the Sorbonne, Paris, in 1638, there was “plenty of daylight on -the desks from east and west, to fill the whole length of the room.”[197] - -Light should never be so admitted as to dazzle the eyes of readers, or -blind them while searching on the shelves for books, or reading at their -desks. The ideal direction to strike them is from behind, and from the -left, with no shadows falling on book or paper. - -Prismatic glass is recommended, to aid in throwing light into dark -places, like courtyards or cellars. Translucent glass (as used in the -Library of Congress) “sufficiently softens the rays of the sun in the -southerly windows.” - -“There should be abundance of daylight with least direct -sun.”—_Fletcher._[198] - -“Good, natural light is the first essential.”—_Marvin._[199] - -=Aspect.= In planning, the aspect of each room is very important. North, -as in studios, is the best aspect when direct light is always needed, -though it will be cold if without double windows in winter. East only has -direct light when it is apt to be most grateful, in the early morning -hours. South is apt to be hot and glary, though the sun is too high at -noon to strike far into the rooms; but west lets in slant or level rays -of hot and blinding light which needs screening. Which front to give a -room is matter varying with climates and localities, and needs special -study always. - -=Modifying Glare; Curtains.= To certain aspects, south and especially -west, direct sunlight brings unpleasant glare, and in summer intense -heat, so that it is really necessary to use shades or screens. -Bostwick[200] recommends that shades for large windows be double, either -up or sideways. In the Library of Congress all the shades in each stack -can be drawn or withdrawn simultaneously. This is often the arrangement -for high windows in large reading-rooms. - -It may be pointed out that good taste in choosing colors for shades will -do much toward allowable and very effective decoration in a library, -without added expense. - - -Windows - -These are features on which architect and librarian may lock horns. The -needs of the interior may call for different windows in every room. The -apparent needs of symmetry may demand uniform height of all windows in -each story outside. But proper planning requires settlement of the ideal -windows by inside considerations. When the architect comes to try the -effect of these in his façade they may not accord with any of his first -sketches. Then comes the tug of war. Can the windows be worked in as they -are? Can they be changed, and yet serve the same purpose? Can the height -of the stories be changed, the rooms be swapped around? Can a becoming -irregularity of exterior be devised? - -It will usually be found possible for an ingenious architect to overcome -apparently insurmountable difficulties, with surprisingly satisfactory -results, even to the architect. In a recent problem, I wanted certain -windows of certain dimensions. The architect did not see how they could -be made to comport with the prescribed style of the building. But he -would not despair, and after several attempts he devised windows which -fully satisfied both of us, and pleased our building committee. “Where -there’s a will, there’s a way,” even architecturally. Remember this when -you come to windows. Anyway, don’t allow them to be planned for purely -ornamental purposes. Insist that they properly light the rooms first, and -afterwards be made comely, if possible. - -“A library should have windows in abundance.”—_Bostwick._[201] Another -authority says you cannot have too many windows, or too large, even if -you have to screen them. “Ample, even excessive light should be admitted -to all reading rooms.”—_B. R. Green._[202] - -For small libraries, or those of medium size, the “box-frame sliding -sash” windows are best, and can be got machine-made. They can be -made tight, are easily managed, and furnish the simplest method of -ventilation, as is elsewhere described. - -In larger libraries there are various kinds used. Airtight, non-opening -windows have been advocated for stacks, to exclude dust and drafts (the -windows in the Library of Congress stack are of this kind), but they are -not much favored. French windows, pivoted at the side, or long windows -pivoted in the middle at top and bottom, will admit air freely in summer. -There are various patented devices to hold a pivoted window open just so -far as may be desired. - -Really the whole matter is for the architect, with the librarian’s advice -as to what is most wanted in each room. Light always, clear light, which -usually precludes stained glass, but may demand translucent or prismatic -glass. Ventilation, perhaps, which requires some way of opening the -whole or part of the window. Easy cleansing always, which also requires -ready opening, or a balcony outside. Due protection against fire, which -requires wire-glass. - -All windows in reading rooms should run up clear to the ceiling, for -ventilation, and because top light penetrates further. “One square foot -of glass near the ceiling admits as much light as ten near the floor. -Pointed Gothic windows are bad.”—_Burgoyne._[203] For the latter reason, -all windows in reading rooms should be square-topped (which shuts out -the Gothic style), and not overhung by eyebrows, nor should they have -thick sashes, bars, leads or mullions, which hamper light. Leaded glass, -especially in diamond or lozenge forms, is hard to clean. Clear, large -panes of good plate glass are best. Study use rather than ornament -everywhere, but most in windows. - -These suggestions as to school rooms might apply to libraries:— - -“The top of the windows is placed as near the ceiling as the finial will -admit. Transom bars should not be permitted.”—_Sturgis._[204] - -“Large sheets of glass rather than the art filagree work so often used, -which obstructs fifty per cent of the light,”—_Burgoyne._[205] - -With these essentials in mind look at the illustrations under this -head, or _passim_, in Sturgis’s Dictionary of Architecture, and see how -few of the picturesque windows there could be used for any reading or -administration room of a modern library. Either pointed or overhanging -tops, or heavy frames, or transoms, or mullions, or traceries, or leaded -panes, must be barred out by the architect who designs libraries. - -=High or Low.= If the windows must run to the ceiling, they have to be -high. How long they are to be, how low they extend, depends on the height -of the story and whether or not wall shelving is wanted below them. If -the library has more than one story and has a stack to limit the height -of stories to fourteen or fifteen feet, shelves all round the wall will -be wanted in many of the rooms. The shelves at extreme height should -only be eight feet to top of cornice, or could be any less height, down -to about four feet, that the exigencies require. The window can take up -as much of the remaining height of wall as needs of lighting demand. -This leaves some alternatives of length and width for the architect in -arranging his exterior. - -High windows above wall shelving are much used, as exterior views will -show. One consideration has occurred to me, which I have not seen -mentioned. In libraries where there is no window low enough to jump out -of, and only one entrance on a floor, where is the extra fire escape -usually demanded by municipal building regulations? - -=High or Low for View.= Some objection has been made recently to high -window sills in a library because only low sills allow a cheerful -outlook. I just put the alternative to a working girl, as a typical user, -and she said, “How could I read if I was watching a squirrel?” This seems -to put the matter in a nut-shell. Library windows are for light, not for -sight. In private libraries or in clubs, the cosy comfort idea can come -uppermost, but in the more practical rooms, especially in reading rooms -chiefly for reference use and study, I should get diffused cheer, so to -speak, from diffused light, and bar looking out of the window. As to the -working rooms, much the same view might be taken, but if a librarian or a -cataloguer pleaded for low sills and a cheery outlook, I might consider -the “personal equation,” and concede it. - -“In German schools, window-stools are set high, and the lower sash glazed -with ribbed glass, so that the pupils cannot look out.”—_Sturgis._ - -=Skylights.= From the plans I judge that flat skylights are more often -used in English libraries than with us. Much objection is made here about -keeping them tight and clean, and certainly leaks and grime are fearsome -in a library. But I have heard architects aver that skylights can be -made leak-proof, and if they can there are certainly many perplexities of -light they would relieve. - -“Top lights always should be double to stop direct sunlight and prevent -draughts. There is great trouble in making them rain-proof.... Large -squares of plate glass are better than small panes or leaded lights.... -Double windows are necessary where traffic is heavy.”—_Burgoyne._[206] -[This is a provision to deaden noise. In America, a double window is only -a protection against winter cold.] - -=Clerestories.= There is often this alternative, to “cabin” the skylight, -or set regular clerestory windows in the walls. This can be made a -beautiful feature, and if it does not add too much to the expense, and -if enough light can be got by them, in the proper spots, with provisions -for easy cleaning, they are certainly free from most of the objections to -skylights. - -[See effective clerestory windows in the “Concourse” of the Salem Public -Library.][207] - - -Light, Artificial - -But granting the superiority of daylight, it is available at the best for -no more than part of the library day. The thronged hours generally follow -a winter twilight, and sometimes range far into the evening. What light -is most cheery, the clearest, the healthiest, and the cheapest, for these -long hours of use? - -=Oil.= Very small libraries have little choice. They have to cling to -the old-fashioned oil lamp. But they are not so unfortunate after all, -for though filling and trimming and cleaning make trouble, no softer or -better reading light has been invented; and swinging argands can give -excellent diffused light, as many a country store will show. With a few -such lamps and an open wood-fire, no such cosiness and cheer can be -matched by a city library. - -You can manage good home-made shades to moderate the glare, from -home-made material—even from brown paper. It will be well to cling to oil -until you have no time to attend to the lamps. - -=Gas.= The next stage is acetylene gas, which can be had without a public -plant, and furnishes a steady and brilliant light. After it, comes -usually the regular gas stage of community development. If the gas plant -is good, the light may be good too, though its fumes are often hard on -lungs and books. If the plant is poor, better go back to oil. - -=Electricity.= But the use of electricity has become so general all over -the country, even in small towns, the light is so good, so safe, and -considering the advantages, so cheap, that you are likely to arrive soon -at the electrical stage, and remain in it permanently through the various -steps of your growth. It is unnecessary in these days, to warn against -defective installation; any architect should be able to arrange that; but -watch it carefully, in planning and as the contractors put their wires in. - -With either form of gas, or with electricity, the choosing and placing of -lights will be one of the most important of your joint problems. - -As far back as 1886, J. E. L. Pickering contributed a paper on the -electric light, to The Library Chronicle[208] which is so sound that it -is worth reading now—a generation later. - -=Location.= In placing your lamps of all kinds, do not think first of -symmetry or appearance, but try to find where the fewest bulbs, of the -kind you determine to use, will bring the best light most directly on the -places where it is wanted, with the smallest expense. - -The kinds of illumination required are:— - -=Diffused.= This is the general light in corridors and rooms, sufficient -for moving about, usually got from chandeliers, sometimes from wall -brackets. - -=Shelves and service desks.= In usual systems, these are lighted, the -desks by different kinds of fixed or hanging desk-lights, the shelves by -a goose-neck protruding at the top, from the cornice between every two -ranges. - -=Readers’.= Usually lighted by rows of lights, shades down the center of -the tables; or movable individual standards near the readers’ chairs, or -by hanging lamps, six or eight feet from the floor. - -=In stacks.= By bulbs at the ceiling of each desk, either hanging down, -or doubled up. - -=Colors.= As elsewhere noted, light colors in walls, ceilings, shelving -and furniture, aid any system of lighting by reflection. - -=Switches.= The location of switches is most important both for -effectiveness and for economy. - -=Systems.= I do not propose to discuss here all the systems of lighting -or makes of lamps and fixtures, but I wish to record a very deliberate -opinion as to the proper trend of experiments in library lighting. - -Seeing a book advertised on “Practical Illumination,” by Cravath and -Lansingh, I bought and have carefully looked it over. The seven pages it -gives to libraries have not helped me at all, but I have found on other -pages matter of interest. This, for instance:— - -“The object of artificial illumination is to enable us to see things.” - -“It is undoubtedly true that the eye is more comfortable when receiving a -moderate amount of light from all directions, _as it does in daylight_, -than when getting all its light from a bright page in a dark room.” - -“The ceilings and walls, if light in color, have considerable value as -reflectors, especially in small rooms.” - -[On page 7 is a table of percentages of light reflected from different -wall papers.] - -The scientific discussions of forms of bulbs, the material of reflectors -and the forms of shades, are very interesting. So is a series of -“demonstration room tests,” especially No. 11,[209] showing a fine -diffused light, thrown from a concealed bulb by a reflector at the -ceiling. - -“Even more important than the economic side of the subject is the -disastrous effect on the eyes caused by numerous common artificial -lighting arrangements.” - -“The ruin of eyesight now common with artificial light is due to the -fact that so few people understand the importance of the proper placing, -reflecting, and shading of artificial lights.” - -“In order not to injure or fatigue the eye, the following points should -be avoided:— - - Flickering light, - Glaring lights, - Glare reflected from paper, - Light from unusual angles, - Too little light, - Too much light, - Streaks of light, - Sharp contrasts of dark and light.” - -“In the lighting of desks there are five principal requirements:— - - The lamp should be out of the line of vision. - Have no regular reflection or glare from paper. - Have the light free from streaks. - Avoid too great intensity. - The light should be steady.” - [I add: Don’t get in your own shadow.] - -“The three reflectors best suited to lighting the shelves of the library -are the opal dome, the fluted opal cone, and the prismatic reflectors.” - -=Indirect lighting.= This is defined thus: “The lamps themselves are not -visible. They are placed in cup or vase or trough mirror-reflectors, from -which the light is thrown up towards the ceiling, to be thence reflected -down into the room.” - -Systems of this kind as used in libraries for all service except -in stacks—for diffused light, shelves, service desks, and readers’ -tables—seem to me to be most like natural daylight, and therefore best -unless too costly. - -The Report of Oculists and Electricians on the Boston Schools,[210] -reported against indirect lighting, believing that “the cost of current -to secure a proper illumination would be prohibitive.” They added, -however, that “No actual experiments were made with indirect lighting, as -objections to its use seemed so obvious as to render them unnecessary.” - -This was in 1907 (for schools) before the experiments in libraries -described below had been made. - -So far they seem successful. The Crerar Library has tried one for -two years. Mr. Andrews says in his last report (1912): “The indirect -system of lighting has been extended over the official catalogue and -the offices. Longer experience confirms the opinion that under suitable -conditions the system is the best for the prolonged use of artificial -light, although this is not always recognized by persons accustomed to -more concentrated illumination. For this reason it has been supplemented -to some extent in this library by table-lights in the reading-rooms.” He -writes me further, “It is undoubtedly more expensive, but it is in my -opinion also much better.” - -A similar system was installed in the John Hay Memorial Library at Brown -University a year ago. Mr. Koopman writes me (Apr. 18, 1912):— - -“Given rooms reasonably adapted for it I should call it the ideal library -system. - -“In our high reading-room [twenty-eight feet high], the conditions are -especially unfavorable owing to the deep panelling of the ceiling. But -if I were to choose afresh I might still prefer our present system; I -certainly should if I could have a flat ceiling [for maximum reflection -of light]. But for rooms of twenty feet in height and under I do not see -how for library purposes one could choose a different system; certainly -most rooms in libraries come within that range.” - -As the height of the ordinary room in a library need not be more than -twelve or thirteen feet; or, if it has to correspond with two stack -stories, 14 or 15 feet; Mr. Koopman’s commendation would hold for all -library rooms, except lofty halls. - -About the lighting of the lofty room, Mr. Charles A. Coolidge, architect -of the John Hay Library, writes as follows:— - -“I think the indirect method of lighting in the rooms where the ceilings -are not high, is very successful. It is only in the main reading-room, -where it made so many hanging fixtures, that I did not like the effect; -it is also expensive, as they have to use so many more lights. It does -not seem to me very cheerful there, and I think the effect would be -better if we had two chandeliers in the room at appropriate places where -they would give a general illumination, and would be high enough to keep -the light out of one’s eyes.” - -I hear that this system is also used in the new St. Louis Public Library -building, but have no report as to its merits. - -From these experiences, west and east, and from my own observations -of other systems in very many libraries, I am prepared to recommend -trial of indirect lighting; especially as encouragement of makers will -undoubtedly induce them to remedy any faults and develop all merits. For -diffused light it is enough, always and everywhere. For shelves, from -top to bottom, it is enough. For staff desks and for readers with strong -eyes, it is enough. Weak eyes, accustomed to concentrated light, may need -more; hence I take it the extra Crerar lamps. New patents are already -appearing. Mr. Andrews further says in his letter: “A combination of this -method with the direct system, called ‘semi-indirect,’ is used in the -City Club at Chicago.” - -It is even possible that the expense of installation and operation may be -reduced. - -=Fixtures.= Have these plain and substantial. If you do not try some -indirect system, but hold to direct lighting, do not surrender yourself -to the first or the most insistent agent. Urge your architect to a -deliberate study of lamps, their power, position, bulbs, and shading, and -indeed all their appurtenances and fixtures. - -Do not, in the first place, let the architect arrange the lamps for -picturesque effect. If he can make the lights ideal for service and -for readers, well and good; but get the utilitarian effect first; the -artistic afterwards, if you can. - -Again, do not accept too meekly the salesman’s or contractor’s or -architect’s selection of shades and fixtures. Watch, inspect, read -everywhere, and when you make up your mind clearly what is best for you, -insist on getting it. But avoid especially “art fixtures.” - -I have been especially warned not to use the ornamental chain pendant for -chandeliers, like that shown after p. 14 of the above mentioned Report of -Oculists. The slightest draft will twist them, and break the wires inside. - -And for desk or table electric reading lamps, use the movable and -self-adjusting kind, so that every reader can turn on his own light, and -arrange its angle as he chooses. - -_In General._ Very large libraries can perhaps economize by installing -their own electric plants, but get them outside the building if -possible, as the jar of the engines and their whir are disturbing. In -a group of municipal or university buildings, the library can get its -current from a common source. - -L. B. Marks, 103 Park Avenue, New York, has written a paper on “The -Design of Illumination in the New York Carnegie Libraries.”[211] In this -he advises consulting a specialist in every new problem. - -In fact, with the complexity of functions in a large library, the need -increases of seeking the advice of specialists on many points;—heating, -lighting, ventilation, stacks, fireproof vaults are subjects where -neither the librarian or the architect may know all the latest phases of -the subject, and really want skilled information. - -Champneys[212] recommends that oil lamps be kept lighted at stations all -over a library, lest sudden failure of the electric light plunge it into -darkness. - - -Heating and Ventilation - -Except far north, these look out for themselves fairly well. As winter -approaches, they ought to look out for each other. When you begin to plan -for artificial heat, you can plan for ventilation at the same time. - -In the smallest libraries, in wooded regions, wide fireplaces with wood -fires make cheerful if not very even heat, and excellent ventilation up -the chimney. In places where wood is scarce or dear, some sort of stove, -like those used in groceries, depots, or schools, is next called into -play. The interior view, for instance, of the Keene Valley Public Library -(in Eastman[213]) shows such a stove at the right. The floor plans show a -“wood-house.” In buying a stove, one of the makes with a jacket, on the -furnace principle, can combine heat and ventilation best. - -=Fireplaces.= We do not often use coal grates, but architectural features -common in our libraries are wood-fireplaces. The excuse for introducing -them is cosiness, cheerfulness, and ventilation. They are certainly cosy -when a fire is kept up, but tending them requires a deal of time, the -heat is rather irregular, the ashes are a bit blowy. Ventilation is no -better by fireplace than through any other aperture, unless some sort of -flame is kept up—a tiny gas-jet under the flue sometimes serves as an -irritant. As usually built they cost money; and they usually interfere -with wall-shelving which is needed. In small libraries with wall space -to spare, where wood is the cheapest fuel, it may be well to have a -fireplace with a fire tended by the townspeople; but in larger buildings -fireplaces are generally nuisances, to be banished to the trustees’ room, -if the architect wants one somewhere. - -Champneys[214] thinks “open fires are to be avoided in all public rooms, -because of unequal distribution of heat, of dust and noise, and of -labor.” This is undoubtedly true of soft-coal grate fires, such as they -have in England, but has Champneys ever seen the cleanly cheer of a -country fireplace, full of six-foot logs? Few of us can afford them even -in forest regions, but what an invitation such a glow offers in a rural -neighborhood! - -The next step beyond the stove would be the ordinary dwelling-house -hot-air furnace; doubled or reinforced by a small one, if the house is -a little too large to provide properly-gauged heat for all varieties of -weather by one furnace. - -During these smallest stages of growth, reliance for ventilation can at -first be placed on crevices, occasional opening of doors, and the open -chimney. - -=Window Bar Ventilation.= When these rudimentary means become inadequate, -the simple device of window bars (as I have found in my own house and -office for a generation past) will keep even the air of crowded rooms -freshened, without drafts. There are many patented devices embodying -this principle, but there is no need to waste money on them. The village -carpenter can saw out for every window a plain duplicate of the lower -bar, a quarter of an inch shorter, but beveled like it, to slip in easily -and tight. When the lower sash is lifted, this bar inserted, and the -sash shut close to it, there is a space above between the two sashes, -which at the same time lets out the foul air, and lets in the fresh, -without any perceptible draft. The only caution to be observed, even in -cold weather, is to put the bar on the leeward windows, away from those -against which the wind is blowing too strongly. This simple fresh air -system is very effective. Try it on one window anywhere, and see if you -do not like it. - -=The Next Method.= Next comes steam heat, very common, very -unsatisfactory, very cheap; with radiators, very ugly in a library, very -much in the way; requiring some scheme of admitting sufficient fresh air -regularly, and ejecting air that has been breathed. - -A low-pressure indirect hot water system gives the best heat, most easily -managed and properly combined with fresh air supply. The only reason that -it is not universally adopted is that steam boilers and radiators are -cheaper. Here, however, is one of the alternatives in library building -where the money available ought to be put into health and comfort rather -than into mere show. - -For ventilation, in the simpler forms of steam and hot-air heating, the -simplest, cheapest, and often most effective method is to take fresh air -by several inlets direct from outside, up under radiators, to be heated -by passage through them and let out into the room. - -In large libraries, some more effective system of heating, with forced -draft ventilation by blowers, fans or inducers, must be installed by the -architect under advice of competent engineers. The part of the librarian -in this stage of planning will be to get the building committee to take -the most effective method, rather than the cheapest, diverting to this -essential of health some of the funds which can be withheld from inside -or outside ornament. - -=Temperature.= One of the striking differences between England and -the United States is that in the standards of temperature, Champneys[215] -calls for 60° to 62° Fahrenheit for rooms, 56° for corridors. -Burgoyne[215] reports 50° in the stack at Strassburg. - -The A. L. A. Committee on Ventilation and Lighting takes as the standard -70° as a medium temperature for the circular inquiries it is making. -It is usually assumed that a lower standard may be set for stacks, and -places where attendants or readers move around rather than sit. Certainly -we try to keep our houses and offices and the reading-rooms of our -libraries 68° to 70°. - -=In General.= An article in “The Librarian,”[216] specifies five heaters, -thus:— - - 1. Open fire grates; cheerful but troublesome. - 2. Hot-water radiators; popular. - 3. Steam radiators. - 4. Gas or electric heaters; only for small rooms. - 5. Coal stoves; not desirable in libraries. - -=Thermometers.= Perhaps the architect can plan his heating apparatus -so cleverly, or your janitor can run the plant so watchfully, that an -equable and agreeable temperature can be maintained everywhere. Among -your fittings, however, do not fail to plan for plenty of thermometers as -indicators to be watched by the staff. Underheating promotes discomfort, -coughs, colds; overheating stupefies staff and readers. - -=Basic Advice.= In 1893 Dr. John S. Billings, now of the New York Public -Library, published an interesting and sensible volume on Ventilation and -Heating, in which, however, no special mention is made of libraries. I -quote some general remarks, which seem pertinent:[217]— - -“It is important that those who form and direct opinion on this subject -should look to it that the buildings which they plan, and especially -those in which numbers of men, women or children are to be brought -together, are so constructed and arranged _that no one shall poison -himself or others by the air which he expires_. - -“I do not mean by this that every man should aim to be an expert on plans -and specifications for ventilation, nor that he should rely on his own -judgment as to the best way to secure it, but that he should insist on -having it provided for, and should see that skilled advice on the subject -is obtained. - -“Among the first questions which the architect has to solve for -each building which he plans or constructs, in order to secure good -ventilation are the following:— - -“_First_—How much money shall be allowed to secure ventilation in this -case? - -“_Second_—Which of several methods should be employed to effect this, -taking into consideration the character and location of the building, and -the amount of funds available? - -“It is also the business of the architect to see that the builders do -not, in a spasm of economy or retrenchment, make a reduction in some -point which will affect the ventilation, _rather than cut off some of -the merely ornamental and comparatively useless decorative work of the -exterior_. - -“However much the architect may be inclined to let the owners have -their own way in planning their own residences; when it comes to public -buildings, it is his duty _not only to advise but to insist_ on proper -arrangements for heating, ventilation, drainage and plumbing. If it -be his misfortune to deal on such matters with ignorant committee-men -who with a limited appropriation persist in omitting, for, the sake of -cheapness, some of those points in construction which are essential -for keeping the building in proper sanitary condition, it is _his duty -as a skilled professional man to decline to have anything to do with -the matter_ rather than suffer himself to be used as a tool to execute -work which he knows will be dangerous to the health and life of his -fellow-citizens or of their children.” - -These are ringing words to be addressed to an architect. How much more -do they apply to the librarian who is the expert adviser not only as to -effective methods of work, but also as to the comfort and health of all -his staff and for all the public who are to use the building. - -A paper by Dr. Billings, on the special subject of Library Heating and -Ventilation, after his experience in New York, first in old buildings and -now in a new building, should be of very great value. - - -Plumbing, Drains, Sewers - -This is another group to be provided for satisfactorily before any money -is allotted to frills. The architect ought to be expert in all three -specialties; but a householder wants to know just what the architect is -going to do in building his house. The librarian is in this instance -the housekeeper, at least, and has not only a right, but a duty, of -inquisitiveness; for carelessness or mistakes on the part of draftsmen, -ignorance or worse on the part of workman, might seriously affect the -health of a large number of people. - -=Underdraining.= Is your lot dry down below the foundations of the -building? See to this before you start to build, for a damp basement for -a library leads to book-tuberculosis, if nothing worse. - -=Drains.= Gutters send a lot of water down from the roof, and unless this -is led away by tight conductors, leading into drains that are sure to -carry it off, the resulting moisture will gather along the foundations -and show on the inside walls. I have had experience and expense with this -trouble on my own premises. - -=Sewers.= In cities, drains and sewers usually combine in joint drainage. -Here you have to watch your own grounds, your neighbors’, and the town’s -connections; avoiding interference, and watching for loose joints, -careless workmanship, and downright dishonesty. Watch your architect, -watch the contractors. - -=Plumbing.= Be very careful that the water pipes do not run too near, or -behind or directly under or over the shelves. Bursting pipes threaten -damage and disaster to books. - -In indicating where you want your water-fixtures, remember that -unnecessary scattering entails unnecessary expense. Economy demands, and -efficiency rarely forbids, putting pipes in stacks up and down stairs, -one fixture under another, and all near chimneys or somewhere else safe -from freezing. - -=File plans.= As suggested under another head, keep your plumbing and -drainage plans separately, file them in a pamphlet plainly labelled and -catalogued. You may want in a hurry sometime to know just where every -pipe and drain can be got at easily. - - -Cleanliness - -=Prevention.= It has been suggested that library windows, especially -stack windows, be made tight, never to be opened; but the hermetically -sealed library does not seem to appeal strongly to the public. Dust can -be excluded by carefully planned vestibules, and by opening windows only -at certain times, and in certain winds, when dust outside does not drive -in. In many large libraries, methods of dust-absorption are provided -for air-inlets, and such excluders are common to all systems of forced -draught. - -=Inside Dust.= In addition to the dust that drives in from the street, -and that which rises from mud tracked in, there is some that is evolved -from certain book-bindings and from processes of handling, which has to -be kept down. Library housekeeping is a steady process. - -=Cleaners.= The old-fashioned sweeping and mopping with the old -implements, are not yet out-of-date, but there are many more or less -expensive patent sweepers, which are supposed to be dustless. Vacuum -cleaners have come to stay. Mr. Hodges of Cincinnati anticipated their -use in libraries years ago, and made an effective machine of his own. A -simple way is to open dusting ducts, in which books may be dusted while -all dust is blown away outside. But in a large enough library, it is now -wise while installing a stack, to have some system of vacuum standpipes -built in to reach every floor; and in any library some of the simpler -and more effective forms of patent sweepers or vacuum cleaners may be -provided and stored in basement, attic or closets. - -=Bowls and Taps.= Sinks with taps for filling pails are useful on all -floors, for scrub-women and for first aid in fires. They can easily be -combined with wash-bowls, thus avoiding multiplicity of fixtures. - -=Wash-bowls.= Using books is not always cleanly work, and both attendants -and readers often need facilities for washing their hands. Wash-bowls can -be concealed in closets or tucked into special cupboards in shelving, -where they are not obvious. There are too few of them oftener than too -many in a library. Consider the rooms there where staff or readers might -wish to wash their hands after handling dusty books. Frequent ablutions -would cleanse the users, and protect books. Children, sometimes adults, -come to the library with grimy hands, so that wash-bowls near entrances -may be welcome conveniences. But all bowls should be set where they can -be watched by one of the staff. - -“The library of the future will be found to contain lavatories -where every one wishing to use books will first have to cleanse his -hands.”—_Reinick._ See p. 222 _post._ - - -Protection from Enemies - -Blades in his “Enemies of Books” enumerates Fire, Water, Gas, Heat, Dust, -Neglect, Bookworms, Mice and other vermin [to which he might have added -book thieves, extra illustrators, mutilators and defacers]. - -Against the latter group, supervision is a deterrent. - -Gas is vanishing before the electric light. - -Neglect we cannot allow, or plead guilty to. - -Bookworms and vermin have not apparently worried our libraries as much as -those of the old world. They can hardly be guarded against in building, -except as we guard against moisture and filth. - -=Fire= is a great danger in our climate. There is some quality in the -atmosphere—some latent condition akin to electricity, which feeds -flames. We have concluded that limits of expense and considerations of -convenience render it impossible to make our buildings, or any part of -them, except the vault for valuables, absolutely fireproof. - -In view of the fact that books will always remain combustible, -and sensitive to injury from smoke and water, it is now generally -conceded that all we need aim at is isolation, slow combustion through -“warehouse-construction,” hollow walls, iron or steel shelving, and the -like. - -Outside iron shutters are considered clumsy, and not so good protection -as distance from other buildings. Inside iron doors are frequently -neglected, and tend to curl up in hot flames. Local fire regulations -sometimes require protected doors through partitions—for which -slow-burning wood, tinned, is preferred. These are often interposed -between the stack and the rest of the building. The stack can be made -more fireproof than the rest, without much extra expense. Its greatest -danger, shared with other parts, is from crossed electric wires. Against -these, careful installation by conscientious electrical experts is the -chief protection. - -Thoroughly fireproofing the boiler-rooms, ash-pit and waste-paper bin -is a protection any building can have, and in many cases these can all -be set outside. Heating-pipes can be kept from contact with woodwork or -books, and can be protected with asbestos or otherwise. - -=Material= is a great factor of danger or safety. Wood, unless treated -chemically, is more dangerous than iron or stone, but inside iron needs -protection from flame, lest it yield when most needed. In the San -Francisco fire, brick and terra cotta withstood heat better than marble, -granite, sandstone, or limestone.[218] - -The great use now made of concrete for floors, ceilings, partitions, and -walls renders modern buildings safer from fire, and is to be commended -especially in libraries. - -The roof is vulnerable and should be of non-inflammable material, -fireproofed if possible. Sparks blown from neighboring conflagrations, -lighting on an unguarded public building, give the greatest outside -danger. Tar roofs are said to be non-combustible, when properly -gravelled, but do not be too sure of them. Tile, slate, asbestos-shingles -should insure you. - -=Elevators.= These and lifts furnish in their shafts dangerous -draft-flues for fires starting below. If there is any way to provide -doors and trap-doors easily managed, to shut off every floor, one great -danger of spread of fire is removed. - -=Glass.= As outside shutters are objectionable, tough wire-glass, which -does not break easily from heat, will furnish a measurable protection -from outside fire, without materially diminishing light. Indeed it may -transmit or reflect light better than large panes of plate glass, which -shatter too easily. - -=Fire-buckets= on every floor, prescribed in many insurance regulations, -are not so necessary when there are water-taps handy everywhere, as -recommended above. Fire extinguishers, however, are not superfluous. - -=Standpipes.= In large buildings the local fire department can aid the -architect by suggesting the most effective location for service pipes -to command every corner of every room and passage most effectively and -economically. - -=Lightning.= Lightning rods, once deemed so essential, do not seem -popular now, but metal standpipes, and steel stacks, well-grounded, -would certainly serve to carry lightning down to the depth of permanent -moisture. I cannot hear that lightning has ever found stacks attractive. - -=Water.= Leaks are bad for books, and fussy for folks. Roofs and cellars -may let in moisture, and a library needs tightness in both. Unless it -is well constructed and tested at the outset, the leaks, the seepage -of a building are hard to find and to stop. No care and thought should -be spared concerning this insidious enemy, from choosing the site to -flashing the roof-tree. - -Since drafting this chapter, I am reminded by an article in Vol. I of -the “Library Association Record,”[219] of certain bookworms or grubs I -have found in old books from the damp shores of our gulf states. Mr. -Widman of St. Charles College is quoted as saying, “We see the time when -we shall have to burn part of our books to save the other part.” But I -find no suggestion as to any provisions in building which would check -such pests. Rigid exclusion of moisture from foundations and walls would -probably be the only palliative. - -I have noticed cloth bindings of books, especially public documents from -gulf states, badly eaten by roaches. - -William R. Reinick, Chief of Documents in the Philadelphia Free Library, -has printed results of experiments as to insects that destroy books, in -Scientific American Supplements of Dec. 24, 1910, and May 11, 1912. He -says:— - -“It has been stated that more books have been destroyed by small forms of -life than by fire and water combined.” - -“Heat, dampness, and dirt deposited in handling books, develop worms, -etc.” - -“Libraries keep many books in dark places, badly ventilated. Darkness, -damp air, and leaving books long undisturbed, favor propagation of small -forms of life.” - -“_Light and cleanliness_ are the two most important factors in preventing -the ravages of insects and also of fungi which grow upon and in books in -a damp, warm atmosphere.” - -While few libraries in our northern states have suffered from book -worms and the like, will it not be well to experiment before entrusting -rare books to sliding cases, or any books to dark central or especially -underground stacks? - -=Stacks.= There is one danger in many stacks. A wide space is left -between “deck” and shelves on each edge. The danger of dropping small -articles like pencils and pads is elsewhere spoken of, but do not such -unnecessary wide spaces increase the danger of fire from below and leaks -from above? - - -Fireproof Vaults - -But if it is deemed unnecessary to go to the expense of fireproofing the -whole building, it is certainly necessary for every library which has -valuable books, manuscripts, or records, to have some sort of a strong -room, proof against both fire, moisture, and ordinary book-thieves. This -should be large enough for present treasures and probable growth, and can -be treated as one of the luxuries of the building, where luxury can be -afforded. It need not rob any reading-room of light, but can be located -in a dark corner of the cellar or elsewhere which seems useless for any -other purpose. Unless watched, builders are apt to slight vaults, and -finish them rough, shabby, or damp. This is inexcusable, now that such -conveniences are common in banks, even in small towns. There must be -many expert and honest vault builders in every large city. For light, -ventilation and comfort refer to any “Safe-Deposit Vaults” below banks. -For absolute security read of the safety with which so large a quantity -of bonds came out of the Equitable fire in New York. When you allot your -bids, take the expert constructor of the firm contracting for the vault -into your confidence, and ask his advice about such late improvements as -need not increase his bid. He ought to want the advertisement of your -approbation as much as you want an excellent piece of work. - -A plain fireproof brick bin for waste paper and rubbish and one for hot -ashes are guardians against fire. - -A common safe will be enough for the account books and most essential -records of a small library which cannot afford a vault. If the floor is -made strong enough, it can be kept in a corner or a closet reserved for -it in the librarian’s or trustees’ room. - - -Central Spaces - -Large rectangular buildings have central spaces and one of the first -questions for the planners—indeed the key to the whole design—is “what -use shall we make of this space, leave it open, devote it to reading or -delivery, or occupy it by stacks?” - -=Areas= are often used to light basement windows, but they are apt to -catch rubbish and in winter to invite snowdrifts, which are difficult to -clean out. Where they must be used they are better if extended to form a -sort of moat, wide enough to be reached by a special flight of steps, for -use in cleaning, and lined with white stone or glazed brick to reflect -light into the basement. - -=Courtyards.= In large buildings, a large courtyard admits light to all -the interior walls, but is usually too wasteful of space. The interior -is generally used either for delivery, reading or stack; not solidly -occupying the whole available space; lighted from the top, and so shaped -as to leave small corner courtyards as shafts for light and air. If the -walls of these shafts are faced with glazed brick, they may light, very -effectively, inside rooms, passages and stairs. - -=Kept Open.= In the Boston Public Library, the central space was planned -for architectural effect, and left open. This arrangement, if the -interior walls had windows planned for light, rather than for effect, -would render both faces of all four sides of the building, available -for useful rooms; but as it is, adequate light is not given to rooms, -and thus is wasted. When attention was called to this waste, and to the -disjunctive effect which threw communications out to exterior lines, the -advocates of the scheme enlarged upon the opportunities it would give for -readers to carry books out there and read under the æsthetic effects of a -canopy which excludes direct light from the lower story, as the monks of -old are pictured as using their arcades. With this in mind I have often -peered out there from the staircase windows, but have never detected such -a reader. The present effect may please æsthetic visitors, but I doubt if -it could secure a vote from practical modern librarians. - -=Central Reading Room.= With the huge reading rooms of the Library of -Congress and the British Museum in mind, anyone can understand this use, -which is striking. Whether it is the ideal form for a reading-room is -more doubtful. It certainly, when high, wastes a deal of room in upper -space, not needed for light or ventilation, and it needlessly blocks -light which might render the inner fronts of the building useful for -various purposes. In this position of the reading or delivery room, the -corresponding stack would cross the rear, and perhaps range along the -sides of the rectangle. - -=Central Delivery.= Another use is for the main delivery, with generally -a lower roof than a reading-room would have unless obstructive. If light -for this is drawn from above it will be ample for enough floor shelving -to bring certain parts of the open-access books near to the desk and -catalog. - -=Stacks.= Sometime in the future, all the central space of a large -building may be given to a solid stack, from sub-cellars to roof, lighted -only by electricity, ventilated from above by forced draught, and opening -on reading and administrative rooms all around. - -But until this era of dark storage (which heaven forfend!) there is a -possibility of stacks in the form of cross-sections, or a Greek cross, -with corner areas for light and air, and feeding a smaller central room -for reading or delivery, or even feeding suites of reading rooms around -the perimeter after the fashion of the Library of Congress building. - -=Combination.= Still another use of the center space is possible (as -in the new Brooklyn Central Library plans): stories of stacks below, -delivery-room above, on the level with the ground floor of the building; -the reading room above that. - -=Dark Places.= There will inevitably come corners in every building where -full light cannot get in. Some faulty buildings are full of such corners. -Study the plans you find, to detect such faults and avoid them. When -your own plans, after all your care, disclose such spots of darkness, -think over your various needs and see if some use cannot be made of such -otherwise wasted gaps. There are some closets, even rooms, which do not -require any light, or require it so seldom that a flash of electric -light, now and then, will serve almost as well as daylight. For instance, -there is the book vault, the photographic dark room, many closets for -supplies, shelves for duplicates; heaters, coal bunks, ash and waste -paper bins, _et id genus omne_. All such that you can relegate to places -hopelessly dark, will leave so much more free daylight to be used. - -=Closets.= Closets in a library need not be as numerous as in a dwelling -house, but they are about as useful. Careful planning can get them in -where they are wanted without sacrificing space which can be used for -books or readers. For instance, rooms as you have to fit them into your -floor plans often have one dimension a bit too long. Some times, you -have a librarian’s room which seems rather to waste two or three feet -farthest from the windows. Make a closet of this, or a nook for drawers -and books. The next room is a thought too wide. Slice two feet off the -width into a row of cupboards or wardrobes. Show your ingenuity in such -refinements of planning. - -And every closet is much like every library. It is capable of, and it -deserves individuality. Instead of making a dozen closets alike, plan -a separate use for each, and lay out its drawers, shelves, cupboards, -books, wash-bowls, beforehand. This will save you steps and minutes -later, and reap the satisfaction of smooth service. - -=Store-rooms.= Store-rooms differ somewhat from closets—they are more -wholesale. They require much planning in detail. Do you want bins, open -shelving, or glass doors? Do you want hinged doors, or sliding? Do you -want bins or drawers below, and shelves above? Do you want the same -treatment all round and perhaps in the middle of the floor? Do you need -high shelves, or pigeon-holes, or pegs, or hooks? - -You must plan storage for stationery, material, labels. - -Closets of course, can be used for storage, in addition to other uses, -toilet, wraps, etc. - - -Lifts: Elevators - -=Lifts.= By this phrase are designated booklifts—for single volumes or -small lots, as distinguished from elevators to carry passengers and -boxes. Lifts are chiefly used in stacks, and will be considered under -that head. They are also needed between administration rooms on different -floors, as from the unpacking room to the catalog-room, and from the desk -or the stacks up to special reading rooms. - -For small libraries, hand lifts can be made to run easily. In larger -libraries, electric lifts save a deal of time, but these are more -expensive in first cost and cost of operation and repair. - -Champneys[220] says, “Line cages with leather or rubber. Attach clips for -papers.” - -=Elevators.= These are not at all needed in small libraries, and their -use should be postponed as long as possible as a library grows larger, -not only on account of initial cost, space required, and danger of -furnishing upward drafts in case of fire, but because of the treble cost -of running—power, manning and tinkering. They are one of the necessary -nuisances of large buildings. - -When used, they may be installed in dark inside corners, and should -so accommodate passage up and down that less space need be put into -staircases. They should open outside rather than inside rooms, even if -special corridors have to be provided. The stir of operation, entrance -and exit is very disturbing for staff as well as for readers. - -The necessity of installing an elevator marks a debatable and epochal -point in the development of a library. Indeed I have thought of -classifying buildings,—those which can get along without elevators; and -those that must have them. Here comes a great leap in the expense of -operation. - -The number of elevators in the building, their size, their position, -the system of operating them, all have an immediate bearing on annual -operating expenses, and in very large libraries need a vast amount of -special study and conference. - - -Mechanical Carriers - -Some jubilation has been expressed by librarians and architects over -the conquest of space through the aid of invention, but space and time -have not yet been entirely annihilated. Two hundred feet by carrier may -be shorter than a hundred by foot, but it is still twice as far as a -hundred feet by carrier, and in planning to use mechanical aids, it is -still necessary to remember that a straight line is the shortest distance -between two points. - -For small packages and small libraries, tubes (pneumatic propulsion or -exhaust) are the simplest contrivance for horizontal carriage, and they -will serve many purposes in larger libraries. - -In large buildings it is usually wise to provide some sort of machinery -from remote parts of the stack to the delivery desk, and also direct to -the reading-room floors; although the leading specialist on this subject, -Bernard R. Green[221] of the Library of Congress, warns that they should -only be adopted as a matter of necessity, for they require expenditure, -space and complicated machinery. There are forms to be studied in most -of the very large libraries, government, university and public. As every -new library building will probably devise some decided improvement in -tubes and carriers, I will not take space here to describe the different -devices now in use, but will advise very careful study of every problem -as it arises. Burgoyne[222] describes the Boston Public Library -System.[223] The Library of Congress underground system which has been -in continuous service satisfactorily since 1897, has also been very well -described in The Library.[224] - -It seems to me that the services I have seen are heavier, clumsier and -slower than is necessary, and that something of the ingenuity that has -been put into commercial cash-carrier systems might devise for libraries -book-baskets, run on wires, which would serve all purposes for single -volumes or small lots of books. Those now operating also suggest frequent -stoppages for repairs. “Carriers that turn corners are apt to get out of -order,” says Bostwick.[225] - -But at all events, no conveniences of machinery should serve as an -architectural excuse for separating or increasing distance between -departments. - -=Tunnels.= For passage from cellar of one building to another in groups; -or from one wing to another in the same building, underground passages -may be required. They are usually floored, ceiled and walled, with stone -or cement, but it has occurred to me that in some cases, large cast-iron -water pipes, well laid, would make a cheaper, tighter, stronger and -otherwise more satisfactory communication. For staff usage the height of -a small man is sufficient; for bulky boxes the size of a car running on -rails, and drawn by hand or by endless chain, would define the width, and -a slight additional height would allow for overhead hanging book-baskets. - - -Telephones and Tubes - -These are most necessary for quick work. All libraries with more than one -story, or even more than one room, can use speaking-tubes to advantage. -They are inexpensive, and are easily put in while building. If installed -at first, they need not cost much, and save many steps, if they be run -only from the librarian’s desk to the janitor. For larger libraries, they -can connect desk and stack, librarian and assistants, departments with -each other. In stacks they are very serviceable, placed next the lift -and running both to delivery desk and to janitor’s room. In still larger -libraries some form of house-telephone will speed and simplify service, -with an exchange desk, switchboard, and special operator. - -Consult the local telephone company about the different styles and -prices. You will perhaps be surprised to find how cheaply they can be set -and run, even as compared with a speaking-tube system. - -Dr. Richard Garnett recommends the telautograph for transmitting -inquiries and orders,[226] and also says,[227] “In planning large -libraries, it will be necessary to take mechanical contrivances into -account to a much greater extent than hitherto.” - -Less marble columns, fewer dadoes, and more tubes and telephones, would -ensure a better working library. - - - - -E. - -DEPARTMENTS AND ROOMS - -_In this Book suggestions are made as to location and equipment of every -room in a library. Note especially Stack-towers, Carrels, and Sliding -Cases._ - - - - -E. - -DEPARTMENTS AND ROOMS - - -PART I - -ADMINISTRATION ROOMS - -While books are the substance of a library and readers the object, how to -bring them together is the key to arrangement of the plan; therefore the -first consideration among rooms is here given to administration. - -Except as otherwise specified later, the working rooms ought to be put in -the center of the library, in order of processes for handling books and -serving readers, and ought to be in the most direct connection possible -with each other, with stacks and with reading rooms. Here centers good -planning. - -Always remember what economy lies in close connections, concentration, -and short distances. - -Every saving in communication may mean an attendant saved, and a smaller -pay-roll. - -“Ease and smoothness of administration are to further public service or -lessen expense.”—_Bostwick._[228] - -“They must be in sequence, so that books may be (1) received; (2) -catalogued; (3) prepared; (4) shelved, without jumping around from one -part to another.”—_Idem._[229] - -See excellent article by W. K. Stetson on centralized administration, 36 -L. J., p. 467. - -In his article on Library Buildings, in the U. S. Public Libraries -Special Report of 1876,[230] Justin Winsor pictures the preliminary -operations of preparing books for the reader—the first steps of -administration, as carried out in a large room, surrounded by stalls -connected by tramways for book boxes, and supervised by a superintendent -from a raised platform in the centre, who directs the successive -operations and operators, all under his eye. - -This arrangement persists, but except so far as it governs packing and -unpacking, is now usually separated into different rooms, all made parts -of a suite, connected either horizontally or perpendicularly, and served -by special lifts and elevators. - -Such rooms for a large library are here described in separate chapters. -In smaller libraries practically the same operations are compressed into -fewer rooms. - - -Trustees’ Room - -In very small libraries none is necessary; nor need one be set aside, as -the library grows larger, until other more necessary rooms are provided -for. The trustees as a body do not meet every day, and their committees -only meet an hour or so at a time, so that they can well use one of the -staff rooms whose occupants can temporarily get busy elsewhere, or use -special rooms only occasionally used. - -In growing libraries, when rooms have to be set aside for any purposes -which do not require constant occupation, any one of these can be -used for trustees. Their meetings, and those of their committees, are -generally held in late afternoon or evening, when it would not interfere -with intermittent processes or infrequent readers. It has always seemed -to me that a Local History room would be an excellent refuge for trustees -in a building where space had to be economized, especially as local -history is a proper function for a small library with either an active -librarian, or an active local society, or both. - -When the library gets larger, it is well to consider that the trustees -represent the public which owns the library. They are usually selected -with care for what is held to be the most honorable position in town. -They serve without pay. In character, in prominence, in responsibility, -in service, their board deserves prominent recognition in planning a -building. As they will use their quarters less often than staff or -readers use their rooms, they need not take up any space which is -desirable for active departments. They can be put anywhere in the -building where space can best be spared. But as they are sometimes -elderly men, they ought not to be expected to climb many flights of -stairs, and in buildings without elevators, should not have to go higher -than the second floor. - -In furniture and decoration, a deal of money has been wasted on trustees’ -rooms. They ought to have a cheerful, cosey, dignified and comfortable -room, but as no library ever has enough money for its actual needs, it is -willful and sinful waste to devise massive and costly furniture (usually -very uncomfortable) and splendid ornament, for the modest gentlemen (and -ladies) who will spend a few hours there every month. - -Good proportions, cheerful color, good natural and artificial light, -a warm carpet perhaps, a ceiling not too lofty, comfortable yet not -necessarily expensive furniture, with lockers or hat racks, even a -fireplace if the architect thinks it would add to the effect of the -room (here a fireplace would be most permissible); these will make an -apartment where trustees can be at their best, wise, sensible, never -contentious or captious. - -Even then, it does not seem necessary to set aside an otherwise useless -room entirely to a board which occupies it so seldom. Think if it cannot -be put to some special use, for clubs, or if that would desecrate it, to -housing some special collection not likely to be wanted at the hours of -board meetings. By all means shelve it round about—there is no decoration -in a library like books in good binding, even in bright cloth covers,—and -let it be one of the semi-public rooms, to be shown with pride; or -sparingly used by those readers or students who deserve to be ranked as -users with trustees. - - -Librarian’s Room - -Though the delivery room be the center of service, the librarian’s room -is the center of direction. Whether it should be close to the delivery -room or to any special department, depends first upon the size of the -library, then upon its class and methods. Sometimes it is thought well -for the librarian not only to be in close touch with his staff, but to be -accessible to the public. If he does not wish to use his time entirely as -an information clerk, a position may be assigned to him quite apart from -staff or public rooms, on any floor. Modern systems of tube or telephone -(which should always be liberally provided to keep all departments in -close call), will sufficiently overcome distance to enable him to summon -to his room anyone he wishes to see. Champneys even suggests an extra -exit as an escape from bores, if they succeed in getting in. - -Where his position is to be, in the building, it is for the librarian to -decide, provided the trustees approve him sufficiently to keep him to run -the new building. He is to run it, and he ought to have the place which -will let him run it most easily, according to the methods he may wish to -follow. No one else should compel him to go where he will be hampered by -any discomforts. - -As to arrangements and furniture, there will be needed such tables as -the size of the room may allow, such chairs as the occupant may require, -as well as enough for visitors, wardrobes for his clothes, closets for -his stores (see list of stores which may be needed in a stationery -cabinet—_Duff-Brown_[231]), private toilet room, a space (usually) for -a small fireproof safe for his and the trustees’ valuable immediate -papers, such wall shelving as he may require for his personal books and -bibliography, telephone and tube space handy to his seat, a keyboard for -keys, and enough free floor space for such revolving bookcases and such -floor cases as he may further require, not to forget passage room for -visitors. - -As to location, so as to arrangement, the librarian should here have a -free hand, however much he must yield his preferences elsewhere. It is -his room, and should be a part of his individuality. To allow this to -him, is the first and longest step toward good administration during the -whole life of the building. - -In England, a private residence is often provided in the building for the -librarian, but seldom or never in America. - -=Ante-room.= In a library of some size, a comparatively small room, or -even two or three low rooms are very much better for the librarian than -one large, high room. If there is an assistant librarian or private -secretary, he needs a separate room, and if there is to be a private -stenographer, she can share this outer room, and either part of it, or -still another room can be assigned to staff or public, waiting for their -turn of admittance. Indeed, a suite of three not very large rooms is -quite ideal, especially as many of the librarian’s impedimenta can be -distributed over the larger shelf and closet space available. - -=Heads of Departments.= In a large library with departments, each of -their heads should have his own little room or rooms, according to -his duties and the bulk of his records, close to the center or edge -of the groups of rooms he is to manage, with such tube and telephone -communication as will place him in close touch with the librarian, with -his inferiors, and with such other departments as he aids in serving. - - -Other Staff Quarters - -Staff work is divided by Bostwick[232] into,— - -_Administrative_, which would cover librarian, his assistants, and heads -of departments. - -_Contact with the public_, including those of advisory, educational, or -disciplinary duties. - -_Clerical_, subordinates in offices and catalog departments. - -_Buying and distribution_, including those engaged in preparing and -circulating books. - -_Care of Building._ - -This would indicate a group or number of rooms for each class, the -“administrative” (already treated) and “buying and distribution” somewhat -clustered, the “clerical” and “contact with the public” distributed among -the others, and the “care of building” generally centered in the basement. - -In addition to these classes or groups, a general room or rooms will be -needed in a large library for staff meetings, staff lectures and staff -training school. One large room should serve alternately for all such -purposes, especially if divided by sliding or folding partitions to make -of it either a large or small room as desired. Special audience or school -furniture is needed here. - - -Public Waiting Rooms - -These are not wanted in small libraries, where the space left in front of -the delivery desk will provide for casual visitors as well as for those -waiting for books. - -In large libraries, it is well to provide a place where visitors can rest -and have the privilege of talking, and where members of the staff may -see friends, if necessary. This is best near the main entrance. Indeed, -a vestibule demanded by the architecture can be utilized as such a room, -and if it can also be made a show room for book rarities and curiosities -in glass cases, a museum for statues, busts and portraits, and a general -porter’s hall and information office, it will justify its existence and -relieve the working rooms in the library of many embarrassments. Here, -also, may be bestowed grand staircases and all cumbrous architectural -features that cannot be wholly barred out. - -Such very public rooms, as distinguished from what might be called -service waiting rooms like the librarian’s ante-rooms and the space -left before the delivery desk for the applicants who have sent in slips -and are waiting for their books—are better outside of the partitions of -the working library. The latest plans for the Brooklyn central library -provide, on a triangular lot, for an apex which seems to fill this need -and some architectural features, without seriously infringing on working -or service areas. - - -Stenography Rooms - -=Staff.= Besides the private typewriter of the librarian, there will be -others in large libraries for heads of departments (indeed, wherever -there used to be a clerk or secretary, there must now be a machine), and -a number in the catalog suite, ranging up into the tens or twenties, as -more or less books are being put through various processes. These all may -be called staff stenographers. - -Even in libraries of moderate size, where there is a possibility of -gifts or other growth which will require special cataloguing, it is wise -to leave room in the cataloguing suite for extra stenographers, when -suddenly wanted. - -=Public.= There is also needed in large libraries, provision in private -study rooms for readers or authors, and some special rooms for public -stenographers on call, ready for extra staff or readers’ demands for -copying, dictation, or anything legitimately connected with the use of -books. Such rooms are among those to be placed on mezzanine floors or in -a special wing or corridor. Like music rooms, they ought to be built with -sound-proof or sound deadening floors, walls and ceiling; for readers who -are not dictating are often and excusably sensitive about the clicking of -others. - - -Place for Catalog Cases - -This chapter covers the space to be allowed in rooms for the catalogs -themselves. - -Very large libraries require whole rooms for catalogs alone, usually one -room for the general card catalog and another for the Library of Congress -cards. - -In all but very large libraries, card catalogs for the staff and for -the public must be provided for in some way. They can be separate, but -the form most economical of space is the double-ender set into the wall -between cataloguer’s room and delivery department, with drawers which can -be pulled out from either end. The obvious inconvenience is that they may -be wanted at both ends at once. Notwithstanding this, they are much used, -to save space if not labor. - -A nice problem in planning is the placing of card-catalog cases not too -far from the delivery desk, where they will not interfere with other -uses, and where they will get ample light. The most usual way is to set -them against partition walls, with space in front for a narrow table to -which drawers can be moved and rested during use. - -Another convenient arrangement is to make a sort of floor case, a wide -table in the middle of the floor, with catalog cases back to back on top, -leaving a ledge on each side and at the ends, where the table projects. - -Stools are used with these rather than chairs, mainly because they take -up less room and are not used for long periods. - -The English books speak of other styles of catalogs, but we use no other -form except (rarely) different kinds of printed catalogs, which are kept -loose on tables or desks. - -As to floor space required for catalog cases, see that heading later on. -Placing them is a nice and critical question of planning. - -Note that a Library of Congress card-catalog room separate is called for -by the Brooklyn Public Library.[233] - - -Cataloguing Room - -In small libraries, cataloguing has to be done in the librarian’s rooms -or at the delivery desk. In larger libraries one large room or a suite -of rooms is needed, and requires careful planning by an experienced -librarian. Ample light is naturally the first requisite. North light is -most regular and less glary, but is somewhat cold and cheerless. Large -windows, or what is practically one window along one side of a room, the -windows running up from the level of the tables clear to the ceiling, are -best. The working tables (better single or double desks perpendicular -to the windows) should occupy the window side, with service tables -(trestles will do) in the next space. Then floor cases for bibliography -and books in transit, also perpendicular to the light, and wall cases -beyond with a ledge, will conveniently furnish the room. If, as usual, -the different processes of handling books are performed in this room, -not only cataloguing proper, but selection, ordering, accessioning, -shelf-listing, collation, labelling, numbering, and marking or covering, -must be foreseen, in due succession. A lift at one end from the packing -room should bring the books, to follow the order of work, over bins, or -tables, or desks, or shelves, leading either to the delivery desk or the -stack. One room is often not enough—a suite of rooms is required, perhaps -up and down stairs. (Do not be tempted to use circular stairs; they are -criminal; see under that head, p. 177.) See the John Hay Library plans, -for a central “stack,” so to speak, of such rooms, planned for speedy and -economical service.[234] - -For order of work, see Winsor,[235] and Bostwick[236] who enumerates -other processes. This suite is a cosmos in itself, for which no architect -unadvised could possibly arrange. - -Even with an expert librarian to advise, the local librarian and the -local corps of cataloguers ought to be consulted, and their methods and -tastes should be heeded. An irritating incidence of light, an awkward -stretch or carry to the shelves, a clumsy arrangement of desk-surfaces or -window seats, might disconcert the best of cataloguers, and so far spoil -the building. - -See view of the cataloguing room in the Library of Congress, L. C. Report -for 1901, p. 224. - - -Delivery Room - -This is the department, under our American system, which in all libraries -should be on the ground floor, and as short a distance as possible from -the front door. In small libraries, it should be the center of the ground -floor space, where that whole floor, and the top or foot of such stairs -as there are, can be supervised by one attendant. Miss Marvin[237] -locates it approximately as 12 feet (minimum) from the door, 16 to 20 -feet “to the rear shelves,” but this of course depends on the size of the -building. - -Oscar Bluemner[238] thinks that the counter, the catalog, and applicants -need not take up more than 10 × 15 feet in a small library. - -In somewhat larger libraries the need of central location holds. The -book shelves are generally behind the desk, one reading room (or two -sober-reading rooms) on one side, another (or two where a certain amount -of stir and noise may be expected) on the other. The space in front, from -desk to door, should be planned for most of the stir and necessary noise, -except that of open shelves. If there is a small vestibule separated from -the delivery room by a glass partition, drafts and dust will be shut out, -and a space allowed for the flutter of entrance and exit, leaving the -space from door to desk for book applicants, querists, passage to other -rooms, catalog case, bulletins, waiting, and such other uses as may be -assigned to it. - -Champneys[239] warns that the space here should be calculated for the -maximum use at any time of day or evening, not for an average. Of course, -so noisy a room cannot be reckoned on for any kind of reading, although -if large enough such guides as directories, railway time tables, local -maps, etc., might be used here to advantage. - -Such a delivery desk should not be put in a room intended for study or -quiet reading, unless perhaps in colleges, where stir may be expected as -classes come and go every hour; but even here the entrances and exits -should be put where the delivery desk stir and catalog use are on one and -the same side, leaving the centre and other sides for readers, to be as -undisturbed as possible. - -In large libraries this delivery room can have more and roomier -facilities, such as settees for those waiting for books. In the -Providence Public, there is an Information desk on one side, a -Registration desk on the other, near the front door. It should still be -on the ground floor and not far from the outside entrance. More people -flock here than elsewhere, and the less tramping through corridors they -do, the better for them, the readers, and for the cleanliness of the -premises. When other rooms or passages open out of the delivery room, a -platform slightly raised for the desk will aid supervision. - -=Light.= To get a sufficiently central position for delivery room -and strong enough light on desk and catalog, seems to be, judging by -inspection of libraries and plans, an especially difficult problem; but -it should not be insoluble to a clever librarian and a bright architect. - -The English plans do not help us much with ideas, for their system is -herein different from ours. “Fewer people go to the lending department -than to the reading room,” says Duff-Brown,[240] while with most of our -American libraries all readers get to these rooms through or past the -delivery room. And in a “barrier lending library,” as Champneys calls it, -the counter is much longer than we use, even if there is no “indicator” -to elongate it. - -As the size, location and relative connections of the delivery-room -largely determine the convenience of the whole building, the shape, -capacity and practicableness of the delivery desk determine the -excellence of this department. See p. 348. - -Here the practical and ingenious librarian has his best chance in -planning. - - -Janitor - -The janitor in any library has important functions. In the smallest he is -the only assistant, and can be of great service to the lone librarian in -service, supervision and in substitution when she is away. In a library -of any size he is housekeeper, not only assisting in handling books, but -running the heating and lighting systems, superintending or performing -all services of cleanliness, and often acting as special policeman in -preserving order. He deserves a room of his own, even if it be a simple -one in the basement. In large libraries he has a small residence suite, -and is always on the premises as day janitor and night watchman. See -Bostwick, p. 284, where he advises janitor’s private residence in all -libraries except very small ones. But are janitor’s families always -germane? I should say, only in very large libraries is it best to provide -a janitor’s residence suite in the building. But in most libraries he has -a home elsewhere, with only an office in the library. In this case he -needs for himself only a table, tool bench, chairs, a closet for clothes -and brooms, a box for tools, and a snug toilet room. - -=Packing room.= Winsor[241] assigns this room to the basement, “a large -hall, with raised platform in the center for superintendent, with -stalls about the walls for successive processes, with rails running -past them for book trucks.” But most of the processes he describes -are now prosecuted near the catalog room or suite. The packing room is -located in some convenient part of the basement, directly under the other -administration rooms, with which it has direct communication by tubes -and lifts. It should have a separate door to a carriageway, and in large -libraries can have a package platform and freight doors opening out of -it, for loading and unloading boxes of books. - -The uses assigned to this room are generally packing and unpacking, -central provisions for cleaning, light repairing of books and furniture, -laying out for binder. Its furniture can be scant and simple: work tables -or trestles against any free wall space, trucks, an adjacent closet or -two, good windows on one or two sides, for light on processes, some -shelves for laying out books in transit. - -=Cleaning.= Here is a good central place for the paraphernalia of these -operations, brushes, pails, cloths, and the like, not forgetting closets -for the clothes of the scrubwoman. - -See Bostwick on Cleaning.[242] - - -Binding and Printing - -=Bindery.= Every library has to have a lot of repairing and binding -done. Is it better to have your own plant on the premises or to contract -to have it done elsewhere? E. R. N. Matthews[243] says that out of -forty-seven English libraries he inquired of, twelve had binderies. He -endorses the idea, having installed one at a new branch for his own -system, in a separate building, with plant he enumerates, bought second -hand for £50. - -In small libraries it is easy to decide; nothing except simple repairing -by the janitor can be done at home. Whatever has to be done from time -to time can be sent out on contract. In view of the space taken up, the -bulky and noisy machinery, the cost and trouble of selecting and storing -stock, the danger of labor troubles and fires, and the bad odors of -glues, the ownership of a bindery would naturally be put off until it -can be proved to be a great economy in time and money. Champneys,[244] -following Duff-Brown,[245] says that “Binderies are not required except -in very large libraries.” I say from considerable business experience, -save yourself cost, risk and trouble, by not trying the experiment. - -If you must have a bindery, a good place for it is the basement, in or -next to the packing room, where books are being handled. Some authorities -suggest the attic, but it seems to me that the quiet and top light of the -upper floor make it too valuable for finer purposes, to be spared for -such “base mechanical use.” - -Every sizable library ought to have at least a bindery repair-room or -nook for repair work in the janitor’s or packing room, where one or two -skilled workmen or girls of your own staff can do light repairs, pasting -and the like. But this is the limit of work in the building wisdom -requires you to provide for. - -See M. W. Straight, “Repairing Books.”[246] - -See E. R. N. Matthews, “Library Binderies.”[247] - -See H. T. Coutts, “The Home Bindery.”[248] - -=Printery.= So with printing. Very large libraries may have a complete -outfit, but, as Bostwick says,[249] “a library of any size may well have -a small outfit for printing letter heads, envelopes, cards, pockets, book -plates, etc.” This may be in the same room as the bindery down below. -If to be installed for the first time, and the librarian has not had -personal experience, a practical binder and printer should be consulted -as to space, light and fittings required. - -Miss Marvin writes to me, “I have liked a suggestion made by Mr. Doyle, -architect of the Portland (Or.) Public Library. He feels it a mistake -to plan for all administrative work and storage of books not frequently -used, in the central library, built on expensive land with no space -to spare.... I have never known a public library practical enough to -build a warehouse on inexpensive land near the edge of a town for the -storage of books, or the receipt of books on which clerical work is to -be done before distribution to the branches.... These details for school -collections, traveling library collections, and other clerical work, -as well as binding, repair, etc., had just as well be removed from the -central library, and the space there used for reading rooms and necessary -offices.” - -[See Matthews’ mention of a central bindery in a branch in England.] - -This is worth considering, provided the need of removal is urgent. There -are administrative questions to be considered, however, besides cost of -land or construction; such as service, care, carriage, etc. - -The larger the building, and the more stories, the more opportunity there -is, by exercising economy of space and cleverness of arrangement, to find -room there for these distributing functions, which are easiest controlled -under central supervision and close to the books. - -One thing I would never do—consent to such removal until every -superfluous architectural area, in vestibules, corridors, staircases, -etc., had been eliminated, and the building reduced to its lowest -possible denomination for necessary central work. - - -Room for Service of Branches - -In large libraries, room must be provided for laying out, shipping and -receiving books for branches, deliveries, traveling libraries and all -other kinds of outside activities. How much space these may require may -be inferred from the fact that the Travelling Library office of the New -York Public Library has a stock of fifty thousand volumes and seventeen -employees. - -It should either have direct shipping doors, or should open into the -packing room, with good access to the shipping facilities there. - -Besides tables, desks and shelving for the general use of superintendent -and clerks, with corner for telephones to the branches, etc., and to -other departments of the main library, there will have to be bins for -such dispatch service. As the books come here from the stack, nearness to -it, or some form of mechanical connection with it, will save much time. -Here, as in so many other departments of every new large library, is -opportunity for individual planning. - - See Winsor, P. L., 1876, 470. - ” Bostwick, L. J., 1898, p. 14. - ” L. J., 1898, Conf. 98, 101. - ” Cole, U. S. Ed’l Rept., 1892-3, Vol. 1, p. 709. - ” Wilson, R. E. P. L., 1901, p. 275. - ” Duff-Brown, pp. 350-356. - ” Sutton, C. W., 6 L. A. R., 67. - - -Comfort Rooms - -=Rest and Lunch.= In England always, and oftener here than formerly, -even in small libraries, a room or rooms are provided for the relaxation -of the staff. “Especially for women, humanity and a wise economy prompt -comfortable rest rooms, as they are not as uniformly in robust health, -and are more subject to sudden indisposition.”—(_Bostwick._[250]) In -view of the good these can do, in refreshing attendants, and keeping -them in the building, as well as the fact that such rooms can be tucked -into space not really needed for anything else, and also because of the -moderate expense of fitting them up, it seems a great pity to cut them -out of plans, as I have known building committees to do from false ideas -of economy. A room for rest and lunching, a tiny “kitchenette” adjoining, -with gas stove, one room if you can for men, another for women; or in -smaller libraries a common room for a library mess, will do a deal toward -infusing an _esprit de corps_ into the whole staff. A timely cup of tea -will soothe the nerves and stimulate the jaded to renewed vigor. This is -so much a matter of housekeeping that the advice of the ladies of the -corps can wisely be taken as to equipment, including store closet. They -can be trusted to get everything needed into little space, at little cost. - -See article in _Public Libraries_[251] on “Comfort in a Library,” where -it is said a room 6×6 can be made to serve. - -=Wraps.= As far as clothes are concerned, the staff have got to be given -cleanly and satisfactory places to leave hats, coats, umbrellas and -overshoes during working hours. These should be in the basement, or some -place not so far through corridors as to have much tracking of mud. If -they can be afforded, ventilated wardrobe cupboards, with a shelf above -low enough to hold the prevalent style of ladies’ hats, a box below for -rubbers, and interval enough between for a long wrap or fur coat, should -be provided for each person; private cupboards for all private rooms; -staff cupboards in the staff rest room, each one with lock. - -For the public, a convenient umbrella stand (automatic locks will improve -it), and rubber pigeon-holes near the entrance will prevent dripping -around. There are various makeshifts—racks for hats under chairs, coat -rails behind chairs, or at the end of tables (see Tables, p. 344, and -Chairs, p. 346) or hat racks in passages, and the like. In the larger -libraries, where coat rooms become necessary, they can be slipped into -narrow rooms under staircases or in passages near the vestibule. - -“Every reading room should have hooks or trees for coats and hats, and -stands for umbrellas.”—_Eastman._ - -“In small libraries coat rooms should open from the delivery room, -overlooked from the desk.”—_Marvin._[252] - -=Lavatory.= Need of frequent wash bowls on all floors has been spoken of -elsewhere. A common lavatory for women and a separate one for men, open -both to public and staff, is a great convenience, and may render fewer -separate wash bowls necessary,—a desideratum as far as cost goes, for -plumbing is a great expense, and part of planning is to concentrate and -reduce to a minimum “stacks” of plumbing. For this reason water fixtures -on separate floors should be superimposed rather than scattered. - - -Sanitary Facilities - -These must be furnished separately for men and women of the staff, but -whether or not they need be provided for the public is a question both -here and in England. Miss Marvin[253] is positive that public toilet -rooms are a great nuisance, and should be omitted always, at all events -from the main floor. Burgoyne[254] reports opinion divided, but thinks -them advisable where a separate attendant can be afforded. Is it not -mainly a matter of size and location? Large libraries must provide them -for large throngs; libraries of medium size must offer some refuge for -serious readers who have to spend many hours over their books; small -local or branch libraries, whose users live not so far away, may omit -them. The trouble and expense are against them, convenience and health -are in their favor. If the park board or public health authorities will -provide them somewhere near, the problem is solved. Where they can be -avoided in small libraries, and where children throng, much trouble of -personal oversight will be saved. If they must be installed, here is -certainly a problem to be solved in convenience, separation, and casual -supervision of entrances and exits. - - -Vehicles - -Automobiles can be ranged at the curb in front of the library; they lock -or care for themselves. Hitching-posts in rural districts will tether -horses. Bicycles, not so much in evidence as they were once, may be left -in racks in front, or in some place provided for them in lobby, or inside -the rear entrance in the cellar. - -In a large library, with courtyard, or even without, an inclined approach -to the basement is possible. In St. Louis it runs from one street corner, -down along a side of the building, then turns into an open underground -entrance to the basement. Such a passageway takes from the street the -library’s vehicles for branch service, etc., and if there is space -inside, and the surrounding streets are narrow, it might well give safety -for visitor’s vehicles. - -Duff-Brown[255] thinks bicycles are best housed outside. Champneys[256] -says, “don’t allow them in corridors.” - -In busy thoroughfares of large cities, or, indeed, in small cities in -this age of street Juggernauts, provision may well be made for safe -ingress and egress for decrepit readers near the curbstones. Some -forethought, taken by architect in conjunction with street-car officials, -would land many users in the new building without much of the flurry and -danger which often hovers over the approaches. - - -PART II - -BOOK STORAGE - -The several rooms will be treated separately, also different methods of -shelving. The phrase “book rooms” is not used herein as in England, where -book store or book room means only book storage, as distinguished from -staff rooms and reading rooms, but will include all kinds of shelving, -whether used for book storage only or combined with handling and reading. - -In an article on Book-storage by H. Woodbine in a recent number of -The Library Association Record,[257] he states the factors of past -development as,— - - 1. Economy of space. - 2. Economy of cost. - 3. Expansibility. - 4. Adjustability. - 5. Safety from fire. - 6. Protection of books (from pests, dirt, damp, etc.) - 7. Convenience in service. - -It is well to bear all these in mind when planning any library, though -I should put the last first, and add cleanliness. They would serve as -comprehensive tests of all kinds of shelving, wooden or metal; wall, -floor, or stack. They are such important details in library service that -I will take up the different forms of shelving in considerable detail. - - -Shelving, Generally - -General rules in shelving are: (1) No book should be above reach of hand -from floor. This means about 6½ feet (less in children’s rooms) or 7½ -feet to cornice, or top of top space. Don’t use steps or ladders, they -are obstructive and troublesome to use. - -(2) Uprights should not be more than three feet apart, to avoid sagging, -and weight in handling. Somewhat less is sometimes advised, never more. - -(3) All shelves should be of the same measurements and interchangeable, -for obvious reasons, throughout the library. Unadvised architects are -apt to fill nooks and spaces with shelving to suit. This may not be so -objectionable in fixed shelving, but is fatal with movable shelves. - -(4) Shelving should be movable as well as adjustable. Private libraries -and very small libraries can get along for a while with fixed shelving, -but when books of different sizes accumulate, and close classification is -adopted, movable shelving is necessary. - -(5) Edges and corners of shelves and supports should be rounded. If hands -or books strike sharp edges roughly, they suffer. - -(6) There should be no projections to catch clothing. Watch this, -especially in stacks. - -(7) In shelving or supports, do not leave projections to catch dust. This -is often a fault of carved end-uprights. - -(8) Have both upper and lower shelves accessible and well lighted -for easy inspection. Wherever there is ample room, use of only the -breast-high shelves is more convenient both for inspection and for -handling. - -(9) The old-fashioned ledge is not needed, except in a few instances. It -unnecessarily widens the aisle above, interfering with close storage. -Wide books can be stored elsewhere; and space to lay books down in -handling can be provided near by. - -(10) The average dimensions of shelves[258] are well settled by custom; -_e.g._, _Length_ (as above), not over three feet; _Depth_, eight inches, -except for special sizes of books (see later); _Thickness_; for wooden -shelves, ⅞ inch finished, (1 inch stuff, planed); _Interval_, Wood or -metal 10 inches (11 inches top to top of wooden shelves) for octavos and -duodecimos, though one advantage of movable shelves is the possibility of -variation if desired anywhere. - -(11) No doors of any kind are used in modern library bookcases, except -where dust is to be excluded from delicate books, or thieves are to be -excluded from rare books. Doors are an impediment to use. - -=Shelf-bases.= To save books in sweeping, a four-inch solid base is -usually provided in all lands of shelving. In unusually high shelves, -this base projects as a step, but it is unsightly thus, and just so much -as it projects it narrows the aisles and promotes stumbling. - -See _Fletcher_, Public Libraries.[259] - -=Fixed or Movable.= As stated above, fixed shelving is somewhat cheaper -and more easily made, and will serve well in very small libraries. In -setting up movable shelving a row of shallow holes an inch apart is bored -an inch from the front and from the rear edge of the inside uprights. -To support the shelves, projecting pegs of various kinds are inserted -in these holes at any desired intervals. There are several patents, the -most popular one being a metallic pin with shoulder, which may be turned -over for slight alteration of interval. Plain picture screw-eyes, with -the eyes turned flat, are favorites in some libraries, and are cheap. -Accuracy is necessary in boring the holes, and experiments are advisable -as to the fit and steadiness of the pins, so that the shelves will not be -liable to tip or fall. - -=Wood or Metal.= In small libraries there is no need at all of metallic -cases or shelving and it is absurdly wasteful to buy them too soon. -Wooden shelving is cheaper, easier put up by local builders, and though -it may occupy a trifle more space, is serviceable and strong enough until -superimposed stories of shelving become necessary. Even two stories of -wood can be easily managed. If you want more than two stories to use as a -stack, you must have iron or steel. There are, of course, many advantages -in metal when you have to come to it, though it is more costly. It saves -a certain amount of space; it does not obstruct light or ventilation so -much as thicker material; it is more fireproof; shelves are more easily -moved. - -Metal in stacks is universal in larger libraries in America, so is -wood in small libraries. In England wood seems much more used in large -libraries than with us. - -Hard wood is not necessary for shelving, the cheaper kinds of soft wood -will do, and are easier set. No backing is necessary in any form of book -case, except as a brace, or for appearance, or against a brick or stone -wall. - -“Use no paint, but varnish and rub thoroughly.”—_Poole._[260] - -“Few village libraries need spend money for steel shelving. It costs -twice as much as oak; four or five times as much as some woods. Wooden -cases are movable, steel not; with wood you can shift and add. You would -not prefer steel in your home.... For libraries of less than 30,000 -volumes, wood is better.”—_Eastman._[261] - -In planning small buildings do not let manufacturers lead you into -the expense of putting in metallic shelving or fixtures. Wood answers -every need as well, and often better, and is much cheaper. Miss Marvin -says,[262] “No stack should be included in a building costing under -$20,000.” I should put the limit higher, and say “No metallic stack -is either necessary or desirable while wooden wall shelving and floor -shelving will hold the books in the library.” - -=Ledges.= In the early wooden shelving for libraries, ledges, “counter -ledges,” so called from their being the height of an ordinary “counter,” -were considered essential. Dewey[263] says: “These have a double use. -They give a greatly needed shelf on which readers may lay books for -consultation or while reaching others, and for the pages in getting and -putting back books.” - -These ledges do not appear so much now in floor-cases or stacks. They -still survive, however, in wall-shelving. - -But they served serious needs in handling books and have been seriously -missed since they disappeared from use. See an article on a proposed -substitute in stacks, under the title “Carrel,” p. 286, later. This -feature might also be used with wooden floor-cases when lighted by “true -stack windows.” - -=Labels=, =Pins=, see articles in Library Notes.[264] - -=Head-room.= It is best not to build floor-shelving, even in low rooms, -quite up to the ceiling, but to leave some room over the tops of the -books on the top shelf for free ventilation. But Dewey said at the 1887 -Conference, “Why not leave it out—use all space for shelving, with -artificial ventilation?” This might apply to the head-room usually left -at the top of stack rooms. But how about heat? And in most libraries -there is no effective artificial ventilation or forced draft. And in many -rooms outside the stack, it will not be necessary to shelve quite up to -the roof. - -=Shelves High or Low.= The rule is, as stated, 7½ feet in height. In -many old libraries, and in a few newer ones, higher cases are used, in -order not to waste upper space in a high room, wherever this space is -not needed for ventilation or diffused light. This is very unfortunate -in inspecting or handling the books. To overcome the difficulty of -seeing and getting at the highest shelves, various forms of steps or -step ladders, or base steps and high handles on the uprights are in use -which can be investigated and adopted when occasion requires, as it never -should arise in a new building. If such shelving is inherited, or must be -used, it would be best to use these shelves, too high to reach by hand, -for storing sets of books or magazines rarely wanted. Or a gallery can be -built half way up to avoid the awkward use of ladders. - -As books to be inspected are best nearly opposite the eye of a reader -standing or sitting, live books would better not be stored on lower -shelves in any open-access cases. These shelves nearest the floor might -be used, therefore, for similar sets not often needed. - -Miss Marvin[265] advises uniform height for wall-shelving all over the -building. - -Low bookcases, “dwarf bookcases,” both in wall-shelving or floor cases, -are often used, for different reasons, especially to serve as partitions, -and have not the disadvantages of cases too high. In floor-cases, the top -can be used as a convenient ledge. In this form, low cases can be set -anywhere on the floor without seriously obstructing light, ventilation, -or supervision, and low cases can be used against the wall when high-set -windows are needed to throw light further across a room. - -=Unusual Shapes or Sizes of Books.= Minimos, (sizes under the ordinary -duodecimos) are so unusual that they can be shelved at the ordinary -intervals; and if a set or lot of such small books come together, movable -shelves can be closed together, without much waste of depth (or by -doubling back, with no waste). - -Folios and quartos occur in all libraries, in the smallest as books of -reference, like dictionaries and atlases; in larger libraries they may -come anywhere. Formerly, the lower shelves in all cases were made wider, -with a ledge above, but this made the aisles so much wider than was -necessary for shoulder room above, that ledges are not now much used in -floor-shelving or stacks. Instead, special shelving is provided not far -off on each floor, and slips or dummies put on the shelves to indicate -where the larger volumes ought to come in the regular classification, and -where they can be found when wanted. - -This special shelving is often put along the walls, but in late stacks -I have found it convenient at both ends of each story. The necessary -ledge can be widened without much sacrifice of space, into a shelf at -table height, which can be put to many purposes, part of it at one end -being cut into to give room for the stack stairs, which usually rob -either books or users of more room elsewhere. In other rooms, with -wooden shelving, there is almost always a convenient recess or end, -where quarto and folio shelving can be put without crowding the other -cases. Indeed, when designing a library building, one thing to watch for -is, where such shelving can be stowed away near at hand, with the most -economy of space. In floor-cases, wooden or metal, occasional large books -can be laid across two adjoining shelves. - -As to dimensions, Mr. Poole’s recommendations in 1876[266] still hold -good: a ledge about 34 inches high, with two shelves below, 18 and 16 -inches high for folios, 16 inches deep, and as many shelves as the case -will allow above, 12 inches high and 10½ inches deep. Burgoyne says,[267] -21 inches high for folios, 13 high for quartos. These are extreme. Dewey -recommends 12 × 10 inches for quartos; for folios just double octavo -measurement; large folios to be laid on their sides.[268] - -If movable shelving is installed, it will be possible to shelve the -exceptional books upright or flat, as their size and character requires. - -Burgoyne[269] advises padding flat folio shelves. The British Museum uses -cowhide; other libraries, canton flannel (bad) with falls. - -Elephant folios will require special roller shelves. - - -Shelves in Reading Rooms - -“The books most used should be stored around the walls of the -reading-rooms.”—(_Miss Marvin._[270]) This has been a common custom, -but Mr. Dana has suggested that such shelving is out of place in -reading-rooms. So H. T. Hare, in 8 The Lib. Asso. Record:[271] “The -placing of books around the walls wastes floor space otherwise available -for readers.” In this opinion I concur,[272] for the double reason that -it bars out just so many readers, and also it necessitates movement -which interferes with serious reading. As to the former objection, -take a room 30 × 40 with a perimeter of 140 feet, less say 10 feet for -doors, 130 feet net: If this is shelved all around, the shelving with -the usual ledge, and the three feet space in front of it needed for -access, inspection and passing, four feet in all, will take up 456 square -feet, out of a total area of 1200, nearly two-fifths. Without the wall -shelving, the room would hold tables for that many more readers—the use -for which it is intended. As to the latter consideration, to get at the -books every attendant fetching or returning or cleaning them, every -reader consulting them, has to pass before or beside or close back of -some other reader who is trying to abstract himself at a desk. If stored -somewhere else in floor shelving or in a stack close by, the books would -not take up more space, would be more accessible, and less in the way. - -If a serious reading room can open directly into an open-shelf floor of a -stack, no wall-shelving will be necessary. - -The second objection would, of course, not apply so much to rooms for -light reading where more or less motion and noise are expected, and less -serious study is usual. - -=Class and Study Rooms.= Here wall-shelving for reference books -permanently or class books temporarily required, and sometimes floor -shelving also, or a combination of wall-shelving with occasional -projecting cases, like shallow alcoves, opposite good light, will be -required. The purpose of each room defines its needs in arrangement and -shelving, as also in staff-rooms and all special rooms. In libraries of -sufficient size, each such room should have telephone connection with the -staff, and if possible separate lifts or corridor railway service. - - -Wall-Shelving - -The earliest book storage was in cupboards or alcoves, the latest is in -floor cases, but the persistent form between and even now is that of -shelving around the walls of rooms. Mr. Dana and I object to it around -reading rooms, but it now prevails, and perhaps it will still prevail -even there. Certainly it will always be serviceable in most of the -rooms of a small or large library. It was formerly continued even in -combination with floor-cases or stacks, but it is vanishing from such -book rooms to maintain its position sturdily wherever floors are not for -shelves, but for tables. - -In this form, the old-fashioned shelf-ledge survives, with folio or -quarto shelving, or sometimes cupboards or bins below, and narrower -octavo shelving above. The ledge is found serviceable in temporary -examination of books and for resting them in transit. - - “Every available foot of wall space should be utilized - for shelving, between the windows and under the - windows.”—_Marvin._[273] [But not unless light comes from the - other side. See below. And where there is steam heat, the space - under the windows is best for radiators.] - -Wall-shelving ought always to be opposite and not next to windows, -because direct light in the eyes blinds the reader so that he cannot -distinguish the books. But if light comes from both sides of the room, -both sides can have wall cases. - -=Closed Cases.= In private libraries and in some rare book collections in -public libraries, bookcases have locked sliding doors, either glazed or -with strong wire mesh (for ventilation), too small a mesh to slip books -through. - -It is better to back wall-shelving with wood whenever placed against -brick or stone walls, to protect the books from damp and stain. - -I have known buildings where the architect put a dado of expensive wood -around rooms where wall-shelving was to be put up at once or was sure to -come soon. This was, of course, a willful waste, as plain sheathing, to -serve as a back for the shelving, would have been far better. - - -Floor-Cases - -Floor-cases, as we use them, first appeared apparently in Leyden about -A.D. 1600.[274] Their use in America can be traced to the pressure for -space in the old libraries, just before the birth of the stack, which is -only floor-cases built up into stories. As the term “floor-case” is used, -it covers all bookcases set out from the wall across the floors, usually -in parallel rows perpendicular to the windows, but sometimes radial or -irregular. The cases are always double, back to back, their dimensions in -each front being just those of wall-cases. The backs are usually open for -light and ventilation, but are sometimes wired or wainscoted with wood. -If backs are not used in floor-cases, some bracing is needed to make them -rigid. The aisles between vary in width from three feet for service to -six feet for open access, though service is possible in narrower spaces -than three feet, and open access, with good light, does not absolutely -require six. It is recommended by the authorities that cases should not -exceed fifteen feet in length. Whenever longer rows are wanted, cross -aisles at about that interval should interrupt, so that an attendant or -reader should not have to walk too far if he needs to get quickly to the -other side of a case. - - -Radial Cases - -“In small libraries and branches, supervision is ensured by -placing floor-cases as radii of a semi-circle whose centre is the -desk.”—_Bostwick._[275] - -Duff-Brown[276] says that this method of shelving secures oversight and -ease of working. - -The advantages and disadvantages of this arrangement are well summed up -by Eastman,[277] who thinks it of doubtful value. - -In small libraries, when set symmetrically in a true semi-circle, radial -or concentric cases certainly have a pleasing effect. The building costs -more, either in semi-circular or octagonal form, than in rectangular -(more in stone or brick than in wood), and there is certainly waste of -space in the widening of the wedge-shaped intervals, which, however, can -be partially utilized by tables or short intervening floor-cases at their -widest part. - -This radial shelving has invariably, I believe, been built on the rear -of the building. In many lots it has occurred to me that putting it -in front, or on one side toward a street, could be made an agreeable -feature, and would do more than any other thing could do toward -attracting passers-by, and thus “advertising” the library far more -effectively than many publicity schemes recently suggested. - -As to supervision, I have seen in a recent discussion the reminder that -one person blocks the narrow end toward the desk, and effectively hides -disorder, mutilation, or theft beyond. - -Sometimes the projection from the building is rectangular, and the -shelving concentric, an arrangement likely to cast shadows. In some -American libraries long rows of slanting floor-cases, not true radii, -point toward the desk. So good a librarian as Mr. Wellman of Springfield, -has adopted this arrangement in a large rectangular room. See also the -Law Library at Rochester, N. Y. But does not this arrangement block -light rather than facilitate its penetration into the room to the lowest -shelves? I should doubt whether the advantage in supervision would -counterbalance this interference and the waste of space. Champneys[278] -(an architect) thinks there may be danger of “overestimating police -methods.” It seems to me that in sizeable rectangular rooms, supervised -entrance and exit at the desk, with rectangular arrangement of the -shelves either perpendicular to the deskline or even athwart the room, -thus trusting the public, would be better. - -In small libraries, as in branches, this arrangement is worth -considering, but should not be adopted, it seems to me, without -very careful balancing of arguments _pro_ and _con_. Economy in -construction and space and difficulties in enlargement are against; many -considerations of cheerfulness and usefulness are in its favor. Where the -library is so small, however, that only three or four floor-cases will -hold all its stock of books, these in a rectangular projection back of -the desk, will give most of the effect of the radial form, rather cheaper. - -Librarians who have operated both forms could give points to any one in -doubt, and many floor plans, English as well as American, with many -interior views, are accessible to show different arrangements. - -If adopted, it seems to me that the semi-circular plan with true radii, -is better than the octagonal or rectangular walls, with obliquely placed -floor cases. These may be arranged for good supervision, but their slant -disturbs one’s sense of symmetry. Besides, the basement beneath may be -devoted to a class or lecture room, for which such a semi-circular shape -gives good light and cheerful effect. - -The semi-circular plan has been adopted for alcove rooms in many places, -such as the Library of Parliament at Ottawa, Princeton University, and so -on, but these do not have radiating cases and need not be discussed here. - - -Shelf Capacity - -To calculate shelf capacity, it has been usual to take ten volumes to -a running foot, a figure which has been verified in some libraries. -But books vary in thickness in different kinds of literature, and the -exigencies of growth require gaps to be left in closely-classified -libraries, at the end of each subject. These facts have tended to vary -estimates, which do not now agree. In “Library Rooms and Building,” I -said,[279] “For these reasons, it is prudent to calculate about eight -volumes to a foot for octavos and under, and still less, say five volumes -to the foot, for reference books, law books, medical books, and other -bulky literature.” I have seen no reason since to change these figures -for estimates, though planners should bear in mind the different classes -and sizes of books to be stored in each room or on each case. - -The English authorities still set the average number of volumes to a -linear shelf foot rather higher, eight and a half to nine and a half for -lending libraries or fiction shelves. See also, “Stack Capacity.” - - -The Poole Plan - -This seems to be the best place to allude to the scheme which Dr. Poole -proposed as an alternative of the stack. As Fletcher says, the principal -objection to the stack plan was as to opportunities for readers to get at -the books on the shelves. To place readers and books in close contact, -Dr. Poole proposed dividing a building mainly into large rooms, in each -of which readers should have tables near the windows, while opposite the -windows the inner portion of the room should have floor-cases filled with -some special class of books. He got the chance to embody this idea in -the building of the Newberry Library of Chicago. As far as I know this -plan has not been adopted elsewhere as a whole, but every large library -since built has included rooms arranged more or less on this plan, which -is indeed the idea of the department library in a college; or special -rooms, such as Art and Patents, in a public library. So far as Dr. Poole -advocated his plan he furthered library efficiency and should deserve -credit and remembrance. - -“In the Providence Public Library, for instance, two-fifths of the books -are shelved outside of the stack.”—_Foster._[280] - -But the stack plan has “won out” as a system, and has established itself -as a factor in modern American library building. Further changes, -developments and improvements are doubtless coming, but so far as -administration and architecture are concerned, the stack must be reckoned -as the distinctive difference between libraries and other buildings. - -See description and criticism of the Poole plan, with vindication of the -stack system, in B. R. Green’s article in the Library Journal.[281] - -Dr. Poole was a sturdy fighter in his day, but he was an excellent, -practical librarian. If he had lived to see the stack as now improved, -and had also seen its combination with the department library or special -library in large buildings, I think he would have conceded the merits of -the new system. - - -Stacks - -=Generally.= These have been adopted in this country, in nearly all -libraries which have got beyond the size where floor cases will serve. -They come into use with us much earlier in the growth of a library than -in England, where they seem not so much in favor. - -The notion of the stack was first suggested by the modern revival in -America, about 1850, of the floor-case system, exemplified two hundred -years before in the Leyden University Library. The first modern mention -of this system I can find is Winsor’s description (1876)[282] of the -arrangement of his new Roxbury branch of the Boston Public Library. In -his description of the floor-cases, then only floor-cases, he suggested -the idea of providing for growth another story of superincumbent cases, -apparently of wood, with “dumb-waiters,” and “spiral stairs.” In 1877, -Winsor outlined plans for a similar shelving of several stories with iron -framework and iron floors.[283] About this time (Winsor left the Boston -Public Library and went to Harvard as librarian in 1877), the first -metallic stack (with wooden shelves) was developed and installed in the -addition to the Harvard library building. The idea seems due to Winsor, -the practical embodiment of it in full stack form to the architects -Ware and Van Brunt. The latter described it soon after in the Library -Journal,[284] saying, “I am in part responsible for it.” - -This pregnant idea, which, as developed, has done more to change library -administration and library architecture than any other device, was -evidently born in the brains of a librarian as a result of his thought -and experiments, and developed into practicability by good architects, as -all great problems of library building should be worked out. The original -stack contained all essential ideas, but great improvements in details -have since then been effected by librarians, architects, and constructors. - -Stacks were at first stoutly opposed by many librarians. As described -by Fletcher,[285] “The stack, as usually built, consists of a series of -iron bookcases [_floor cases_] running from bottom to top of a high room -divided at intervals of about seven feet [7½] by light [_iron_] openwork -or glass floors [_decks_]. The stack undoubtedly offers the most compact -storage of books with great ease of access to every part.” He then -enumerates the objections to the stack, the principal of which he thinks -is, “little or no provision can be made for the access of readers to the -shelves, the idea of the stack being that of a place to keep the books -when not in use.” - -Since the first stack was installed at Harvard, remarkably serviceable -even then as a new idea, some of our most inventive genius has been -constantly at work in trying to perfect the advantages of the system, -and overcome its acknowledged defects. Construction, ventilation, -heating, lighting, communications, ease of operation, have been gradually -improved, and recently Dr. Poole’s and Mr. Fletcher’s principal -objection, difficulty of use by readers, has been so greatly overcome -that a later chapter has been devoted to this subject. There are several -good patent stacks in the market, which deserve study and a chance to -submit bids in every new building project, large or small. - -The best method of planning is for the librarian to calculate how many -volumes he will have to provide for, and how large a stack he needs -(floor area, and number of “decks”); to lay out, with the assistance -of the architect, a floor plan for one story, with the number and -width of gangways he wants, and a specification of stairways, lifts, -folio-shelving, and other peculiarities. - -It is better not to wait for working drawings and specifications for -main building, or even for the stack shell (or building), but to ask -for two bids for a stack of size described, one for the cheapest form -and material each maker can supply, and another for the best form he -would recommend, with his cheapest price for that. This alternative -is suggested, because each make claims certain advantages over the -other, which might overbalance a difference in price. The invitation -to bid should reserve the right “to reject any bid for cause,” and -the final decision should be reserved for the building committee, -under recommendation of librarian and architect. The considerations -for determination can be: cost, strength, lightness, compactness, -adjustability, cleanliness (including lack of projections to catch dust); -convenience of stairs, lifts, floors; details of heating and lighting; -and pleasing design. - -After the bid has been assigned, and before the makers have begun on -construction, I advise calling their expert into consultation, and asking -him if he can suggest any change or improvement in any point which will -increase the usefulness of the stack, without increasing its cost. There -is such a keen competition between stack builders, that any of them would -welcome such a conference, in the hope of getting ideas from librarian or -architect which might help him improve his patent. - -The stack thus bid for is to be self-supporting, deriving its solidity -from its own uprights, without depending in any degree on the shell, with -which the architect will only cover it and protect it from the weather. - -=Location.= A stack may be installed inside the building; for instance, -all along the rear,[286] or side or front. A small stack is often a -feature of a large department room. But generally it occupies an ell or -wing of the building, of light construction, projecting from the rear, or -from one side. - -Where the building must face a noisy street there seems to be no reason -why the stack, rather than reading rooms, should not be located there. -Why could it not be designed, even if “true stack windows” would make it -look like an organ front, as a distinctive architectural feature? - -“The stack may be as refreshing a problem for the hard-witted architect -to struggle with as he is liable to meet. It may be that the reading -rooms will be within, shut off from every noise, and the stack arranged -along the exterior.”—_Russell Sturgis._[287] - -The reading room is now often put just over the stack, as a top-story, -separated from it by a solid floor, but connected with it by service -tubes, telephones and lifts. But in colleges, is it not better to use -such a location for seminar rooms, and in many libraries could it not be -used as part of an exhibition and special library or special study floor? - -=The Stack Shell.= That is to say, the addition in which the stack -is housed. As has been said, it usually projects from the rear (but -sometimes from the side) of the main building, as an ell or wing. It -can be of lighter, simpler and plainer construction than the rest, for -it needs no other strength than is necessary to support its own walls -and roof. Indeed, it has not yet been the victim of architectural -ostentation. On the exterior, true stack windows usually run up and down -the whole height, although they may be interrupted by cross sections at -the level of the floors or decks, or rather just above them. - -From recent experiments I have made in a stack, I am led to think that -here, as elsewhere, top light from windows is ten times more valuable for -penetration than bottom light, hence such a cross-section of wall, about -a foot wide, if it has any binding power, strengthens the wall, gives -space inside for heating pipes, or looks better, would not abstract any -illumination from the interior. Perhaps, however, the piers do not need -such binding. That is a question for the architect, and depends largely -on their construction. If they are re-enforced by iron or steel T-beams, -the piers need not be massive or be strengthened otherwise. - -Some authorities (Champneys,[288] for instance) recommend solid floors -every three decks, as guard against spread of fire, but this extra -expense, not needed for support, seems to me unnecessary as protection. - -The material of stacks must be iron, or better, steel, to support so much -weight. The construction, indeed, is much like that of a “sky scraper,” -whose steel frame stands alone, without help from the walls. - -=Use by Readers.= It does not seem either possible or desirable to plan -for continuous use of any space in stacks by readers. The temperature -both in summer and winter is usually not so equable as in other rooms. -The main object of the stack, which is book storage, is just so much -frustrated by surrender of shelf space to readers. But there is much -inconvenience in excluding them entirely. - -It is a hindrance to investigation to have to make inquiries, or -selections, through the medium of an application at a desk. A large -number of serious readers want to glance at all the books bearing on the -point they are investigating, often to “taste” books by dipping into them -here and there; and to make choice directly from the shelves, of books -they want to examine more thoroughly or copy from, to be carried to a -public or private reading room and used there undisturbed at leisure. -They want free access to the stack for ten minutes only at a time, but -they want it badly. See Fletcher.[289] - -“It is fortunate for those who have the use of a library if they -can be admitted to the shelves and select their books by actual -examination.”—_Cutter._[290] - -For this, several devices have been used. One is to leave the space in -stacks next to windows for tables and chairs, to be used by readers. “Or -alcoves on one side, as in Iowa College.”—(_Marvin._[291]) A variation -of this takes the form of “cubicles,” little glassed-in rooms next the -windows, as in the new Harvard Law School stack, or as proposed for the -Harvard University Library. But before using this form generally, it -would be better to calculate, first, how much space this will abstract -from the storage capacity of the stack; second, how much it affects the -penetration of daylight into the stack; third, how often any one reader -will want to use any one section of the library so long as to make this -arrangement worth while; fifth, the expense of construction and provision -of equivalent stack room elsewhere; and sixth, the problems of heating -and ventilation, for readers who require reading-room conditions. - -Another favorite device is to shorten the outer ends of ranges of -shelves, say by one three-foot section, in every other case on every -floor, where a tiny desk can be set into the range, with a chair or stool -underneath for the use of a reader. This furnishes room for reading but -_pro tanto_ less space for books. - -=Open Access Stacks.= Can wider aisles be left in stacks so that readers -may stand well back or stoop to inspect books, and pass each other -easily? Yes, stack cases five feet “on centres” will allow fairly free -movement, as this means 3-feet-6-inch or even 3-feet-8-inch aisles. But -no such width could well be allowed as is called for with open-access -floor cases, _i.e._, six feet clear between. The present methods of stack -construction would not apparently lend themselves well to wide spaces on -the ground floor and narrow spaces above, because the uprights would not -directly support each other. A building might have, indeed, two or more -different stacks, one open access for readers, the other close storage -for books, but this seems rather wasteful. Is there no way to provide, -in a stack which will give the maximum storage, some facility for such -inspection and handling as is needed both for staff and readers? - -=A Suggestion.= In reading “Clark’s Use of Books,” I came across an old -expedient of mediæval days which will give a good name for the device -I had already thought of. (See next section.) His quotation[292] is as -follows:— - -“In the north Syde, the Cloister was all fynely glazed. And in every -wyndowe iii Pewes or Carrels, where every one of the old Monks had his -carrell, severall by himselfe, and there studied upon there books. From -one stanchell of a window to another, and in every one was a deske to -lye their bookes on.” “These were devices to provide a certain amount of -privacy for literary work.”[293] - -=Carrels.= While thinking of this conflict between the desired use by -readers and the close storage which is the proper use of a stack, I -tried to find some wasted space which might serve the one use without -infringing upon the other. While searching I noticed that window ledges -were thus wasted. Look through Koch’s floor plans,[294] or any others, -and you will notice that window frames, usually set midway between the -outer and inner surfaces of the wall, were sometimes set flush with -the inner surface, thus leaving outside a window “stool” nearly the -full width of the wall. But why leave it outside where it would be only -useful for pigeon-roosts or flower-boxes, neither strictly necessary? -Why not set the window-frame flush with the outer wall and so leave the -whole ledge inside, both sill and stool? In the Salem Public Library -stack, as the architect saw no structural reason against it, this has -been tried. In each stack window on every floor a thin shelf has been -run across, table high. The setting back allows this shelf to be twelve -inches deep and three feet long without projecting into the aisle, and -without materially interfering with light. Set a stool near and here is -provision, close to the books, and without cutting into the stack, for -just as many choosers of books as there are windows on each floor. When -no readers need them, here is a ledge for attendants to use in assembling -or dispersing books. - -This device does not suit permanent reading, for which the stack is -not intended,—but why does it not perfectly meet the needs of casual -inspection, and choice? - -It has been gradually tried out. In the John Hay Memorial Library at -Brown, rather narrow window-shelves were tried; then wider sloping desks -at the Episcopal Theological School; and recently, the wider Salem -carrels, where the windows are set quite flush with the exterior of the -piers. - -There is still an opportunity for experiment and development. Is such a -shelf better, fixed or hinged? What would be the simplest form of hinging -and fastening? Is it better, in view of its temporary and intermittent -use, to have it at desk height, for a standee? How thin can it be, and -of what wood, cheapest and least liable to splitting? Might not metal -shelves, furnished with the stack, be better, and about as cheap? - -As finally improved with these carrels we could bring the whole stack -back to the narrowest intervals consistent with moving books, and thus -avoid resort to underground stacks and sliding cases, until much later. - -[Webster’s International Dictionary gives only the spelling “carol,” but -the old records call it “carrell.”] - -At Durham, the carrels were 2 feet 9 inches wide. At Gloucester there -were twenty carrels, each 4 feet wide, 6 feet 9 inches high, and 19 -inches deep.[295] - -The modern Salem Public Library carrel is wider than the one at Durham, -and about as high and deep as those at Gloucester Cathedral. - -=Stack Details.= _Dark Interiors_ are discussed elsewhere; having the -library built around a stack, to be lighted by electricity, open to -daylight only by way of the roof, and opening to outer corridors or -rooms on each floor. This is mainly an architectural problem, though its -administrative aspects would have to be considered by the librarian. - -_Height._ The height of each stack floor is generally set at seven feet -to seven and a half. I favor seven and a half, of the two, so that a tall -man need not stoop under the deck beams and electric bulbs. In order -to get the ground floor of building and stack coterminous, the lower -story of the stack must correspond with that of the building, which is -not usually higher than ten feet. As it is most convenient to have the -basement floors of stack and building also coterminous, the unusual -height, for this case only, may be accepted, and the inconveniently high -shelves used for some kind of slow or dead books. - -It is usual to leave several feet above the top shelves, just under the -roof, for ventilation. - -_“Broken” floors_ are used in some libraries, the Massachusetts State -Library, for instance; one stack floor being three and one-half -feet higher and the next one three and one-half feet lower than the -corresponding building floor, on the idea that it is easier to go up or -down half a flight than a whole flight, for anyone wanting to get books. -But isn’t the average the same? In this form, the very great convenience -of moving books by trucks is sacrificed, so that the almost universal -custom is to have the ground floor, and every second floor above, level -in the stack with floors in the building, thus fixing the height of the -latter at fourteen or fifteen feet, except the top floor, which is free, -and the basement, usually determined by other exigencies. - -The material used for “decks” may be openwork iron, marble, or more -usually translucent ground glass. - -The floor of the stack as well as of the building basement, is generally -cemented, with special provisions for excluding dampness. - -_Passages._ Those running lengthwise may be called gangways, those across -between cases, aisles. The number of gangways varies with the size and -use of the stack. Although it might be built without a center gangway, -and have one on each side, or only on one side—it would then be a very -narrow stack—the usual construction is to have a gangway about four -feet wide down the center, and one of less width (just enough to allow -passing around, say two feet,) at each outer end. But if it is desired -to have very close packing, these side gangways may not be necessary. In -building the new Salem stack, Mr. Jones decided that he could so run the -classification of the books from the center around back to the center, in -every aisle, that there would be little need of passing around the outer -ends, and he could omit them and so gain that much more for books. - -The center gangway may be any width desired, but should of course be wide -enough to serve as thoroughfare for men, book-trucks, and boxes. Although -four feet seems the average width, it varies from three feet to six feet -in existing libraries. Good, large windows on each floor should light -gangways at the far end. - -The length of aisles varies with the width of the stack building, though -limited by the belief that no bookcase should be more than 15 or 18 feet -long, which requires other gangways at that interval. The width of the -aisles has varied. The original Harvard width, 2 feet 4 inches, appears -to be the very narrowest which will allow passage of two persons, or -stooping to the lower shelves; 2 feet 8 inches is very common; 3 feet -is so roomy that the stack becomes convenient for limited open-access; -while 5 feet “on centers” (3′ 6″ or 8″ aisle) is the maximum in stacks at -present. - -Many stacks have wide intervals at the sides of the “deck” in each -aisle—so wide as to have to be wired to prevent books falling -through—“for ventilation, diffusion of light, and communication,” but -such wide spaces are not needed for light or ventilation, and are much -handier for dropping pencils than for passing books, so that I prefer -wider decks with small rims for protection, and much narrower spaces -along the cases. - -_Stairs._ Stack stairs need not be wide, for they are so short that two -people never need to pass. Two feet wide is enough. When first adopted, -circular stairs were used, as supposed to occupy less space, but they -were found to be inconvenient and dangerous, and since measurement has -shown that straight stairs need occupy no more space, the “cork screws” -have been entirely superseded. Eight-inch risers and 9-inch treads are -recommended by Champneys,[296] who thinks, by the way, 2 feet 4 inches -the right width, iron with rubber treads being the material. - -Stairs should be put in wherever they will be most convenient, and where -they interfere least with book storage and passing. One flight certainly -should be next the entrance on each floor, and one flight generally at -the other end. If they be set sideways in the folio shelving there, which -is not always all needed, they seem to interfere least. (See paragraph on -circular or winding stairs.) - -_Lifts._ Light lifts for single books, or few books at a time, are needed -for all stacks (See that title, on page 228.) In large libraries and high -stacks, elevators large and strong enough to carry trucks and boxes, are -also necessary. For lifts, hand operation will serve, or electricity; for -freight elevators, some sort of power is better. - -Every such carrier should run from basement to top, with opening on every -floor. A speaking tube should run beside it, with mouthpiece also on each -floor. - -_Ledges._ (See under Shelving, p. 265.) As a ledge on both sides of -each case would greatly narrow the aisles for passage and diminish the -capacity for storage, these have disappeared from the modern stack. -Their place has been taken in some stacks by sliding shelves (to be -drawn out when wanted), which do not appear to be entirely satisfactory. -But the need for some substitute, for the use of which Dewey speaks, -has suggested ledges for folio shelving on each floor and for the new -device of carrels, which may at least partially replace ledges without -diminishing storage capacity or easy passage. - -_Shelves._ The shelving of stacks follows the rules already described -under the title “Shelving,” except as dimensions are varied by the use of -steel, which is less bulky. Movable shelves also allow more variety in -intervals to suit the average size of books in any part of the stack. It -is usual to maintain the 10-inch height for intervals between shelves, -all over the stack, except as thus modified here and there to suit -exigencies and except for folio shelving at the ends (or sides) of each -floor. - -Different patents offer much choice in stack shelving. Avoid especially -projections, likely to catch dust or tear clothing or injure books. Test -very carefully all forms of “clutch” or detachable shelves. - -=Stack Lighting.= _Natural._ North light is the best, but the choice is -not often open. The location of the stack is determined usually by other -considerations than aspect. Unless it runs along the rear or side of the -main building; if it projects, that is, it will naturally have two sides -lighted, one of which in any location would have to be south or west, and -thus sunny. If wired glass is used as a protection against fire it will -be more or less opaque and thus will temper glare. Shades can, of course, -be used on the worst exposure, and some contrivance can be used, like -that at the Library of Congress, to work all these curtains at once to -save time. - -Overhead light will penetrate one glass floor of a stack fairly well, not -more.[297] - -“If daylight is on the whole better and more wholesome, as it is -certainly cheaper than electric light, then a well windowed stack room is -better than a dark one.”—_Russell Sturgis._[298] - -Light penetrates stack aisles effectively only about twenty feet, hence a -stack lighted on both sides may be forty feet wide, plus width of centre -aisle. - -_Artificial._ The best light is, of course, electricity, and here the -expert of the stack to be installed can give valuable advice. The -question of the location of the bulbs, their power, their direction -(transverse or perpendicular), their frequency, their wiring, their -switches, such questions must be determined. As a great deal might depend -on the particular structure of the stack, one bid for the stack, another -for the lighting, with specifications from each bidder, might be invited. - -Hand bulbs at the end of cords have not been found satisfactory. Various -devices have been used, but good systems of fixed lights (bulbs with -reflectors and shades), worked well by means of switches, have been -perfected. - -_Reflective Colors._ To help diffusion and local effectiveness of both -natural and artificial light, inner walls and the whole stack would -well be painted some agreeable light tint of enamelled paint. This is -a question of taste for the architect, with approval by librarian and -committee. - - -Stack Windows - -As stack windows must be high and narrow, they introduce a new and -imperative architectural feature on the exterior of the stack fronts. -The usual form is a continuous window from foundation to eaves. This -may, however, be broken for a foot up from every floor, by a cross band -of iron or stone, for effect or for any interior convenience, like -continuous hanging of steam pipes, without real diminution of daylight -inside, provided that the windows run quite to the ceiling in each deck, -to give full top light. If the windows are glazed with wire glass, they -will afford some protection from outside fire, and being opaque, would -temper the glare of sunlight. Factory ribbed glass is also used, as both -tempering and intensifying daylight. - -_True Windows._ To give full effect the piers between windows should be -only as thick as the depth of the double book cases, sixteen inches, -and directly opposite them. They have only to support themselves and -the roof, as the stack floors are independent and self-supporting. -Re-enforcement with a steel T-beam will render them stiff enough with -sixteen inch width, and even allow flaring from the windows to admit more -light. - -With this construction, each window can have the full width of the aisle -it fronts and be so framed and glazed as not to intercept any light, thus -throwing illumination as far as possible down the aisle, with oblique -rays from the side of the window to the other side of the aisle, reaching -both rows of books to the far end. - -This I call a true stack window. In looking over modern plans, you will -see that many libraries have them as to position, though the entire -available width is not always used. - -If you have Clark’s “Care of Books,” see how true the alcove windows were -in the Queen’s College, Cambridge, library as long ago as A. D. 1472. - -_Defective Windows._ In other stacks, you will find windows too short -(even if there is a cross band, it should not be more at the most than -eighteen inches in height, leaving a window on each deck, six feet full -down from the deck above), but oftener windows narrower than the aisle, -giving too little light to reach the inner ends of the cases. There is -no excuse for these. As has been said above, there is no structural need -to build the piers between windows wider than the book cases inside, -and just so much as they encroach upon the windows they commit the -unpardonable sin of darkening the stack. - -Many modern plans show this defect. - -_False Windows._ By these I mean windows which outside take the gridiron -stack form, but do not come truly and fully opposite every aisle inside. - -“The rear elevation of the New York Public Library plainly shows that the -architects wilfully omitted to place a window at the end of each aisle. -All the beauty of the elevation will not make good the want of light in -the lower floors of the stack.”—_Oscar Bluemner._[299] - -The falsity of this arrangement, which is found in many modern libraries, -lies in using an exterior scheme which does not meet inside conditions. -The excuse is that sufficient diffused light is provided for the whole -stack. But if this is true (which I cannot concede), any other equal -window area could be used in any other form, which would not give outer -promise of inward excellence. They are only a sham, and can therefore be -called false stack windows. - -=Heating.= The best form developed for stacks is by hot water or steam -pipes along the walls just above the floor of each story clear of the -books, with coils in the windows. Overhead pipes are very bad, as they -concentrate heat at the top of each story, where it is most oppressive to -those walking or working below. - -=Ventilation.= There should be an air space above the top shelves in a -stack. Good ventilation can be provided there by end windows and through -the side windows. Some writers have advised sealed windows so as to be -dust proof. In that case some system of forced draft would have to be -installed. - -The ventilation of a stack, where use by staff and public is only -intermittent, is perhaps not so important as that of reading rooms -constantly crowded, but the open construction and height of the stack -differentiate the problem rather than avoid it. - -=Underground.= In England, Burgoyne says[300] four stories is the rule. -But in America, every library builds its stack, in all dimensions, -according to its wants and space. Four-story stacks are common, but by no -means the limit. - -The impending exigencies of storage have not only brought suggestions of -dark stacks in the interior of a building, but they have already carried -stacks under ground. Even the Bodleian Library in England has installed -a two-story subterranean stack, mechanically lighted and ventilated, -under its front lawn. Plans are on foot for stacks many floors below -ground-level, to be lighted and aired by electricity. See p. 222. - -=Upward.= Ten “decks” is the maximum height now, but why is it not -possible to build further up into the air before we burrow under ground? -Are there any structural difficulties? Would it cost more to have a -“sky-scraper” stack than a dungeon? - -It is a question how underground cases will affect the books. It is -claimed that forced draft will avert the evils of dampness, but Dr. -Thwaites reports that he has found trouble from mould deposited on the -backs of books as the warmer air from the surface above comes into -contact with the cooler walls of the cellar. Would not books packed in -sliding cases, away from the moving air, be more apt to develop inside -rot and insects? - -It does not appear to me that cellars for book storage have got beyond -experimental stage. Some years of test seem needed to prove their perfect -availability. - -=Stack Towers.= B. R. Green says[301] “the stack might be in the center, -and rise from the roof as a tower. It would be a simple thing to make -a stack of twenty or more stories.” Why not? and why not so rise from -an ell, as well as from the center? Why not build it as a sky-scraper, -any number of stories upward, supporting itself, with a shell plastered -on the exterior? The structural objections would seem no greater in a -stack than an office building. The operating objections are surely no -weightier going up than going down. The daylight would be better, the -dampness less. It might be easier to flood cellars than towers, in case -of fire, but the certainty of water is even a worse foe to books than the -possibilities of fire. - -Why is not here a chance to develop a new type of architectural beauty? -If towers are fine features in churches and abbeys, why not in libraries? -Before digging catacombs for our books, why not set our inventive -faculties on hanging gardens of literature reached by elevators like the -levels of the Eiffel Tower? - -=Capacity.= Various ways of calculating capacity have been suggested, but -most of them disregard the fact that stacks vary in measurement, and only -two whose interior dimensions are exactly alike can be safely compared. - -Capacity of an average stack can be roughly calculated at twenty volumes -to a square foot on each deck. Thus a 30 × 40 stack, three stories high, -will hold about 72,000 vols. - -I prefer to calculate the capacity of every new stack independently, when -planning it. - -Taking folio shelving separately and adding its figures in later, I -take one floor by itself. It has so many double cases, such and such -length, on each side of the central gangway. One case 15 or 18 feet long, -multiplied by 2 for the two sides, and 7 or 8 for such shelves as the -librarian thinks he can use, then multiplied by 8 volumes to each foot, -will give the “practical capacity” in volumes for octavos and duodecimos. -Multiply by the number of cases on both sides, plus your calculation for -folios, and you have the capacity of that deck. Multiply again by number -of decks, and you have the practical capacity of the stack. - -If you wish to get the “full capacity,” as it is reported in many plans, -make your volume-multiplier ten instead of eight, or add twenty-five per -cent to your first calculation, which amounts to the same thing. But -eight to the foot is practically full capacity for closely classified -libraries, where frequent gaps must be left for growth, at the end of -each subject. - - -Sliding Cases - -We can wisely borrow from England the “sliding presses” which Dr. Richard -Garnett brought to the attention of the Library Association of the United -Kingdom at its annual meeting of 1891, having previously described them -in Dewey’s Library Notes and elsewhere in 1887. - -Adapted from the Bethnal Green library in 1886, they were put on trial in -the British Museum in 1887, and have since been in operation, regarded -apparently as an invention quite as valuable as the stack appears to -us. “I think enough has been said,” to quote Dr. Garnett’s words, “to -convince librarians of the expediency of taking the sliding-press, or -some analogous contrivance, into account in plans for the enlargement of -old libraries, or the construction of new ones.” - -The British Museum press is described as “an additional bookcase hung -in the air from beams or rods projecting in front of the bookcase it is -desired to enlarge, working by rollers running on metal ribs, and so -suspended as not to touch the ground anywhere.” In other words, it is a -movable bookcase parallel to a fixed case, and sliding to and from it by -wheels above. It may be distinctively called a hanging case or press. It -is better suited to the arrangement of aisles and construction of floors -in the British Museum than to most American libraries, and so far as I -know has not been copied here. - -[See illustration in Library Notes,[302] and also in Burgoyne.[303]] - -Another double press used at the Museum is called by Dr. Garnett the -pivot press. It is apparently a second case, kept front to front close -to the fixed case and swung out from it when wanted, by a door-motion -hinged on a perpendicular pivot; overhung, I gather, at the Museum, but -elsewhere running by wheels on metal semi-circular tracks laid on or -in the floor. Such were early experiments in Trinity College, Dublin, -twenty-five years ago. These might be called folding bookcases. They have -not yet been copied in America. - -A third kind of movable bookcase, which may more properly be called -the sliding case, is used in the Patent Office Library, London. This -apparently also swings from the top. Duff-Brown[304] describes it: “These -presses are swung closely side by side, and drawn out, one at a time, as -required.” He does not say drawn out endwise, however. - -This idea is developed in The Librarian[305] by James Lymburn, who -suggests “a store-room of any length, 22 feet wide by 35 feet high, in -three stories, lighted from the roof through iron grating floors; with -center passages of 9 feet, and sliding cases 6 feet long, closely packed -in on each side.” He calculates that such a room 40 feet long would hold -100,000 volumes; its advantages being close storage and shelter from dust -and sunlight. - -See for illustration, Champneys.[306] - -Jenner, in the Library Chronicle,[307] claims for the sliding case these -merits: Cheapness, as compared with enlarging the building; possibility -of gradual installation as needed; nearness to other shelves in a -classification; absence of obstacle to light(?) or motion. - -I have also received from a dealer in Oxford, England, a small pamphlet -hinting at rather than describing, a room laid out after Lymburn’s idea. -The pamphlet calculates it will save about half the space taken by stack -storage. These cases, and Mr. Lymburn’s, are evidently double. - -See also H. Woodbine in The Library Association Record.[308] - -_Per contra_, H. M. Mayhew says in The Library,[309] “The drawback of the -ordinary sliding or hanging or extension case is the difficulty of moving -so great a weight whenever one book is wanted.” - -I cannot figure out much from these English descriptions about problems -of mechanism, repairs, lighting, or cleaning. - -In America, the general idea of sliding cases has been discussed since -Dr. Garnett’s description of the British Museum device in Library Notes, -and since Mr. Gladstone called attention to it in the Nineteenth Century -of March, 1890. - -Mr. Gladstone describes what he calls these “book cemeteries” thus, as he -has seen the “tentative and initial processes”:— - -“The masses represented by filled bookcases are set one in front of the -other, and in order that access may be had as required, they are set on -trams inserted in the floor (which must be a strong one), and wheeled off -and on as occasion requires.” - -The masses which he thinks ought first “be selected for interment” are -Hansard’s Debates, the Gentleman’s Magazine, and the Annual Register. - -So far as I know only two trials of this idea have been made here; -several years ago by Dr. Little at Bowdoin College, more recently by Mr. -Lane at Harvard University. Both of these are wooden single cases, side -by side, pulled out by the end, and locked or lockable. Both slide, not -hang. - -Mr. Lane has now a line of twenty-three in a row, sliding on ball-bearing -wheels at the bottom, which in turn run on rails countersunk in the -floor. At the top, the cases are held erect and guided, but not -supported, by small wheels along the sides of a T-rail. He uses his -cases entirely for rare books in an exhibition room on the ground floor, -and finds them very satisfactory for the purpose, although he utters -a warning that provision should be made for free access to all the -mechanism, which occasionally needs repair. - -Dr. Little submitted a paper describing his cases to the A. L. Institute -at its New York meeting in 1911. By reference to a photographic view -accompanying I see that he has a double-decker,—two stories of five -single wooden cases each; each case “about six feet high and three feet -long.” “These cases can be made of either wood or metal, for either -octavos or quartos, supplied with either fixed or movable shelves.” [At -Harvard the middle shelf is fixed as a brace, the others are movable.] -“They must be mounted _at the center of the base_ on small ball-bearing -trucks which run on metal rails sunk in the floor. Their tops are at the -same time guided and kept securely in place by a slot and a T-iron, -the friction against which is reduced to a minimum by rollers, placed -horizontally. If properly constructed and placed upon level rails, a -slight pull with one hand will bring one forth. The increased storage is -estimated at 100 per cent.... We also have the Patent Office Gazette on -six wooden sliding cases like these, on either side of the door of the -room in which they are stored.... This method of storage is especially -economical in case a depository library desires to keep its sheep-bound -set of Congressional Documents as a unit, arranged by their serial -number.... The cost of these cases and their installation varies greatly -with the material, finish and location. My first cost less than $15 -each, my last about twice that amount.” - -I suppose Dr. Little means this for the cost of each separate bookcase, -fully equipped and mounted. Mr. Lane’s figures I have not been able to -put my hands on. - -So far for the statement of facts. I must confess to having approached -the subject with some prejudice against the mechanism of these cases, -founded on an experience of sliding doors in dwelling houses, which slide -or not, as they feel like it, and whose machinery is most difficult to -get at and repair. But machinery can be got under control by mechanics. I -yield my prejudices in view of the evident advantages of this system, and -am prepared to make definite suggestions as to its use in future repairs -or building in this country. - -In alterations of those architectural extravagances which have wasted -so much perpendicular capacity in high rooms and corridors, I see a way -to use the style of cases experimented on by Dr. Little and Mr. Lane, -rather than any of the English styles. Either as a single story along a -wall anywhere, or in the double story style, swung out anywhere on the -vacant floor of any room or any unnecessarily wide corridor, there will -be relief in the storage of any books not required for open access or -frequent reference;—as Dr. Little says, “for compact storage of less used -books.” - -In planning new buildings I hardly think it would be necessary to set -up such cases at first, except perhaps in the case of rare books as at -Harvard, where locked cases and protection from sunlight were wanted, -with infrequent access; or in equipping rooms for rapidly growing sets, -such as Congressional or State Documents, Patent Office Reports, sets -of periodicals or publications of societies, or any similar sets whose -titles and volume numbers can be labelled on the ends of the cases; or -for “dead” books. The Oxford pamphlet sketches a room somewhat after the -“Poole plan,” equipped with tables and chairs toward the windows and a -row of sliding cases along the blind wall opposite the window light. This -seems to me good for many departments. - -But except in rooms evidently adapted to such treatment, I would not -install sliding shelves anywhere, but would most certainly leave space, -in a perfectly dry basement if nowhere else, for possible future -installation whenever need may arise. - -One reason for this postponement is this: that several details must be -studied, experimented on, and perfected before fully equipped rooms of -this kind can be considered as tried out and permanently satisfactory. -Lymburn’s scheme seems good, but the plans presented by Champneys and the -dealers do not work out well on examination as regards space, light or -handling. I suggest as problems to be investigated,— - - Smooth and sure working of the mechanism. - Easy access to top and rear for repairs. - Access for cleaning and ventilation. - Incidence of weight (this is not even on floors as in a stack; - but is moving, as on bridges). - Lighting (most important) on each face of each case. - Floors sure to remain true. - Width of center aisles for all emergencies. - -See Bookworms, p. 222. - - -PART III - -READERS’ ROOMS - - -Reading Generally - -F. B. Perkins[310] divides reading into three classes: Entertainment, -Acquisition of knowledge, Authorship. This epitomizes our American -division of reading rooms. - -What I shall call the light-reading room will provide for all who drop -in at a library to pass a quiet, restful, recreative half hour, a very -large proportion of readers. They are attracted by the lighter magazines, -the illustrated weeklies and monthlies, and books into which they can dip -pleasantly for a few moments. This is generally known as the periodical -room. - -The serious reading room, usually called _the_ reading room, is intended -for such readers as get books from the shelves to study or read earnestly -and long, or are preparing themes, papers, newspaper articles—even (when -there is slender provision of separate study rooms) where they are -writing books. - -I would add a fourth use of a library—perhaps the commonest—as it helps -all other classes, that is, what we call reference use. (In England where -the reference library and its reading room seem to cover all reading of -books in the library as distinguished from magazines and newspapers, -this is called quick or ready reference.) A separate reference room -or separate corner of the reading room near the door holds all the -books to which visitors look for scraps of information, but never read -consecutively. - - -Serious Reading Room - -By this phrase I mean the room for serious readers who want quiet, but -do not need separate rooms. The English seem to call this the reference -room, a name I apply only to their “quick” or “ready reference” room. -Their “reading room” I call in this work periodical room, in which books -for light or “half hour” reading in the library may be shelved. - -This main or general reading room is usually on the ground floor in -smaller libraries, but may be relegated to the second or the top, or -indeed to any other convenient floor, accessible by elevators and in good -communication with the stack. - -In libraries where there is space for it on the ground floor, it can be -supervised and served from the central delivery desk, but when elsewhere, -it must have a separate desk and service. - -In the largest libraries it often occupies a central position and a -circular form. With a lofty open dome above, it is an impressive feature, -but wastes space which might be utilized otherwise, and it is said to be -more or less drafty and hard to heat evenly. - -Position at the top as at the New York Public Library, has great -advantage in light without waste of space, or superfluous loftiness. If -over the stack (though the supporting walls have then to be stronger than -usual) it has the advantage of short and straight lines to the books, and -is said to lend itself to enlargement for readers and books _pari passu_. -Good elevator service is a requisite in this form. “I incline more and -more to the reading room on top of the building, especially in a large -city.”—(_Dewey._[311]) So Andrews, at the same Conference. He also said, -“I believe in the single reading room [as compared with the Newberry or -Poole’s plan] in a public library as a saving in trained assistants, and -because it is impossible to classify readers in rooms as you do books.” - -“Plain outlines are best. Recesses, alcoves, bay windows and nooks -are difficult of supervision and spoil the public character of a -library.”—_O. Bluemner._[312] - -The main requisites of a reading room are quiet, privacy, light, good air -and space. - -=Quiet.= This means not only regulations against conversation, but -various physical conditions. For instance, absence of stir or motion; -exclusion of such magazines as are merely looked over with fluttering of -leaves; exclusion from the shelves (if there must be shelves around the -walls) of books frequently wanted by readers and attendants; (reference -books, class books, new books and others inviting frequent examination, -should be put on the side or in a corner near the entrance, concentrating -stir there;) noiseless floors; echoless walls and ceilings; exclusion of -outside noises; no stairs directly into or out of the room; no passage -through to other rooms. - -=Privacy.= This requirement can be met by the proper provision and -arrangement of the furniture, which will be further treated under the -head of Tables. The former method was to use almost exclusively large -open tables, seating ten or more, or tables with lengthwise and crosswise -partitions, setting aside bins or stalls like voting booths to shut out -distracting sights. The large plain tables are not now in favor, the -tendency being toward tables for six, four, two, or even one. See floor -plans and interiors of libraries in Koch and elsewhere. - -=Light.= Light falling from the left, shaded from the eyes, focussed on -the table in front of the reader on the book he is reading there, or the -paper on which he is writing, is desirable. If the room is lofty, windows -high in the walls, carefully shaded from glare, are out of range of -reader’s eyes. If lower, as most rooms are, the table seats should be so -disposed if possible as to give each reader light from the left. - -The question of artificial light is discussed elsewhere. The best of high -lamps for diffused light, of side lights and of hanging lamps to light -readers, is a special study for the architect. As readers have varied -eyesight, individual table lights, adjustable and severally operated are -best on the whole, but the wiring of each table fixes its location so -that it cannot be moved in cleaning or re-spacing. Bulbs hanging about -eight feet from the floor are much used. - -=Good Air.= This is as important as it often is unsatisfactory. Bad air -interferes more than anything else with clearness and concentration -of thought. Mr. Ranck of Grand Rapids is now chairman of an A. L. A. -Committee on this subject. He writes me: “Personally, the more I have -looked into it, the more I am convinced that the physiological side -is most difficult, not the mere keeping down the amount of carbon -dioxide. I am inclined to think it will be necessary to make a number -of experimental tests to determine these points.” The report of this -committee will be interesting. - -Meanwhile, the best thing to do is to get a report from recent buildings -as to their methods, and the success of each. Evidently the problem -varies with the size and situation of the room and the method of -heating, including heat from artificial light. - -If perfect ventilation could be installed, crowded tables would not be -quite so bad. - -=Space.= H. T. Hare, an architect, in a recent number of the _Library -Association Record_,[313] writes: “Almost all our public libraries are -too closely packed for comfort, health and movement. A fifty per cent -increase in floor space would not be at all extravagant.” - -If there is money to spare, this might be desirable, but unfortunately -few libraries, large or small, have funds enough to allow luxuries. The -spacing of seats must be as close as health and convenience will permit. -It is generally agreed that for serious reading, which may require room -to spread books open and to lay manuscripts beside them, 25 square feet -are ample, 20 square feet sufficient, 16 square feet rather a crowded -minimum, to include chair, table and passage-ways. - -As to size, Duff-Brown[314] suggests finding the _daily_ average of -readers and plan for one quarter of this daily attendance at any one time -during the day, as sufficient space to allow. - - -Reference Room - -As already said this is a very useful room, or section of a room; indeed -it might even be put in an anteroom or vestibule, to include such books -as will be used for quick consultation, but never for reading. It should -be for the openest and speediest access. As Spofford specifies,[315] -“It would include encyclopædias, dictionaries, glossaries, etc.,” -or according to Fletcher,[316] “general and special encyclopædias -(such as music, fine arts, mechanics, geography, classical, Biblical, -biographical, etc.)” Dr. E. C. Richardson[317] lays down that “at least a -small selection of the best reference books should be accessible to the -public.” - -“Place as little hindrance as may be to the busy man who runs in to -glance at the dictionary, directory, or time-table.”—_Bostwick._[318] - -This room need not be as large as either of the other reading rooms, but -it should be most accessible, near the front door, near the desk, near -the catalog. It should have wall shelving for large and small books, -drawn under specifications by the librarian, for just what volumes he -wants to display there. Revolving bookcases are convenient here. This is -especially the place for the old-fashioned ledge, and for a few narrow -tables like those used in front of a catalog case, with small, light -chairs or stools; just as little furniture as would be needed for taking -down a volume at a time to glance at, or to take brief notes from. How -many it should accommodate at once depends on the library and its use. It -will be wanted, in brief visits, by very many of the visitors, down even -to the children of the higher grades of the schools. - -Although one of the most important departments of large or small -libraries, it is not the place for high walls or architectural ornament. -It should have especially good light at all points day and evening, for -the type of many reference books is so small as to try the eyesight at -its best. - -If there is not space in the building for a separate room, put it, if -possible, in the same room with open-access shelves, or the magazines, -or in a corridor, where there is already some confusion; for the use -of reference books is a distraction to serious reading anywhere near. -If they must be put in the reading room, give the reference books a -stretch of shelving or a corner near the entrance and desk, so that their -consultation will leave serious readers afar off and undisturbed. - -Might not a good arrangement of a reference room be on the window side -of the delivery or open-access room, with broad alcoves opposite the -light, and with a good ledge under the windows; or just with floor cases -perpendicular to the windows, spaced wide like open-access shelves, but -having old-fashioned ledges to help consultation of reference books? Here -is opportunity for ingenious planning. - -=Standard Library.= Mr. Foster’s plan of a Standard Library room at -Providence has something to commend it from an educational or didactic -point of view, but it would hardly be much missed by the public. In new -buildings where all available space is in demand for more imperative -needs, I doubt if I should include such a room, unless already adopted as -part of the policy of the library. If it is, however, to be included it -should have an architectural dignity—not necessarily splendid—to conform -to its purpose. Why might not this be combined with the trustees’ room? -The bindings of the books would adorn the walls, and make the room a -worthy meeting place of the board at evening, without interfering with -what I imagine is not an eager or crowded use by the public during the -day. - -Or, if its object be not quiet reading, but to bring the books -prominently to notice, to exhibit them, why not treat it as an open -access or club room, open to conversation? Would not this further its -primary object, attract visitors, and promote taking these volumes home -or into quiet reading rooms to read? - - -Light-Reading Rooms - -=Half-hour reading.=[319] This is generally called Magazine or Periodical -room in our libraries, but I should include in it some provision for -casual reading of books also. In 1903 I suggested at an Atlantic City -Conference, shelving in such rooms for a class of books every library -owns, but usually scatters under various classifications, although their -common purpose is for episodical or temporary entertainment, such as is -known as “half-hour reading.” On this shelving I advocated placing a good -selection of the best short stories, readable essays, anthologies, brief -poems, humor, and so on, to be read in the room, just as magazines are -used, for such pastime as the reader’s time will afford. - -“Three-quarters of the readers are destitute of literary culture, but -need recreation and pastime.”—_Winsor._[320] - -My suggestion then evoked interest, but I do not know that it has -been acted on anywhere. I renew it here as a use for wall shelving in -periodical rooms for new buildings, and in concentrating there all -recreative reading. In this light-reading room a certain amount of -movement and noise must be expected, which will not much annoy the -readers there. The coming and going of visitors whose stay must be brief, -the handling of magazines or books, the turning of pages, the rustling of -newspapers, perhaps the murmurs of children over illustrations, are to be -expected. Here such wall shelving as has been suggested would not be out -of place. - -=Periodicals.= Here are kept such few local and metropolitan newspapers -as are taken by the average library. Magazines and weeklies either -lie freely on large flat tables or are kept for open access in wooden -pigeon-holes or pockets against the walls without intervention of any -attendant, or are kept behind a counter to be issued by a special -attendant on call. Where there are many readers and a large number -of serials, experience has shown that it is better to keep them in -pigeon-holes behind a counter, to be delivered by an attendant. - -“Where not a large number of periodicals is taken, they are usually -placed on tables without a special attendant.”—_Poole._[321] - -The furniture of the room and its arrangement will depend on which system -is to be used in the library. This should be settled in advance. - -The chairs used here should be strong, but light; rubber-tipped so as to -be noiseless when moved. Except in looking at illustrated papers, readers -may prefer to hold octavo magazines, or books, in their hands, turning -their chairs back or side to the light, in the easiest posture. Arm -chairs for such use would be appropriate. - -It is not supposed to be necessary to allow so much floor space for each -reader in such rooms. Duff-Brown[322] considers 12 square feet enough in -England, but our usage in America is 16 square feet, which is better for -elbow room, passage and ventilation. - -“In rooms for magazine reading, there should be more room for chairs than -tables.”—_Champneys._[323] This seems good advice, unless the periodicals -are to be laid loose on the tables. - -It is often the custom to put reviews and other serious magazines in the -reading room, leaving all the popular or recreative serials in the room -for light reading. - -There are frequent articles in English library journals about arrangement -of magazines, but I find nothing among them which seems to improve on -methods generally understood here. See Duff-Brown.[324] - -“A really effective system, of displaying periodicals is about as -difficult to find as a first folio Shakespeare.”—_Burgoyne._[325] - -The few newspapers taken are generally mounted on sticks and hung from -racks, though I have seen them left loose on tables. - - -Newspaper Room - -In English libraries this department seems prominent in all buildings, -large and small. “The English newsroom is generally the largest and most -convenient room in the building.” In America, a few newspapers are kept -in the light-reading room, but only large public libraries have separate -rooms for newspapers. Where a considerable collection is kept, a large -room will be required, with single sloping desks against the walls or -double desks on the floor, with or without stools; or sometimes the -papers are hung on the hooks of racks, and used at tables (with chairs) -close by. - -The newspaper room may be put in the basement with a separate entrance, -as its use and supervision are generally separate from other uses of the -library. - -“Newspaper and magazine rooms should not be too large; two 30 × 50 -are much less noisy than one 50 × 60, less draughty and easier to -ventilate.”—_Burgoyne._[326] - -The opinion expressed by Dr. Poole in the United States Public Library -Report of 1876,[327] “It is thought in some libraries that the expense -of newspapers could be better applied to some other purposes,” seems to -be echoed in recent discussions in England. See The Library Assistant, -Vol. 4.[328] A moderate view advanced at one meeting was this: “It is -exceedingly doubtful whether a newsroom is justified in towns with a -population under 45,000.” The matter is well summed up in the Library -Association Record.[329] Reading the debates, and weighing the arguments -_pro_ and _con_, does not lead one to recommend planners of American -libraries to provide more space for newspapers than it is customary to -allow with us: a rack or two in small and medium libraries, for local -papers and one or two metropolitan journals, but no separate newspaper -rooms except in the public libraries of large cities. Even there, I -imagine their use is more for reference and information than it seems to -be in England. Champneys[330] calls the newspaper reader “a professional -loafer.” - -However, “In libraries where the newspaper room is somewhat inaccessible, -there is little annoyance from the tramp element. Branch library reading -rooms in New York City, put on the third story for lack of sufficient -space below, are almost entirely free from tramps. People willing to -climb to that story really want to read.”—_Bostwick._[331] - -This fact is worth noting in planning large libraries. - - -Children’s Room - -This department, now considered a cardinal necessity in all libraries -great or small, is a development of the last generation. No special -rooms were devoted to this purpose before 1890. “Today it is tending -to be a practically separate library, with its own books, circulation, -catalogues, statistics and staff.”—(_Bostwick._[332]) So great a success -has it become, that a library without special provision for children -would now be a curiosity. - -In the smallest libraries, with only one room, separate tables and -shelves are set aside for children. As libraries grow in grade, separate -rooms are provided with special attendants as well. Here the shelving, -tables and chairs are lower, often of two or three suitable sizes. - -The idea at the outset was to segregate children so that their motion -and chatter should not annoy adults who were using the library; now the -notion is entirely educational, to catch and interest young children, -so that they will continue to use the library as they grow up. There -are even separate rooms for smaller tots, on the kindergarten idea of -attracting them with pictures before they begin to read. This purpose is -furthered by having suitable pictures on the walls. Rooms are also fitted -up for small audiences to whom stories are read or told. - -Although children are only expected for a few hours every day, they are -apt to swarm at those hours. The room or rooms so used ought to be at -the same time homelike, cozy, attractive, and also well ventilated. The -ground floor is the best place, though the basement has often to be -used, in default of room above, and children have been sent up one flight -of stairs, because they are better able to climb than adults. The stairs -and hand rails should in this case conform to children’s stature. If they -can be shut off from the reading room by sound-proof partitions, quiet is -preserved for the readers. Children are apt to be restless and murmurous -if not noisy. “Children do not mind noise and crowding; adults do.” In -large buildings separate entrances are provided for children. - -Special reference rooms are even provided in some libraries, and in the -largest buildings teachers’ rooms adjoin, so as to bring all school -influences into the same suite and system. - -Bostwick[333] advises (why?) that shelving should be confined to the -walls if possible. - -In planning, the librarian should determine the scheme he will adopt for -treating this problem, and a room or portion of a room or a suite of -rooms should be assigned and fitted after the latest and most approved -manner. - -Discussion is still active, and new methods are developed yearly with -constantly improving conveniences. - -In England this movement appears to be viewed with some distrust. -Duff-Brown[334] speaks of “the epidemic raging in the United States.” But -he devotes four paragraphs to it, and Champneys[335] three pages. The -latter, quoting Clay’s School Buildings, gives an interesting formula of -heights of seats and tables for children of different ages, though he -thinks it difficult to get the small children to use low tables and the -reverse. He also specifies the need of low hand rails for children on -stairs; even two rails, one for adults, one for children. - -See Marvin, pp. 12, 17, 18; Dana, Lib. Pr., 167; Bostwick, 78, 85; L. J. -1897, p. 181; Conf. 19, 28; 10 P. L. 346. - - -Women’s Rooms - -The separation of boys and girls, usually by a low hand rail, is favored -in children’s rooms, by obvious parallelism with school customs, but the -separation of men and women into different rooms has never been common in -America, although separate tables are sometimes assigned to “the use of -ladies.” But no “woman’s room” is a necessity to consider in planning. -In England it has been different. Duff-Brown[336] reports eighty women’s -rooms among over four hundred public libraries there, but he pronounces -them unnecessary. Champneys[337] also thinks them “an indifferent -success.” “Experience has proved that a separate room for women is -unnecessary.”—(_Burgoyne._[338]) If that is the verdict where they have -been extensively tried, there seems to be no good precedent for wasting -space on them in American libraries. - -In various discussions of this subject, it has been stated that women -sometimes use tables set aside for them, but not special rooms, and that -such rooms require closer supervision, because the few who use them are -more apt to mutilate or deface books and periodicals than any other class -of readers. - - -The Blind - -See Bostwick’s chapter on “Libraries for the Blind.”[339] - -“Books for the blind are handled by a public library in much the same -way as those for the seeing. It is common to have a separate department -or suite of rooms, but this is not necessary.... Owing to the size of -the books, shelving for them is of unusual depth.... Free access to the -shelves is as valuable to a blind reader as to one who has the use of his -eyes.” - -“The question of space will arise in many places. No space could, -however, be devoted to a more humane and valuable purpose than the -storage of books for the blind, and every encouragement and support -should be given to the movement.”—_Duff-Brown._[340] - -Because of the space required, very careful consideration should be given -by the building committee as to how much space the conditions of their -community will allow them to give to such special wants. If they decide -to have rooms for the blind, these ought to be, if possible, near an -entrance from the street level. In regard to dimensions, shelving, etc., -the librarian would best inquire of some library of the same grade and -class. Experience is the best teacher, and the local treatment of this -subject must be defined and specially planned for. - - -Special Rooms - -Small libraries have no space for differentiation. One room, or a few -rooms, must be divided by rails, low bookcases, or glass partitions, into -the functions they can manage to separate. But as a library enlarges, -and grows to other stories, it finds many advantages in segregating -different classes of books and readers, thus approaching Dr. Poole’s plan -of separate reading rooms, or the department plan in universities. Even -before any such activities have grown enough to occupy a full room, any -space in a new plan which can be spared may well be marked “unassigned.” - -Some of these rooms are used in all public libraries of all sizes except -the smallest; some of them are desirable in many other classes of -libraries. - -These rooms, in about the order of need, as libraries grow, are,— - - (1) Local Literature, - (2) Study, - (3) Classes, - (4) Patents, Science, Useful Arts, - (5) Public Documents, - (6) Art: Prints, - (7) Music, - (8) Maps, - (9) Education, - (10) Lectures, - (11) Exhibitions, - (12) Pamphlets, - (13) Bound Serials, - (14) Special Collections, - (15) Information, - (16) Conversation, - (17) Unassigned. - -These rooms, except Information, do not demand ground-floor space, -but can be assigned to upper floors. In a large library, they will be -accessible by elevators anywhere; in a two-story library, or even in -one of three stories with easy flights of stairs, the fewer readers who -want to use them may be asked to climb rather than the larger throngs of -general readers or borrowers of books. - -=Local Literature.= I take up this first, because even a very small -library may begin a collection, if only part of a shelf can be given -to it. “In a small place,” says Bostwick,[341] “the library may go -as far in such directions as its resources warrant, and even without -financial ability, it may stimulate sufficient interest to secure -volunteer helpers.” If you have or can get to look at Duff-Brown,[342] -see his specification of the books, etc., a library may include in a -“local collection.” Everything local in the way of printed matter, is -his summary. See a series of articles in The Library Asso. Rec., Vol. 7, -1905, pp. 1 to 30, and Vol. 13, p. 268. This is an English example well -worth following. - -A local collection may include, besides books and pamphlets, maps, -prints, even pictures, for which hanging space will be needed on the -walls. Indeed, if a local antiquarian society can be drawn in as -assistant handlers and curators, such a collection may assume a museum -phase, and may need low bookcases for books, with ledges above for models -and busts, cupboards for pamphlets and small objects, even glass cases -for relics. It should have floor space for visitors before all these -cases, and a large table and chairs for committee meetings. It is one -of the rooms which might be shared by the trustees where accommodations -are restricted. There is ample opportunity for special planning in such -a room, in accordance with the policies of the administration of the -library. - -=Study Rooms.= Here again the smallest libraries cannot spare special -facilities. All users must share the limited space available. But -when they get beyond the one-room or one-floor stage, some corners or -intervals between other departments, or ends of corridors, or mezzanine -rooms, might be found for private rooms, to be used for individuals, -either alone or with one scribe or typewriter. Even in small towns, -there are cultivated citizens, or professional people, or teachers, or -reporters, even authors, who wish to use books, and prepare manuscripts -alone, and can safely be trusted to do so without supervision. How great -a service such rooms might do in any American community, I do not think -is generally recognized. - -“It is the library alone that can furnish inventors, investigators, -and students of all kinds the opportunity to forestall wasteful -effort.”—_Bostwick._[343] - -For individuals, such rooms can be small, and low, of almost any form, -simply furnished with one small table and two chairs, with shelves at one -side or end for a few books, and one window, not necessarily large, but -giving good light on the table. - -“A large room with stalls, or a series of small rooms with shelves, for -students making protracted investigations and needing to keep books -several days.”—_Winsor._[344] - -Duff-Brown, however, thinks that students’ rooms only establish another -“privileged class,” and make further demands upon the staff for service -and oversight. - -=Rooms for Classes.= In close connection with the last idea (indeed rooms -might be interchanged for use either several and collective), are the -many classes, clubs, associations, etc., in the community so closely -connected with the use of books that the library ought to offer them -whatever hospitality its space can afford. - -“The modern public library is the helpful friend of scientific, art, -and historical societies, of the educational labor organizations, of -city improvement organizations, of teachers’ clubs, parents’ societies, -and women’s clubs. At the library should be rooms suitable for their -gatherings.” - -“One of the most important things in a library of any size is a room -where a class can be met by their teacher, and not interfere with the -regular work of the library.”—_C. A. Cutter._[345] - -“Study clubs, reading circles, extension teaching, and other allied -agents.”—_Dewey._ - -See liberal and well-lighted group of “seminar rooms” in the Wisconsin -State Historical Society plans.—_Adams._[346] - -In a paper by Arthur E. Bostwick (which I happened upon in an English -periodical[347]), there is this interesting account of the various -uses of rooms in branch libraries at St. Louis: “Each has an assembly -room _and one or more club rooms_, which are loaned free to any -organizations desiring to use them for intellectual advancement, or for -legitimate forms of recreation, such as women’s clubs, chess clubs, -groups of working men, socialists, classes in literature and philosophy, -self-culture, and reading circles, art or handicraft societies, athletic -clubs, dramatic clubs, military organizations, ecclesiastical bodies, -the Boy Scouts, high school alumni, English classes for immigrants, D. -A. R., etc.” I imagine that most trustees would draw the line far short -of the “etc.,” but the list indicates to what length libraries are going -on social and sociological lines, for which provision must be made in -building. - -Rooms for this purpose may be plainly painted and plainly furnished, but -should be adequately high, especially well ventilated and made cheerful -by color and light. How to define their sizes would be a matter for the -local librarian to guess at, with his line of activities well mapped out. -Where so much work beyond mere reading is to be done, there should be -at least one sizable lecture room (the basement would do), one or more -large rooms divisible by screens into several smaller rooms, and as many -smaller rooms with sound-proof provisions as space would allow. - -=Patents, Science, Useful Arts.= In industrial communities a room or -suite of rooms for the literature of science and the useful arts, -including sets of English and American patent specifications, will be -found useful. Winsor[348] emphasized the necessity of providing for rapid -growth in this department, at that time “150 large volumes a year.” - -A small library may properly shelve such scientific books as would -especially benefit its working constituency, but could not think of -patent reports. This is a luxury for the large libraries only, with -present and prospective space to spare. Floor space is necessary for -readers, with tables large and plentiful enough for many large volumes -and plates outspread. Shelf room is needed around the walls or in -alcoves, on the ground floor for the octavos, above for the larger books. -Where the stories of the building have been already made lofty (it would -not be necessary to have them lofty for this room alone), a favorite form -has recurred to the first American “typical plan,” to have around the -walls tiers of alcoves and galleries combined, about the only place this -discredited arrangement survives. - -Where the height of stories does not invite this form, such rooms can -well take a frequent law library phase, with tables near front windows -and combinations of wall shelving and wall cases opposite the windows, -narrow alcoves as it were, for book storage, but not for readers. - -Here seems an excellent opportunity to install some form of the new -sliding cases, say a row of such cases along an inner blind wall, with -tables and chairs toward the windows. - -=Public Documents.= “Pub. Docs.” are a burden on all libraries. They -are the first gift to small village libraries, the accumulating gifts -to growing libraries, the incubus on large libraries, and yet all feel -obliged to keep at least part of them. Some of the national and state -publications are very valuable, when distributed throughout the classes -to which they belong; but of the large mass of records which ought to be -preserved somewhere, what shall be retained, and where shall it be kept? - -“Do not waste time, in the early days of the library, in securing public -documents, save a few of purely local value. Take them if offered and -store them.”—_Dana._[349] - -See the sensible suggestions of Bostwick:[350] “Government documents -are a bugbear to many libraries.... We have some getting more than they -want, others that have to buy them. The library of moderate size, not a -repository, is inclined to disregard all government publications, which -is a pity. The large library will shelve everything.” - -A serious problem in planning is where to stow this superfluity without -interfering with essentials. - -In an old house closets, upper stories and dry cellars can be fitted -with fixed wooden shelving (for the sets are of uniform or similar -sizes), some for octavos, some for quartos. New buildings may have a -room or rooms assigned almost anywhere out of the way, even in the -center of cellar or attic, with only artificial light. If the original -or duplicates of the most important volumes are shelved under subjects -elsewhere, the use of pub. docs. will be so infrequent that their -location is a subordinate question. - -How much space to assign is a question that depends on the circumstances -and policy of the library; for instance, whether it is keeping United -States, state and foreign government issues; or only one or part of one. -In a small library a closet or an obscure corner will do. In a larger -library, a dry part of the basement or cellar is enough. In a very large -library, wherever space can be best spared. - -Here again sliding cases may come into play. - -How much space this literature may occupy is indicated in the L. C. -Report of 1901,[351] which states that there were 87,654 volumes under -this head in the Library of Congress at that date, besides 12,442 state -“Session laws.” - -=Duplicates.= A room for laying aside duplicates is needed in all -libraries large enough to have them. It needs as much rough wooden wall -or floor shelving as the number or prospective number of duplicates -demands, and can be put in cellar, basement, attic, or in any place not -needed by the more active departments. It is one of the rooms that do -not absolutely need good natural light, because it is not to be used by -readers or the public. - -There should, however, be space enough for ready access to the books -by attendants, and light enough for inspection. If there is to be any -attempt made at systematic and continued exchange of duplicates with -other libraries, this space and light will be more needed than if storage -only is required. - -As handling, access and inspection may be required at any moment, this -class of books seems hardly adapted to sliding-case shelving. - -=Art.= Small libraries cannot spare a separate room for this literature. -But in many buildings in æsthetic communities of no great size, an “Art -Room” is set aside before other extra departments attain the dignity of -separation. Often a suite of rooms is assigned to the ornamental arts, -Art, Prints and Photographs, Architecture, etc. Here, if anywhere, some -elaboration in cases, shelving and furniture, in harmony with the motive, -is excusable. The rooms surely should be most attractive in form and -color. The bindings in themselves of books of these classes are usually -decorative. - -An unusual proportion of the shelving should be designed for large -quartos and folios, to be laid flat and handled with care; part of the -shelves, at least, with rollers. - -Glazed bookcases preserve valuable books from dust and grime. Sliding -doors leave them accessible. Large tables or desks or sloping ledges, -with specially good light, are needed. - -The location of such rooms should be prominent. No space can usually be -spared on the ground floor, but a second floor, with simple, dignified, -easy stairs, is an excellent location, and the top floor superb, as it -allows good top light without interfering with wall space for shelving -and engravings above. Especially is this floor appropriate, if its center -is allotted to an exhibition room on whose walls or in whose cases public -exhibitions of the library’s artistic prints and portfolios can be -occasionally held. - -=Prints.= Bostwick[352] says, “A department of the public library that is -increasing in interest, and that may be said to be partly art collection, -partly repository of useful information in pictorial form, is the print -department.... Such collections are of value” (to eight specified classes -of readers). - -This use should be considered in planning an art room or suite. - -See fine photographic view of the Division of Prints in L. C. Report -1901,[353] which will suggest ideas of arrangement. - -=Public Photographing.= “In connection with such a suite, in libraries -where visitors are allowed to make copies, a small room fitted for -photographing, with an adjoining dark room, would be a convenience. -In the largest libraries copies might be made for users at their -cost.”—_Burgoyne._[354] - -Bernard R. Green writes me, from the Library of Congress, “Be sure to -emphasize conveniences for photographing and other processes of copying.” - -Dr. Garnett in Essays on Librarianship[355] argues that every first class -library should have a department to reproduce books and manuscripts by -photography, managed by an expert on permanent salary, with a complete -equipment. - -Burgoyne, in The Libr. Asso. Record,[356] wishes for public use in large -libraries “a room say 10 × 15 with north light, for making photographic -copies of prints and plates so that valuable books need not be taken from -the premises.” - -=Music.= Small libraries cannot afford a separate room for this use. -Such provision as is necessary can be made in the open access rooms or -near the desk. Bostwick remarks[357] that music is more valuable for -circulation than for reference, sheets of music, and collections, being -usually in quarto or small folio size. Duff-Brown advises[358] that it -be shelved with uprights only eighteen inches apart, so that volumes or -pieces will support each other. - -As the collection assumes an important size, and includes sets of opera -scores and assembled works, it may be given a separate room, or two small -rooms, with special wall shelving. It has become somewhat usual, in large -libraries, to put a piano here for trying scores, and phonographs for -repeating them. When this is done, the room or one of the rooms should, -of course, have perfectly sound-proof partitions, to shut off sound from -other departments. - -Provision of some kind must be considered for pianola rolls and -phonographic records. - -This department may well be assigned to an upper floor. It should, of -course, provide shelving for the literature of music. - -=Maps.= Any small library may have atlases, for which special shelving -must be provided. An economical provision can be made by putting flat -shelving under the table holding the catalog case. - -A separate room for this branch of literature, which includes bound -volumes, loose sheets, wall charts, globes, etc., is set aside only in -large libraries. It cannot be expected on the ground floor, but might be -on the same floor with Art, as it requires similar height, arrangement, -light, and access. - -Maps are kept in three forms, as in volumes (either coming in atlases, or -bound up by the library) or in loose sheets or on rollers. For volumes, -sliding, flat, and upright shelving will provide suitable stowage. -For sheet maps or charts, large, shallow wooden drawers in dust-proof -cases, sometimes with wooden flaps in front, are usual. Patent metallic -map-cases are better, but more expensive. A high room affords wall space -for such charts as can be read at a distance, and are frequently used. -Wall space from the floor up should be reserved for hanging maps. Andrews -and others recommend Jenkins’ Map Roller. For using maps in any form, -large tables in the centre of the room (trestle tables will do, to be -brought in when wanted), and sloping desks or ledges under the windows, -may be provided. - -As sufficient space for this department is often hard to spare, a good -location for it is at the end of a corridor. Here doors can be omitted, -and the corridor space can be taken into the room. The corridor wall -opposite windows is a fine place for hanging maps; the floor of the -corridor, for globes and the like. - -See C. W. Andrews,[359] Windsor,[360] Bostwick,[361] Duff-Brown,[362] -Champneys,[363] The Library Assistant, Vol. 8.[364] See also a fine view -of the Library of Congress map room in their 1901 report.[365] To show -how important a department this may become, and what room it may occupy, -take note that the Library of Congress has 2,600 atlases and 57,000 maps -and charts. - -=Education.= This is an important subject in large libraries, and may -even demand a separate room in smaller grades where there is much school -work done. - -A simple room of moderate size and height, simply furnished, with wall -shelving or floor cases for pedagogic literature will answer all purposes -for teachers, committees and interested citizens. - -Its position would best be near the school or children’s department, -using the same entrance. - -It might also be used for teachers with classes, for laying out and -sending out books to schools, or for a school reference department. - -Indeed, as all Art rooms may properly be grouped together and assigned to -the same floor, all rooms connected with children, schools, teachers, or -education should be shared, or grouped together with a common entrance, -corridor, or stairway. - -=Lectures.= There seems to be a difference of opinion in this country as -to the necessity or even the advisability of giving up space to assembly -rooms or lecture rooms. - -“In a small building an assembly room is a nuisance,” says Bostwick.[366] -See, however, his enumeration quoted under Rooms for Classes,[367] of the -uses to which an assembly room has been put in a St. Louis branch. - -In England, lecture rooms among progressive libraries are considered -essential.[368] - -It seems to me that a part of the basement, in all buildings which have -basements, can generally be spared for a fairly large room to be put to a -variety of uses, which even if not directly germane to the use of books, -are proper work for a neighborhood club, which is what the modern small -or branch library is coming to be. A fine room can be made under radial -bookcases. - -It is not necessary, or wise to have a sloping floor such as is used -in colleges or public halls; too much height would be wasted by the -slope. Nor need the platform be large or high;—a foot high, enough for -store-room under it, through trap doors, for such extra camp chairs as -are needed for audiences; with enough light, removable tables, and light -chairs for all uses to which the room might be put; a dead white wall -back of the platform, and such arrangements as would allow stereopticon -exhibitions; effective ventilation for a full room, even with the low -ceilings of a basement, and you have provision for many needs of a small -library. In larger buildings larger rooms may be provided, but always -such as could be used in various ways, at different hours of day or night. - -Six square feet, Duff-Brown[369] and Champneys[370] consider enough -to allow for every auditor, including seats, gangways and platforms. -Marvin[371] says the same, but does not include platform. - -For the use of audiences, while the rest of the library is working, there -should be a separate outside door or wide door into a corridor directly -communicating with the outside. - -As such rooms are not so much used for reading, and are not high in the -walls, light fixtures need not be so numerous or powerful. - -=Exhibitions.= Where funds are scant, I doubt whether it is best to -provide an art gallery for permanent or occasional exhibitions of -pictures, with the necessary disposition of lights. But in sizable -buildings, a large room can be spared for exhibitions directly or -indirectly connected with books, and such a room can be so fitted up as -to receive busts, statues and pictures presented to the library. - -The center of the top floor of the main building offers an excellent -position for a large room for exhibition purposes, with daylight from the -roof. If suitable wall material and covers are provided as background -for pictures, with picture mouldings and with glass cases for the floor, -it is ready for showing specimens of printing or binding, rare books, -manuscripts, or prints and engravings. - -As such an apartment would not be used for reading, it may be a common -corridor for many rooms opening around it, which are devoted partly -to exhibition, partly to consultation; for instance, art, music and -maps. Thus arranged, the top floor would segregate many functions which -elsewhere might interfere with the quiet of readers; and would provide -most agreeable conversation facilities. - -=Pamphlets.= In many libraries gifts of pamphlets are received, which -cannot be separately catalogued at once. It is sometimes necessary to let -them accumulate until time is found to assort them, decide what to keep -and what to give away, what to bind and what to file in pamphlet boxes. -In small libraries they can be kept temporarily in closets. In large -libraries they often assume such bulk as will fill a room. Their stay in -this form is so temporary that the room assigned can be remote (in the -attic, for instance, of an old house), and very plain, not even finished, -except for such light as will be needed in sorting and such heating as -will keep workers comfortable. - -Trestle tables, kitchen chairs, rough fixed wooden wall or floor -shelving, will answer all purposes, and save money for use elsewhere. -When the pamphlets are boxed or made ready for binding, they need not -return here, but may find their places elsewhere in the stack or special -rooms. - -=Bound Serials.= Except a few serials which cover only special subjects, -these are usually kept together, for general magazines in use are -somewhat like encyclopædias. They are perhaps more readable, but are -not often used for reading; rather for reference through Poole and other -indexes. In any considerable collection they occupy so much shelf room -that they will soon fill a large room by themselves, and they are so kept -in many libraries. In the Library of Congress there are 123,805 volumes -of bound periodicals, 68,127 of them “general.”[372] If placed in the -stack, the basement is a good assignment for them, for various reasons. -If they are to have a room elsewhere it can be anywhere available; -with wooden floor cases (movable shelves) and plain walls and ceiling -so colored as to reflect light. As they are often heavy and awkward to -handle, and as readers may want to give them a first examination on the -spot, tables at one side of the room and carrels in the windows will -facilitate use. - -Sets of society publications are often kept in the same room with these -serials. - -=Bound Newspapers.= These require different storage. Small libraries -will have to keep what they get, as they keep atlases and other folios. -Growing libraries which have fireproof vaults will want to keep valuable -local files there. Larger libraries with many newspapers must settle just -how to keep them. It is not wise, even not possible, to set such heavy -folios on end; they must be kept flat on the shelves. At first, economy -may require using plain wooden shelves of special measurements, laying -two or three folios on their sides on each shelf. But if there is much -use of the papers, handling them in this way is difficult for readers -and injurious to the folios. As soon as money can be spared, proper -conservation and convenience require metallic roller shelves, which -specialists will furnish. Those in the Massachusetts State Library have -been found very satisfactory. - -Champneys[373] advises “very rough and ready storage; special rooms with -open racks; magazines around the walls, newspapers in the center.” - -=Special Collections.= “Large libraries are apt to receive gifts, to be -kept apart, either from direction or policy.”—(_Winsor._[374]) “A large -library never has enough rooms for them.”—(_Poole._[375]) Fletcher[376] -speaks of the numerous gifts to libraries to buy books in some special -department, giving a list of eighty-two subjects of such benefactions, -with the names of recipient libraries, summarized from Lane and Bolton’s -Harvard Bibliographical Contributions. The Library of Congress Report -of 1901[377] gives a list of over one hundred and fifty subjects for -separate rooms. Duff-Brown[378] mentions many English special collections. - -Where the donations or bequests are generous, it is customary to set -aside separate rooms named for the donor, to books thus given. As -such libraries are not often for popular reading, but are used mainly -by special students, they may be assigned to upper floors. Gratitude -suggests that they be treated more ornately than the stack, or the -general reading rooms, and in such suites, indeed, there is opportunity -for an artistic architect to get noble effects without extravagant -expenditure. Wall shelving is appropriate, or even alcoves, for their -idea is like that of private or club libraries. Floor cases or special -stacks of less severe plainness than must be used elsewhere, are needed -as the collections become so large as to require close packing. - -The local librarian can tell how many such rooms are needed for the -collections already set aside, but how many to anticipate in building -is hard for anyone to say. Rooms or floors may be reserved, and marked -“unassigned,” but experience shows that such spare spaces are usually -wanted for some growth before the new building is completed. - -=Information.= In small libraries there is some attendant at the -general delivery desk who can answer miscellaneous questions. In larger -libraries, this duty is often assigned to one of the staff occupying a -separate desk near the delivery or the public catalog, or supervising the -reading room. In large libraries the Providence example is good, where a -counter on one side of the large delivery hall is set aside for this use, -with its special collection of reference books handy. Only in very large -buildings is a separate room necessary and even then it will generally -be better to use a small room near the vestibule, or a nook, or niche or -counter, wherever most convenient for the public to inquire and where it -interferes least with other uses. - -=Conversation.= Strict quiet is so necessary in reading rooms, and -talking has to be discouraged so much in most of the building, that a -large library ought to have some place when staff or visitors can be -allowed a chance to talk when they must. Corridors are usually free from -restraint, but it is not often possible to find seats there, or secure -privacy. Vestibules and lobbies, however, are never needed for reading, -and even if used for exhibitions, can allow more or less comfortable -seats, so arranged in window nooks or recesses as to afford quiet corners -for conversation. The crossing of corridors, or room under a dome (if -such an architectural misfortune happens) can be utilized for this -purpose; indeed, any vacant spaces on the floor plans, such as abound -in many buildings, can be used for exhibition, decoration, information, -conversation, even perhaps for smoking,—any diversions outside of reading -which readers might like. - -Miss Marvin[379] wants, even in small libraries, “a room in which -conversation may be allowed, for the use of committees and for adults who -meet at the library by appointment.” - -“Conversation rooms,” says Champneys,[380] “may certainly be introduced -in large libraries, and their presence has the advantage of being a -continual reminder that conversation is not permitted in the reading -rooms. In small libraries ... the addition of a large room which can be -used for committee meetings, lectures, exhibitions, and a variety of -other purposes, cannot but be recommended.” - -In other words, talk can be allowed in lecture or exhibition rooms. - -Staff talk is well provided for in any library in the staff work and rest -rooms. Subdued talk about books might be allowed in reference rooms or -open access rooms. This, with freedom to talk in halls and vestibules, -may preclude necessity for a separate conversation room even in large -libraries. - -=Unassigned.= Notwithstanding this list of special rooms required, -including most of the uses which can be foreseen, there is always -opportunity in a progressive library, for more space still to be used, -either in enlarging departments, or in establishing new ones. In -planning, the wise way is to include specific assignment of space or -rooms to all existing departments, and such others as seem to be on the -lines of probable development, but also to get more room still, to be -marked “unassigned.” It will be taken up sooner than anyone anticipates. -Indeed, as has been already said, there are many instances, where the -spare space left “unassigned” in planning has been claimed even before -the building is finished. - -Instead of having lofty rooms, it is always best to divide the height -of a library into as many floors as possible, making none loftier -than actual use will require for light and ventilation. Never allow -superfluous height of rooms or stories for architectural effect, outside -or inside. Only by watching and limiting waste of space, in breadth, -length or height, can you get the maximum of opportunity out of money -you spend, or be able to get either all the departments you want or -unassigned room additional. - -If basement or cellar is not all taken up with your assignment of -departments and rooms, underdrain and line the foundations carefully, and -provide for such future features as duplicates, public documents, or rows -of sliding cases for close packing of less used books. - - -PART IV - -FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT - -I have mentioned these already under different headings, where they -materially affected the size, shape, lighting, or situation of rooms. -I shall not go into an enumeration or description of different outfit, -because there are so many specialists, so many tastes, so many systems -in different libraries, that selection of the latest and best devices -offered by dealers accessible to the librarian is very easy. But a few -general remarks on one or two articles, may properly be included in a -general discussion on planning. - -In the first place, never allow the furniture, fixtures or fittings -to be chosen primarily for architectural effect, but for special use -and fitness in every detail. In material, in shape, in hue, have them -harmonize with the surroundings, for in such harmony lies the most -effective and the least expensive beauty. Here, the taste of the -architect can be of the utmost assistance. But, if possible, bar out what -has been called “architectural” furniture, even if money can be spared -for it. Heavy show-pieces, hard to move, hard to use, inconvenient, -uncomfortable, wasteful of space, are an abomination in any library. - -As to proportion of expenditure, Duff-Brown[381] allows eighteen per cent -of total cost for fittings and furniture. He suggests, however, that -fittings which are fixtures should be counted as part of the permanent -structure. Perhaps this qualification explains the different estimate of -Champneys,[382] who allows only ten per cent for furniture. - -Bostwick[383] also recommends that fixtures be included in the general -contract, and movables (which he specifies) be bought separately. He -makes an excellent suggestion, that where this is done, a piece of the -material to be matched, in its finished form, be sawed in two, and one -piece handed to each contractor, so that the furniture and fixtures will -match exactly. How important this is will be realized at many libraries, -where the tint of fittings meant to match, often “swears.” - -Miss Ahern, editor of Public Libraries, writes to me, in answer to an -inquiry:— - -“I believe in putting technical equipment outside the lines of library -building and architecture. A builder cannot make it as well as a -specialist in library equipment.” - -My experience leads me to endorse her advice most heartily. I would say -further, what she probably modestly refrains from saying, on account -of her business connections, I would get the catalogues of The Library -Bureau, ask and take their advice, and give them the preference where -their prices are as low. I say this (I have not even an acquaintance -with their present management) because theirs was the first attempt to -serve libraries on this line intelligently, and I have understood that -many years of altruistic experiment, advised by good librarians, were -spent before they even met their expenses; so that their services merit a -reward. - -Miss Marvin[384] gives a “Typical List of Furniture” for a small -building, with prices ruling in her section at the time she wrote. She -fears, however, that she may have erred toward too great economy, “cheap -furniture being unsightly as well as unprofitable as an investment.” - -One matter apparently often forgotten in planning is the matching or -contrasts of color, furniture as well as woodwork, shelving, and walls -and lamp shades. Not only is the general cheer and comfort of the library -secured by harmonious environment, but eyesight is deeply concerned in -soft and soothing effects. Here observation and taste may effect wonders -in planning for both “utilitas” and “venustas.” - - -Tables - -These deserve a separate chapter; they are used everywhere. - -“Good, plain, solid,” epitomizes Champneys.[385] - -“Use small tables and light chairs instead of the large heavy tables and -‘artistic’ chairs, conformed to the style of the building, but awkward in -use.”—_Fletcher._[386] - -“The old style of long tables is now thought cumbersome,” says -Bostwick.[387] This I endorse, though architects prefer large tables in -large rooms, as more in proportion. He advises small, rectangular or -circular tables for not more than six readers each. I doubt the circular -in libraries where space is scant. They waste room. - -“Should not be too long, or if double not too narrow.”—_Duff-Brown._[388] - -“Tables for four give readers a feeling of privacy.”—_Eastman._ - -For this reason I rather incline to slightly sloping desks for two, like -school desks, in reading rooms; all facing one way; all with a low back -and sides, with a fillet at the front, to keep books and papers from -falling; with extension slides or trough drawers for open books at each -side of each reader. This form, it seems to me, combines a minimum of -space for desk and passages, with a maximum of convenience and seclusion -for readers. In the hours when the room was not thronged, there would -be a desk to a reader. If the desks were rightly faced and the windows -and lamps well arranged, no reader need have direct rays of light in his -eyes, nor dazzling reflection from his paper. - -As regards height of tables and space to a reader, see Eastman,[389] -Marvin,[390] Bostwick,[391] Champneys,[392] Duff-Brown[393] and -Carr.[394] They differ slightly, and each librarian would best experiment -and judge for himself. - -The British Museum has a kind of voting booth for each reader, with 4 -feet 2 inches width of desk, high back and side screens for privacy. -Cornell has something similar, but most libraries cannot afford so much -space or such provisions for privacy. - -Polished tops for tables (glass tops are sometimes inset) promote -cleanliness, but are apt to give dazzling reflections of light. - -One general caution echoed by many authorities warns against bottom cross -rails between table legs. The scraping of readers’ feet against them is -noisy, drops mud on the floor, and soon wears down the rails. - -Many libraries have umbrella racks at the end of the tables, and here -the owners can certainly have an eye on them. But if a coat room cannot -be provided with an umbrella stand, cannot such a self-locking rack be -placed in a lobby, as is seen in many restaurants? - -Umbrellas are damp and unsightly as neighbors, and they occupy space -readers might use. - -“Readers’ tables should invariably have hinged flaps for writing, and -slides to be drawn out to enlarge book space. - -“There should be standing desks also.”—_Edwards_, Free Town -Libraries.[395] - -Perhaps there was a demand by readers for standing desks in England forty -years ago when Edwards wrote, but few people want to stand now in America -while reading or writing. A fixed standing ledge against any vacant -stretch of wall near directories, dictionaries or the like, might be a -convenience. - - -Chairs - -Chairs are an important element in comfort. Strong enough for rough and -constant use they must be. Graceful, or at least not ungainly, they ought -to be and in most libraries they cannot be superfluously large. Indeed, -there are many places where room can be saved by using stools, even fixed -revolving stools. In some places armchairs (simple, not upholstered) will -make readers more comfortable. For instance, in places where they can -take up a book or magazine while reading and lean on the arms. Where a -table is used to lay the book on, armchairs are not necessary, and they -always need more room than plain chairs. - -For a small library, the simplest kind of strong, bent-wood chairs -suffice. Wood “saddle” seats, or rattan, are recommended rather than any -upholstery, in larger libraries. To prevent noise, rubber tips to shoe -the legs—the kind that screw in rather than slip on, are recommended. - -Where there is no special coat room, hat racks underneath and such -wire coat racks on the back, as are often used on theatre seats, are -conveniences. Mr. Foster has these in the Providence Public Library, but -he tells me they are not much used. - -Chairs look better if they match each other, the tables, and the -shelving, in material, style and color. - -In planning it is wise after you have decided how many seats you want -in each room, to have the architect sketch a floor plan and draw in -shelving, tables and chairs, allotting to all the space which experience -has taught is required for each reader in each room, as you intend to -run it; and then carefully study the positions of the furniture and the -dimensions of all the passages, checking results by examination of plans -and visits to libraries which you think are satisfactory, until you are -satisfied that you have reached the maximum of convenience with a minimum -waste of space. A few hours’ time spent in this apparently trivial matter -may mean much in ease of administration for years to come. - - -Delivery Desks - -In the very small library, where every expense must be watched, all the -furniture may have to be of common shapes and material, such as can be -bought at the nearest furniture store. But as soon as any necessary -luxury can be afforded, build or buy a specially designed charging and -delivery desk, for this is the center and heart of almost all libraries -of any size or any class. Do not have it built by a local carpenter, but -wait until you can buy it from an experienced cabinet maker, or better, -from a first-class library fittings expert. Study catalogs and plans to -see what comes nearest to your needs and methods. If you find within your -means a model which entirely suits you, get it. But if using of that or -other makes of desks, or trying your own methods, or suggestions of other -librarians, have led you to think that some modifications would suit -better, it will not cost much more to have them made in the style which -otherwise pleases you. Indeed, if your wants are wise, you will find -that a dealer may meet them without extra charge, in the hope that his -desk will thus commend itself to other librarians. Only by this gradual -study put into form by clever librarians, can the ideal desk be gradually -evolved. - -See articles in the Library Journal, 19, 368; 21, 324; 22 (Conf.). - -See dimensions, Carr, 18 L. J. 225, Duff-Brown 105. - -From the foregoing remarks on points of contact between library and -public it will be seen that many of these are localized at a single -point—the loan desk. “This point may be regarded as the heart of a public -circulating library.”—_Bostwick._[396] - -“_It may happen that the position and size of this desk may -determine in conspicuous particulars the character of the whole -building._”—_Idem._[397] - - -Catalog Cases - -As the card system has been so universally adopted in America, and worked -out to such standards of size that the most convenient makes, dimensions -and sizes of cases for every grade of library are kept in the market in -all large cities, there is no need of describing them here. But I would -make some suggestions as to how they may influence planning. - -Cases for small libraries may not need a special base, but can be used -on any table, flat desk or ledge. As the library grows, it needs more -cases, and a special base, such as all makers furnish, may be wanted. -As cards, like books, are more easily used when they can be seen by the -reader without craning or stooping, their increase is better met by -broadening than by piling up, until wall space fails. In the first form -of base used, it is better to utilize the space under the table, not so -much in the cupboards or open spaces suggested in some catalogs, as in -the upright or flat shelving of the quartos or folios (such as atlases) -not handled so often as to interfere seriously with use of the cards, the -primary purpose of the cases. This space beneath should certainly be put -to some use wherever space is precious. - -One form of catalog case frequently used is double-faced, set in the -partition between the delivery room and the cataloguer’s room, the -drawers pulling both ways, so that they can be used alternately in either -room. - -In planning, the first thing is to calculate how many cards, drawers -and cases are needed for the number of books now in the library, and -the annual increase probable, for at least ten years ahead; better -twenty-five years, if there is wall or floor room which will be vacant -that long. Then comes the very important decision, vitally affecting -the size of the room, perhaps its location, and the disposition of the -windows and lights; namely, where is the best possible location for the -catalog, considering accessibility, supervision and help? Provision for -growth can be lateral or up and down, or both. When the drawers get to be -more than three or four in a tier, some provision must be made in front -of or beside them for a ledge or narrow table on which they can be laid -when taken out for inspection. In small libraries the combined catalog -case and atlas rack can be built so that the table will form a ledge on -all sides, for this use, without other provision. - -Good location and light for the public catalog make one test of the -excellence of your plan. - - -Bulletin Boards - -One thing often forgotten in planning is to leave available wall space -where necessary bulletins can be hung and easily read,—a practical detail -not always seen by the artistic eye. Everyone has seen dome and rotunda -libraries, all columns and no wall. - -In planning, however, it is not hard to assign opportunities in spaces -sufficiently well lighted, but of no use otherwise, for hanging bulletin -boards, or so treating walls as to serve that purpose without special -boards. Lobbies, vestibules, corridors, stairways, spacious delivery -rooms, even railings outside, invite such use. In England, want-lists are -cut out from the daily papers, mounted on boards, and thus hung outside -the library for inspection by the unemployed. - -Places for bulletins should also consider—they do not always—near-sighted -people, and the undersized. Even in such unprosaic matters, careful -planning in every phase can promote the usefulness of the library. I -remember being shown about a new dome library in the west, where the -librarian turned in distress and asked, “Do tell me _where_ I can put -up my bulletins or lists.” The only thing I could suggest was that she -should get her architect to design a Parisian kiosk, to be set in the -centre of the useless floor space, under the wasted heights of the dome; -and use the exterior of the kiosk for bulletins, the interior for the -brooms, for which no closet had been provided. - -Miss Marvin[398] suggests spaces over radiators, shelves, periodical -cases, and book bins. An ordinary screen, like those used in bar-rooms -in any “wide-open” town, placed in the center of vestibule or hall would -offer two sides for lists and bulletins posted at any convenient height. - -If you have seen how masts going up through the cabins of river boats or -coasters are backed with mirrors, you have a hint where to put bulletin -boards in buildings on which columns have been inflicted. - - -Other Fittings - -These vary so much with the grades and classes of libraries, they change -so much as inventions are made from time to time, that I go into no -further details here, but advise librarians who build to examine each -item they want to use, in the light of the last improvements and the -experience of fellow-librarians. - -[Burgoyne gives thirty-two pages, illustrated, to English devices.] - -Clocks, thermometers and barometers are especially recommended by -Duff-Brown.[399] Clocks (noiseless) will be useful in many rooms, also -thermometers, but we do not watch barometers so much in the United States -as our English cousins do. - -A page in your note book devoted to furniture and gear, when you start -out on a reconnoissance among other libraries, will fix many fleeting -impressions which may come into use later. - -And in your trips may sharp eyes and keen common sense travel with you! - - - - -F. - -APPENDIX - -_In this Appendix are printed quotations from the outlines for planning -two of the largest of recent libraries, both public._ - - - - -F. - -APPENDIX - - -CONCRETE EXAMPLES - -By permission of the librarians of the New York Public Library and of -the Brooklyn Public Library, I print here extracts from their respective -“Terms of Competition” (already printed in pamphlet form) for the -building just completed, and “General Suggestions to the Architect” for -the building soon to be erected. The latter, hitherto unpublished, is -very full, and is cross referenced and annotated, therefore likely to -prove especially helpful. - -I thus present practical details of the planning of two large recent -American library buildings, in the hope of throwing a fresh light on the -problems I have treated. - -It will be noticed that one of these libraries was built after an -architectural competition; the other has been planned, and will be built, -after the method preferred in this book, selection of the architect at -the outset, without competition. - -Librarians, architects and building committees about to plan a very large -library may review their subject in these summaries; and those engaged -in less extensive plans may select the rooms and combinations which meet -their own needs. - -The side headings and italics are mine. - - C. C. S. - - -TERMS OF COMPETITION - -THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY - -Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations. - -=Plan of Competition.= In May, 1897, the Committee announced that it -proposed to obtain plans by means of two consecutive competitions. An -open competition was to be first held. The Committee was then to choose -from the authors of the twelve most meritorious sketches certain of the -competitors, not more than six in number; and the persons thus selected, -with not more than six other persons or firms thereafter to be named by -the Committee, were to be invited to take part in a second restricted and -paid competition. - -=Cost and Jury.= Each of the competitors will be paid $800, as the -estimated cost to them of the drawings required. - -The drawings will be judged by a jury of seven persons consisting of -three practising architects to be selected by the competitors themselves, -three members of the Board of Trustees to be hereafter named by the -Board, and the Director of the New York Public Library. - -=Experts.= The Trustees also reserve the right of appointing consulting -engineers to whom all construction drawings and all drawings relating -to heating, ventilation and electrical apparatus shall be submitted for -approval before they are carried into execution. - -=Plans to File.= The architect shall furnish to the Trustees, upon -completion of the building, a full set of drawings exhibiting all -essential particulars of its design and construction, for future -reference. - -=Light.= All rooms used by the public or for clerical purposes must -have as much daylight as possible. The windows should run nearly to the -ceilings, and in the reading rooms should not come within five feet of -the floor. They should be large and little obstructed by framework. - -The book stacks also should receive as much daylight as possible; but it -is not expected entirely to dispense with the use of artificial light in -the book stacks. - -=Heat and Air.= The building should be heated by steam applied in part -through hot water, and at least 1,500 cubic feet of fresh air per person -per hour, for all occupied rooms must be warmed, introduced and properly -distributed by mechanical means, and flues must be provided of such size -that a velocity of 6 feet per second will furnish the above amount. - -=Material.= The floors in the main halls, corridors and exhibition rooms -are to be of marble, tile or mosaic; in the Trustees’ and Director’s -Rooms of wood or parquetry; and in the book stacks of white marble slabs. -In the Reading Rooms and Administration Rooms the floors may be of brick -or concrete, as they will be covered with a thick cork carpet or other -noiseless material. - -The building must be thoroughly fireproof. - -For the purposes of this competition it is to be assumed that the -building will be constructed of masonry, except the book-stacks; that -the so-called skeleton construction of iron will not be employed; and -that the external walls will be faced with Indiana limestone—although, as -hereinafter stated, that material may not be finally adopted. - -The Trustees are advised that the majority of librarians regard brick as -the best material from a practical point of view, and the competitors are -invited to say whether in their judgment it can be so used as to secure -for this building the dignity and monumental character that is desired. - -It is believed that ample opportunity will exist for architectural and -decorative effect; but it is desired that the Reading Rooms at least -should be plainly treated. - -=Tentative Plans.= In instituting, in the month of May, a Preliminary -Competition under substantially the same requirements, the Trustees -submitted a set of diagrams showing a tentative arrangement which was -suggested as a possible solution of the problem, but one for which they -entertained no special prepossessions. The important features of the -interior as there shown, placed the main reading rooms on the third -floor, and the book-stacks immediately below them along the west front -of the building. This plan, which embodied the results of considerable -study, has since then been subjected to the critical examination of -the leading librarians of the country, and has also been carefully -reconsidered by the Committee and their professional advisers in the -light of the abundant illustration afforded by the plans submitted in the -Preliminary Competition. - -=Details.= The Lending Department must be distant from the reading rooms, -and must be provided with easy and direct access from the street. The -Children’s Room, and the Periodical and Newspaper Rooms, must be provided -with similar easy access and should probably be on the first floor. The -Accession Department must have direct communication with that portion of -the main stack which is on the same level, and also with the catalogue -room—either directly or by means of a lift. The delivery desk in the -public reading rooms must be central and so situated as to overlook each -of the large public reading rooms. The machinery for bringing books from -the stacks must be as direct and simple as possible. - -=Stacks.= The book stacks occupy two stories and the basement and have -the Reading Rooms in a third story above them. This arrangement gives -the Reading Rooms the maximum amount of light, brings the stacks into -easy and direct communication with them, and allows of the extension of -the building towards the west at some future day, by enlarging both the -stacks and the Reading Rooms simultaneously and proportionately, with a -comparatively small enlargement of the portions of the building devoted -to administrative and other uses. - -=Working-rooms.= The administration is concentrated on the south side of -the building. A private entrance for the use of employees is provided, -and also a driveway from the street to admit of the passage of carts -containing books or stores. The boilers, engines, dynamos and coal vaults -are placed outside of the building and below the level of the 40th -Street sidewalk. In the basement near the driveway are the storerooms, -book-bindery, printing room, and rooms for packing and exchanging books -and for issuing them to branch libraries. Above are receiving rooms for -books, accessions department, cataloguing room, and order and checking -department. Between the administrative part of the building and the part -open to the public, come the rooms for the Director and the Trustees. - -In the basement, near the Forty-second Street entrance, which will be -approximately on a level with the sidewalk, is the delivery room for the -Lending Department, running up into the first story. It is next to the -book stacks, and occupies the lower part of the northern area or open -court, and is lighted from above. - -=Floors.= The different floors of the building are to coincide with the -level of the floors of the book stacks. The floors of the book stacks -are to be seven feet and six inches apart, from top to top. The basement -and second stories of the building will accordingly be fifteen feet in -height, from floor to floor, being two stacks high; and the first story -will be twenty-two feet and six inches, or three stacks in height. -The smaller rooms in the first story may have rooms over them in a -mezzanine. The floor of the basement story will be a step or two above -the 42d Street sidewalk at the entrance. - -=Conditions.= The arrangement of rooms in the basement on the southwest -corner, above indicated, permits the packing and ready distribution of -books for the lending branches to be hereafter established. The central -portion of the basement between the two courts affords a suitable -location for the ventilating machinery of the building. The special -reading rooms for students on the second and third floors, while in easy -communication with the main stack, are removed from the main reading -rooms and from the portion of the building most frequented by the public. -The main reading rooms on the third story are removed from dust and -noise, and enjoy the best form of light from above. _It is considered -preferable not to have the rooms very lofty_, and the skylights should -be large so as to diffuse the light as much as possible. _Domes are -accordingly not desired._ - -=Stack Light.= The arrangement of the stacks affords a reasonable amount -of light, and does not make the stacks wholly dependent on artificial -light, which will be expensive and in other respects objectionable. - - -SCHEDULE OF ROOMS. - -A. - -Reading Rooms Freely Open to the Public. - - I. Main Reading Rooms. In the main public reading rooms space - for at least 800 readers will be required, with an allowance of - 30 sq. ft. per reader, exclusive of space required for catalogs - and reference shelving, or about 26,800 square feet in all. - - This space should be divided into three rooms, so arranged that - only one need be used at a time, but that all can readily be - served from one delivery counter, which should be central and - close to the main stacks. - - There should be at least 3,500 feet (linear) of shelving for - free reference books in these rooms and the Card Catalogue, - occupying at least 150 sq. ft., must be provided for near the - delivery desk. - - In all the reading rooms and wherever else it is required, - shelving must not be more than seven shelves in height. - This gives seven feet of shelving for each running foot of - wall-space. Where there is not enough wall-space for the amount - of shelving called for, stacks of double shelves, back to back, - may be employed, either projecting from the walls, or standing - free in the room. - - The ceilings of the reading rooms should be kept as low as is - consistent with pleasing proportions. There should be no waste - spaces to be heated and kept clean. - - It is not desired that these reading rooms should be show rooms - so as to attract sight-seers. - - II. Periodical Room, 4,000 sq. ft.; 1,500 linear feet of - shelving. This room must be upon the first floor. - - III. Newspaper Room, about 4,000 sq. ft. area, on first floor. - Store room for bound newspapers adjacent, either in main stack - or separate room. - - IV. Patents Room, 2,500 feet of shelving; 25 readers, 3,500 sq. - ft. - - V. Public Document Rooms, 4,000 sq. ft. - - VI. Children’s Room, 4,000 sq. ft.; 1,000 feet of shelving; 80 - readers. - - VII. Library for the Blind, 800 sq. ft.; 20 readers; 225 feet - of shelving; on first floor. - -B. - -Reading Rooms for Scholars and Special Students. - -(Admission by card.) - - VIII. Special Reading Rooms, 5 or 6 rooms, each with 1,000 to - 1,500 feet of shelving; and from 1,800 to 2,000 sq. ft.; on - second and third floors. - - IX. Manuscript Department, 1 store room, 800 sq. ft.; 1 reading - room for 6 readers, 340 sq. ft.; 1 librarian’s room, 340 sq. ft. - - X. Music Room, 1,600 feet of shelving; 800 sq. ft. - - XI. Bible Room, 1,000 feet of shelving; 800 sq. ft.; 6 readers. - - XII. Map Room, 1,000 sq. ft. - - XIII. Special Work Rooms for special students, 8 rooms, each - 150 sq. ft. with 100 linear feet of shelving. - -C. - -Lending Department. - - XIV. Lending Delivery Room. Delivery counter at least 60 feet - long; seats for 150 waiting; 2,000 feet of shelving; catalog - space; bulletin boards; about 16,000 sq. ft. Small reference - collection here. - - The stack of books in this room should be close to the main - stack, and have machine communication with the delivery desks - in the main reading rooms. Basement floor. - -D. - -Exhibition Rooms Open to the Public. - - XV. Picture Gallery, 5,000 sq. ft. (The Lenox Gallery is 40 ft. - × 56 ft.) - - XVI. Stuart Collection Room, 5,000 sq. ft., must be on same - floor with the Picture Gallery and with easy access to main - Reading Room. - - XVII. An Exhibition Room for the History of Printing, etc., - 4,000 sq. ft. May be on the first story, and some smaller rooms - for the same purpose may be provided on the third story. - -E. - -Administrative Rooms not Open to the Public. - - XVIII. Trustees’ Room, 800 sq. ft., near the Director’s rooms, - with a large safe for the Secretary, and open fireplace. - - XIX. Director’s Rooms. 1 office, 900 sq. ft.; 1 private room - with lavatory, 600 sq. ft. Near to Trustees’ Room; also to - Order Room. Open fireplaces. - - This must come between the Public and the Administrative part. - - XX. Order Department, 2,600 sq. ft.; 300 feet of shelving. - Between Director’s Office and Cataloguing Room. - - XXI. Cataloguing Room, 2,800 sq, ft.; 1,000 feet of shelving. - To connect easily with Order Room, Receiving Room, Accessions - Room and Stacks and Printing Office. Cloak Room and Lavatory - for Women appended. - - XXII. Accessions Department, 1,800 sq. ft.; 150 feet of - shelving. To connect with Cataloguing Room and with Stacks. - - XXIII. Receiving and Checking Room for Books, 1,500 sq. ft.; - 600 feet of shelving. To connect with Packing and Delivery - Rooms, and with Cataloguing Room, by elevator. - - XXIV. Packing and Delivery Room, 500 feet of shelving. On - driveway; easy connection with Receiving Room and with - Duplicate Room; also with store-room for boxes in cellar. 3,600 - sq. ft. - - XXV. Duplicate and Exchange Room, 50 ft. × 60 ft.; 3,000 sq. - ft.; 4,000 linear feet of shelving; may be in base of stack. - Easy connection with Packing Room. - - XXVI. Main Stack Room for 1,500,000 Volumes; 187,500 linear - feet of shelving. This amount of shelving (allowing for proper - ventilating arrangements and dust tubes) can be contained in - six tiers of stacks, each tier being 240 ft. × 75 ft. with - 5-foot corridor all around, 5-foot corridor on long axis, and - 15-foot corridor on short axis, straight stairs at ends and at - centre. Stacks 5 ft. between centres, 7 ft. 6 in. in height; - ends of stacks 5 ft. from windows. - - XXVII. Binding Department. 2,400 sq. ft., with Stock Room 250 - sq. ft. Furnace flue required. - - XXVIII. Printing Office, 1,200 sq. ft. Stock Room, 200 sq. ft. - Furnace flue required. - - XXVII and XXVIII to be on south front, next each other, with - small dumb waiter connection with Cataloguing Room and separate - chimney flues. - - XXIX. Business Superintendent’s Office, 400 sq. ft., two rooms, - safe in one. - - XXX. Photograph Rooms 500 sq. ft. Top floor. Skylight to North. - Dark room. Printing room. - - XXXI. Lunch Rooms, one for boys and attendants; one for - librarians and assistant librarians, etc. Basement, 800 sq. ft. - Chimney flue. - - XXXII. Class Room, to seat about 150; 850 sq. ft. To be near - the Director’s Room. - - XXXIII. Stock and Store Room, general. 400 sq. ft. - - XXXIV. Eight or Ten Rooms, of about 200 sq. ft. each, for store - rooms and special work rooms = 1,600 sq. ft. One for scrub - women. - - XXXV. Central Telephone Office for the house. - - XXXVI. Engineer’s Department. Boiler rooms; Dynamo room; - Work-shop; Engine room; Living rooms for Janitor—30,000 sq. ft. - - XXXVII. Boilers, Engines and Dynamos to be outside the - building, in vault about 120 ft. × 40 ft., south of building - and near its S. W. corner, with coal vaults extending beneath - sidewalk. - - XXXVIII. Dust Tubes and Closets, with electric fans; to be - arranged in stacks, and for open reference shelves. - -F. - -Miscellaneous. - - XXXIX. Two Reception Rooms. One for staff, 600 sq. ft. One for - visitors, 600 sq. ft. - - XL. Women’s Room, 200 sq. ft., with lavatory, on third floor. - - XLI. Two Cloak and Parcel and Bicycle Rooms, 600 sq. ft. each, - near Forty-second Street entrance. - - XLII. Public Telephone Room, 60 sq. ft. Main Hall. - - XLIII. Public Lavatories and W. C. Two in the Basement and two - on the 3d Floor. - - Staff lavatories and W. C. are to be provided, two in basement, - four on second floor. - - There must be wash-stands in or near children’s room, - cataloguer’s room, packing room and receiving room, arranged on - the main lines of plumbing. - - XLIV. Elevators, two or more, for use of public in Main Hall. - One in Administrative portion. Book lifts. - - -BROOKLYN PUBLIC LIBRARY CENTRAL BUILDING. - -GENERAL SUGGESTIONS TO THE ARCHITECT. - -=General.= These suggestions are intended for the purpose of assisting -the Architect in working out his plans, and in no way to hamper him. It -is possible the Architect may find a different arrangement of rooms more -suitable to the building which he plans, and while it is desirable that -he conform as nearly as possible to the suggested arrangement it is not -necessary to follow it closely. - -=Estimates.= In submitting preliminary plans the approximate cost in the -shape of estimate from at least three reputable builders should be given -exclusive of heating, lighting, ventilation, book stacks and all fixed -furniture. - -=Guides.= The number of stories should include sub-basement, basement, -and as many stories above the ground as will comport with the Memorial -Arch and surrounding buildings, providing at the same time adequate -capacity for the needs of a Central Library Building. Your attention is -called to the report of the Consulting Architect, Prof. A. D. F. Hamlin -to the Central Building Committee under date of March 25, 1905; and of -the reports of Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr., made to the Brooklyn League -under date of October, 1905, and of Messrs. Carrere and Hastings to the -Mayor of New York, under date of November, 1905, and _the comparative -table of accommodations of various library buildings as prepared by -the Brooklyn Public Library._ All these documents should be studied -preliminary to the preparation of plans. - -=Requisites.= _Architectural effect should be subordinate to utility -and convenience._ Consideration should be given to the probabilities of -extensions to the building. - -The prime essentials for the library building are light and ventilation. -The building should be lighted on all sides by natural light. Walls which -face open courts should be of light colored material. - -The building should be thoroughly fireproof. - -The whole building is to be piped and wired for both gas and electric -lighting. - -The decoration of the reading rooms should be very simple. - -Wall space should not be occupied by heating pipes. - -All halls and stairways should be ample and well lighted. - -The dimensions given may be considerably varied provided they are not -materially reduced. All rooms should be so planned as to provide wall -shelving 3 feet in the clear without loss of space and without any -architectural obstruction. - -Grouping of Rooms According to Use. - - (_a_) Public rooms. - (_b_) Work rooms. - (_c_) Executive rooms. - (_d_) Stack. - (_e_) Mechanical service. - -A. PUBLIC ROOMS. - - Children’s room. - Delivery room (Circulation Dept.). - Registration room. - Reading Rooms - (_a_) Reference. - 1. General. - 2. Statistical Dept. - 3. Patents. - 4. Music. - 5. Art books. - 5_a_. Bell collection. - 6. Manuscripts. - 7. Maps. - 8. Public documents. - 9. Restricted and rare books. - 10. Prints room. - 11. Photograph room. - (_b_) Periodicals. - 1. General. - 2. Scientific. - 3. Store room for unbound back numbers. - 4. Bound magazines—or space in stack. - 5. Newspapers. - Public catalog. - Club rooms. - Study rooms. - Auditorium or Exhibition room. - Lunch room (Restaurant). - Public reception. - Stenographer. - Telephone. - Writing and copying rooms. - Coat room. - Toilets. - -B. WORK ROOMS. - - Superintendent of Building’s office. - Engineer’s rooms. - Janitor’s rooms. - Janitor’s living rooms. - Scrub women’s rooms. - Binding. - Repair room. - Printing plant. - -Work Rooms (staff). - - Supply Department. - Store room for supplies. - Book Order Department. - Packing room. - Delivery stations room. - Apprentice class room. - Cataloguing Department. - Library of Congress Card Catalog room. - Traveling Libraries Department. - Interchange Department. - Foreign Book Department. - -Work Rooms (Special Rooms for Staff). - - Two lunch rooms. - One staff sitting room. - One staff meeting room. - Butler’s pantry, kitchen, etc. - -C. EXECUTIVE OFFICES. - - Trustees’ room. - Committee room. - Librarian’s Public office. - Librarian’s Private office. - Librarian’s Secretary’s office. - Stenographer’s room. - Assistant Librarian’s office. - Supt. of Branches office. - Finance Department. - Offices of the Superintendents of Cataloguing, Children’s, - Traveling libraries, Supply Department, connected with - their respective departments. - -D. STACK. - - Stock room accommodations for books purchased and unassigned. - Storage room for little used books. - -E. MECHANICAL SERVICE. - - 1. Public telephone. - 2. Interior telephone. - 3. Book carrier. - 4. Pneumatic tubes. - 5. Elevators. - 6. Book lifts. - -SUGGESTED FLOOR ARRANGEMENTS AND DIMENSIONS OF ROOMS. - - By a proper grouping of rooms it may be possible for one - attendant to temporarily supervise several rooms. - -Stack. - - An allowance of 10,000 sq. ft. on each floor will provide - accommodation for 1,600,000 volumes. - -Separate Building or Sub-Basement. - - Heating, ventilating and lighting plant. - -Basement. - - Janitor’s work room 300 sq. ft. - Engineer’s room (office) 300 ” - Engineer’s work room 400 ” - Scrub women’s room 300 ” - Store room for supplies 1,000 ” - Bindery 5,000 ” - Printing plant 3,000 ” - Auditorium or Exhibition Room 4,500 ” - -------------- - 14,800 sq. ft. - -Ground Floor. - - Book Order Dept 3,000 sq. ft. - Supply Dept 2,500 ” - Packing room 1,500 ” - Delivery Station room 1,000 ” - Repair room 1,200 ” - Library for the Blind 2,000 ” - Supt. of Building—office 500 ” - Coat and parcel room 600 ” - Public telephone room } { 300 ” - Public reception room } combine { 300 ” - Telephone switch board 200 ” - Public toilet rooms 700 ” - Private toilet rooms 700 ” - Lockers for 200 employees 600 ” - Newspaper reading room 2,500 ” - -------------- - 17,600 sq. ft. - -Main or First Floor. - - Children’s room 5,000 sq. ft. - Delivery room (open shelves) 3,000 ” - Executive offices 4,900 ” - Trustees’ room 900 sq. ft. - Committee room 400 ” - Librarian’s public office 400 ” - Librarian’s private office 500 ” - Librarian’s Secretary’s office 400 ” - Stenographers’ room 600 ” - Assistant Librarian’s office 400 ” - [400]Supt. of Branches office 300 ” - Finance Department 1,000 ” - Reading rooms—Periodicals 4,000 ” - Reading rooms—Scientific periodicals 400 ” - Reading rooms—Store room for unbound back numbers 600 ” - -------------- - 17,900 sq. ft. - -Second Floor. - - Reference room 10,000 sq. ft. - Special reference rooms as follows:— - Statistical Dept. 800 sq. ft. - Patents room 2,500 ” - Map room 1,500 ” - Public documents room for readers 1,200 ” - Restricted and rare books 400 ” - Public catalog 1,500 ” - Public writing and copying rooms 800 ” - -------------- - 18,700 sq. ft. - -Third Floor. - - Music room 1,500 sq. ft. - Prints room 800 ” - Art book room 2,000 ” - Manuscripts 800 ” - Photographic room 400 ” - Photographic dark room 120 ” - Apprentice class room 2,500 ” - Staff meeting room 1,000 ” - Bell collection 1,200 ” - Study and club rooms (3 or 4) 1,200 ” - Cataloguing Dept. 5,000 ” - Library of Congress Card Catalog room 1,000 ” - Traveling Library Dept. and Interchange 600 ” - -------------- - 18,120 sq. ft. - -Mezzanine Floor. - - Staff sitting room 600 sq. ft. - Two lunch rooms:— - One 400 ” - One 800 ” - Pantry and kitchen - Public restaurant 900 ” - ------------- - 2,700 sq. ft. - -Fourth Story (if any). - - Janitor’s living rooms 1,500 sq. ft. - -Totals. - - Prof. A. D. F. Hamlin has estimated that the available ground - space for the building might vary according to different types - of building from 31,250 sq. ft. to 44,600 sq. ft. Our estimate - of the space required, including rooms, halls, etc, and stack - is about 36,630 sq. ft. - - (Above basement):— - Ground floor 17,600 sq. ft. - Main or first floor 17,900 ” - Second floor 18,700 ” - Third floor 18,120 ” - Mezzanine floor 2,700 ” - Fourth floor 1,500 ” - --------------- - 76,520 sq. ft. - Stack—4 stories of main building 40,000 ” - --------------- - 116,520 ” - Add for halls, stairs, walls, vaults, toilet - rooms, etc. 30,000 ” - --------------- - 146,520 sq. ft. - Average per floor (4) 36,630 ” - - -ALPHABETICAL ARRANGEMENT OF ROOMS. - -Under each room is given the purpose and best arrangement in relation -to other rooms. The list also includes such headings as “Furniture,” -“Shelving,” etc. - -=Accession Department, see Cataloguing Department.= - -=Apprentice Class Room.= For students who are taking the training -course in the library preparatory to admission to the library service. -Accommodations should be provided for one hundred students. - -Need not be considered in relation to other rooms, and may be placed on -top floor or wherever convenient. - -The room might be divided into sections by sliding partitions so that a -part or the whole could be used either for class work or for entrance and -promotion examinations, and should be planned as a regular school class -room containing such necessary appliances as desks, chairs blackboards, -etc. - -A sufficient number of lockers should be provided in a dressing-room near -by. - -If the room is not divided as mentioned above, a study room containing -a working collection of library literature would make study possible by -members of one class while another class is in session. - -=Art Book Cases, see Furniture, Art Book Cases.= - -=Art Book Room.= All the large heavy books belonging to the Art Book -Collection will be placed here in cases or on shelves. - -There should be accommodation in this room or a nearby stack for 15,000 -volumes. - -If an Exhibition Room is not provided the Art Book Room together with the -Photographs, Music and Manuscripts Rooms, might be connected so that when -desired they could be converted into an Exhibition Room. - -If convenient the Art Book Room should be near the Reference Room. - -If located on different floors, the Art Book Room and Photographic Room -should be connected by a large size book lift. - -=Auditor’s Office, see Finance Department.= - -=Auditorium.= It is a question whether in view of the nearness of the -Brooklyn Institute the Library should provide an auditorium. If so, it -should be capable of being turned into an Exhibition Room, which see. - -It is probable that a seating capacity of 400 or 500 would be sufficient, -although it may be thought best to provide for 1,500. - -If arranged so as to be used as an Exhibition Room it might be -sub-divided by movable partitions. - -It should be provided with lantern and screen. - -This hall should be used for literary purposes only. - -May be placed on top floor or basement. If the latter, there should be an -outside entrance, and also one from the library proper. - -=Automatic Book Carrier, see Book Carrier.= - -=Back Numbers of Magazines, see Periodical Reading Room.= - -=Bell Collection.= A collection of 12,000 volumes given by Mr. James A. -H. Bell on the conditions that it should be in a separate room, and that -the books should be for reference purposes only. - -Need not connect with any other room. - -=Bells.= Connection might be made from some of the rooms, such as -Librarians’, Delivery, Reference, with the janitor and engineer. - -There should be outside door bells so arranged that the current to same -may be turned off or on. Switches to be under lock and key inside the -building. - -=Bicycle Room.= A small space is probably all that will be necessary, and -it is a question whether racks outside, or inside the building on ground -floor would not serve the purpose. - -=Bindery.= A room should be provided large enough to hold heavy machinery -and to enable the library to have its own binding done within the -building, although it is not at all certain whether it is not more -economical to give the use of the room to some binder and arrange with -him to do the work at so much per volume. - -Should go in the basement near the Repair Room. - -If all binding is not done by the Library, the Repair Room if made larger -will accommodate the necessary machinery for what is to be done, and -should be so constructed as to bear the weight of heavy machinery. - -=Blind Department, see Library for the Blind.= - -=Boiler Room, see Heating Plant.= - -=Book Carrier.= A noiseless device for carrying books from the Book Stack -to the Delivery Desks in the - - (_a_) Reference Room. - (_b_) Delivery Room. - (_c_) Periodical Reading Room. - (_d_) Children’s Room. - (_e_) Delivery Station Room. - (_f_) Wherever rooms are indicated as near Stack and cannot be so - placed the carrier might be used. - -A very successful carrier made by the Lamson Store Service Co. is said to -be in use by the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. The Library of Congress -and Boston Public Library also have carriers. - -=Book Order Department.= Including the Ordering and Receiving -Departments. Orders for books are sent to this department and forwarded -to the publishers. Books are received from the same source, unpacked, -checked with the bill, etc., before they go to the Cataloguing -Department. A part of the room should be arranged as a Receiving Room -where the cases of books could be unpacked. - -It should be on the ground floor near the Packing Room and the depository -sections of the Stack which contain the stock of unassigned books -(20,000 volumes) and the little used books (30,000 volumes). It should -be connected with, but not necessarily adjacent to, the Cataloguing -Department, with which it might be connected with a freight elevator, so -that truck loads of books can be quickly transferred. - -A small office or office space for the Superintendent should be provided. - -=Bound Files of Newspapers, see Newspaper Reading Room.= - -=Bound Files of Magazines, see Periodical Reading Room.= - -=Branches, Superintendent, see Executive offices.= - -=Building Superintendent’s Room.= An office for the Superintendent of the -building should be provided near the entrance on the ground floor. - -=Building, Size of.= Inasmuch as the plot is surrounded by broad open -spaces the building may be brought much nearer the lot line than would -otherwise be desirable. Unnecessary space should not be given to halls -and corridors, although these should be ample. - -The size of the Reference and Reading Rooms may be increased if there is -any additional space available. - -=Card Cases, see Furniture—Card Catalog Cases.= - -=Cataloguing Department (Official).= Books for all branches of the -library as well as all departments and the Central Library are -accessioned, and catalogued by this department. - -Space should be allowed for at least fifty employees. It may be on -the third floor. It should connect with the Book Order Department as -indicated, and be located near Traveling Libraries and Interchange -Departments. - -An office or office space should be provided for the Superintendent of -the department. - -The freight elevator might open into a small room or hallway adjoining -the Cataloguing Department instead of opening directly into the room -itself. - -The room should, if possible, be so planned that there will be good light -on both sides so that desks may be placed on both sides of the room. - -The space allotted to the department may, if necessary, be divided into -two connecting rooms, one of which would contain some thirty typewriting -machines. - -Alcoves formed by book cases might be placed on one side of the room to -separate the desks of the typewriters from each other. - -Space must also be allowed for card catalog cases for 2,000,000 volumes. -These may be placed back to back and form a sort of partition through the -middle of the room. - -=Cataloguing Department—Library of Congress Depository Catalog.= The -cards of the Library of Congress Catalog are filed in Catalog Cases in -this room and the Catalog must be accessible to the public, and should -adjoin the Official Cataloguing Department. Provision should be made for -at least fifty catalog cases in addition to table, desk, chairs, etc. - -=Catalog Room (Public).= Contains a catalog of all books in the Library -system printed on cards, and arranged similar to those in the Official -Catalog Department. It would be used by the public and should be near the -Reference Room so that the Reference Librarian could use and supervise it. - -If possible it should be accessible for the Delivery Department and -Official Cataloguing Department. Space should be provided for the same -number of cases as in the Official Department. These cases could be -placed against the walls or in rows. - -=Charging Desk, see Furniture—Delivery Desk.= - -=Check Room, see Coat and Parcel Room—Public.= - -=Children’s Room.= A room for the use of the juvenile borrowers of the -library. All juvenile books will be charged and discharged in this room. -Provision should be made for seating about two hundred children. The -total space allotted for this department may be divided so that there -will be an office for the Superintendent (who has charge of the work with -children), a small room to contain a selected collection of juvenile -books which may be consulted by teachers, parents, etc., and the reading -and delivery room for children. A portion of the latter might perhaps be -partitioned off for reference use. Plenty of room should be provided for -this purpose. - -This department should be situated near the Delivery Room of the library, -and if possible, connect directly with the Open Shelf Room of that -department. - -The entrance to this room should be similar to that at the Pacific -Branch Library, _i.e._, two doors, one for entrance and one for exit, -with a seat for visitors and a railed space where they may stand without -interfering with the children who use the room. - -If possible, this room should be easily reached from the street without -stairs or with but few. The entrance, however, should not be _directly_ -into the room. - -=Circulation Department, see Delivery Department.= - -=Cleaner’s Room.= A room near janitor’s with lockers, cupboards, etc., in -which clothes, pails, mops may be kept. - -=Cleaning Device, see Vacuum Cleaning Apparatus.= - -=Closets.= Closets or cupboards for the storage of supplies, etc., should -be provided in the various departments and work rooms. - -Closets for janitor’s brooms, mops, etc., together with a sink should be -located on each floor. - -=Club Rooms, see Study Rooms.= - -=Coal Bins.= Coal bins of 200 tons capacity should be provided. - -=Coat and Parcel Rooms, Public.= A room should be provided where coats, -parcels, umbrellas, etc., may be checked. - -This should be located near the main entrance. - -If the auditorium is placed on the top floor a similar room should be -located near it. - -=Committee Room, see Executive Offices.= - -=Copying Room, see Writing and Copying Room.= - -=Cork Carpet, see Floor Covering.= - -=Dark Room, see Photographic Room.= - -=Delivery Department.= From this room the books for home use would be -circulated, and borrowers would be allowed free access to the shelves. - -This room should be easily accessible from the street without any, or, -with but few stairs. - -It might connect with the Children’s Room, but it is not necessary that -it connect with the Reference and Reading Rooms. - -A collection of possibly 35,000 volumes of the most popular and standard -books should be placed in a room arranged with wall shelving and stacks -something like our branch libraries. This will not prevent readers from -having access to other books under restrictions. - -Space should be provided in this room for a Registration Desk with a -possible provision for a Union Register of all borrowers in the system. - -=Delivery Desks, see Furniture—Delivery Desks.= - -=Delivery Station Room.= The library system may, in the near future -be extended, by the establishment of delivery and deposit stations -throughout the city at which places borrowers may leave books in the -morning and receive others later in the day. The books so left will be -sent to the Central Library to be exchanged and a room should be provided -where this work can be done. - -This might be near or part of the Interchange Department, although this -arrangement may not be feasible, as it is desirable that the Interchange -Department should be located near the Cataloguing Department so that the -Catalog may be consulted by it, and the Delivery Station Room should be -on the ground floor to facilitate the handling of boxes, etc. - -=Depository Stock, see Stack Depository.= - -=Driveway.= A driveway for teams should run through from Flatbush avenue -to Eastern Parkway and into the court, if one is contemplated. The -Packing, Delivery Station and Book Order Department should open directly -upon the driveway. If these are below the street level, a movable -platform should be provided. - -=Dust Flues.= Unless the vacuum cleaning apparatus is installed, dust -flues and compressed air with openings on each floor of the Stack and in -the principal rooms in the main building may answer all purposes. - -=Elevators.= Elevators should run from the basement to the top floor. -Two passenger elevators for the public, and one for the staff should be -provided. A freight elevator large enough to hold two or three trucks -(such as used at Montague) at a time will be needed. This elevator may -open into a hallway or room adjoining the Cataloguing Department if such -an arrangement works out better. - -Book lifts should also be generously distributed. - -If the auditorium is on the top floor one elevator should be so situated -as to be convenient for those using the auditorium. - -=Employees, see Staff.= - -=Engineers’ Club.= It is a question whether a meeting room should be -provided for the exclusive use of this particular club, although it seems -desirable that a place should be provided where this and clubs of a -similar nature could hold meetings from time to time. - -If a meeting room is provided for the Engineers’ Club it should be -adjacent to the Stack where books of a scientific nature are stored. - -=Engineer’s Rooms.= There should be two connecting rooms for the use of -the Chief Engineer; one to be used as an office, possibly containing -closets for the stowing of supplies; and the other to be equipped as a -work room with work bench, forge, anvil, etc. - -These rooms should be separate from the Boiler Room. - -=Entrances.= Should be provided on the front and sides of the building -for the public, and one in the rear for freight, etc. - -A separate entrance should also be provided for the Staff. - -=Executive Offices.= This suite of offices consists of the following -rooms:— - - Trustees’ Room. - Committee Room. - Librarian’s Public Office. - Librarian’s Private Office. - Librarian’s Secretary’s Office. - Stenographers’ Room. - Assistant Librarian’s Office. - Supt. of Branches.[401] - Finance Department (Here or on top floor). - -The rooms in this group might be arranged similar to the offices in large -business houses with a central waiting room. - -The Trustees’ Room and Committee Room should adjoin and be connected -with large folding doors. There should be an ante or waiting room. Also -lockers, hat boxes, etc. Toilet and Bath Room should also be provided, as -at Boston. - -The Librarian’s Private Office should connect directly with the Trustees’ -and Committee Rooms. - -The Librarian’s Public Office might also serve as a waiting room for the -Trustees’ and Assistant Librarian’s Offices. - -The Librarian’s Room should be easily accessible to the public and as -near as many departments of the library as possible. - -=Exhibition Room, see Auditorium.= - -This room might be made by so arranging certain rooms, such as the Art -Book, Manuscripts, Music, Photographic Rooms, etc., that they could -be converted into an exhibition room at any time. (This is the better -arrangement). Exhibitions of books, manuscripts, prints, etc., would be -held in this room. - -=Finance Department, see also Executive Offices.= - -This is intended for the offices of the Treasurer and his assistants. -Space should be provided for three or more clerks, with possibly a small -separate room for the Treasurer. - -A vault should be located in this department for the storage of -documents, bills, etc. - -This need not be a part of the Executive Offices, but may be located on -the top floor. - -=Fine Arts Room, see Art Book Room.= - -=Fixed Furniture, see Furniture.= - -=Floor Covering.= Rubber or cork carpet may be used, but these should not -be put over tiling. - -=Floors.= The kind of flooring for each room should be indicated by the -Architect. _Noiseless_ floors should be placed in all public rooms. - -=Floors, Height of.= Floors of the main building should coincide with the -level of the floors of the book stack, making the height about 15 feet or -two stacks floors high, or in that proportion. - -Floors in the Stack Building should be 7½ feet between centers, and -should connect with the floors of the main building. - -=Foreign Book Collection.= The collection of books in foreign languages -for distribution among the branches would be located on one of the floors -of the Book Stack, preferably that nearest the office of the Interchange -Department. Provision should be made for about 35,000 volumes. - -=Furniture—Fixed and Movable.= Specifications for the furniture required -will be furnished later. - -=Garage.= A room of about 400 square feet should be provided for the -storage of library automobiles and equipped with machinery to charge -electric vehicles. If space permits, it might be advisable to arrange -a part of this room for the convenience of automobilists who use the -library. - -=Heads of Departments, see Superintendents of Departments.= - -=Heating Plant.= As this plant cannot be located in a separate building -it should be as nearly isolated as possible. It should be so constructed -that there will be ample room for the handling of all tools, especially -while working at the boilers. - -=Height of Floor, see Floors, Height of.= - -=Information Desk.= Space should be provided for an information desk -if possible near the main entrance, or near the Reference and Delivery -Departments, if they are quite near together. - -=Interchange Department.= This department, which has charge of the -interchange of books among the branches, should have an office for -superintendents and assistants near or connected with the Traveling -Libraries Department. - -It should also be near or easily connected with the Official or Public -Catalog and the Book Stack. - -=Janitor’s Living Rooms.= It is desirable, if space permits, that five or -six living rooms similar in arrangement to a small apartment be provided -for the janitor so that he may be in the building at all times. - -These rooms should be located on the top floor. - -=Janitor’s Rooms.= A work room containing lockers, and closets for the -storage of necessary tools should be located in the basement for the use -of the janitor. An office for his use might also be provided. - -These rooms should be near the Stock and Store Rooms and the Supply -Department. - -=Lavatories, see Toilets.= - -=Lecture Room, see Auditorium.= - -=Librarian’s Office, see Executive Offices.= - -=Librarian, Assistant, see Executive Offices.= - -=Library for the Blind.= This is intended for the use of the blind -readers and their guides. Provision should be made both for the delivery -of books for home use, for reading in the library and for “readings.” A -small lecture room separated from the Delivery Room should be provided -for the latter purpose. - -The blind borrowers would be registered at this department rather than at -the General Registration Desk. - -The best location for this department is on the ground floor, although -it may be placed on the top floor. It should be located near a stack -accommodating 15,000 volumes. - -This is perhaps the one department of the library which might, if -necessary, be located at some branch, possibly Montague—instead of in the -Central Building without affecting seriously other departments. - -=Library of Congress Cards, see Cataloguing Department.= - -=Lighting Plant.= Even if the library does not install its own lighting -plant, space should at least be provided for it in the sub-basement. - -Wherever table lights are used as probably in the Reference and -Cataloguing Departments, they should be movable and so arranged that they -will not get in the way of readers’ feet. - -So far as possible, general illumination is better than individual lights. - -=Little Used Books, see Stack—Depository.= - -=Lockers.= Clothing lockers, open and well ventilated, with shelves for -hats, should be abundantly provided. - -Lockers for men and women should be located near the staff entrance, and -in addition, a few lockers should be provided in each department. - -The lockers should also be near the service elevator. The quarters might -be divided so to partially separate men, women, boys and girls. - -=Lunch Room for Staff, see Staff Lunch Room.= - -=Lunch room—Public, see Public Restaurant.= - -=Magazine Room, see Periodical Reading Room.= - -=Main Reading Room, see Reference Room.= - -=Manuscript Department.= Room where valuable manuscripts would be kept. -It might be near Map or Art Book Room and form one of the latter suite. - -=Map Room.= Provision should be made in this room for the convenient -handling of maps of various sizes and kinds. - -This should be near the Reference Room for the sake of supervision. - -=Mechanical Service and Equipment, see Book Carriers, Telephones, etc.= - -=Music Room.= Provision should be made here or in a nearby Stack for -15,000 bound volumes of books about music, and for the musical scores -which will be placed flat on shelves or in drawers. (It might form one -of the suite with the Art Book Room, etc.) The circulation of books from -this department might be from the room itself rather than from the Main -Delivery Desk. - -Adjoining should be a piano room with thick walls to deaden sound. - -=Newspaper Reading Room.= If out-of-town newspapers are supplied a larger -room will be needed than as though only local papers are taken. (It is -a question whether it is best to supply local papers at all). In any -event the papers will be in newspaper files on regular racks placed on -the walls or separate stands. No shelving (unless for local papers) need -be provided here, but in an adjoining room the back numbers will be made -accessible. - -This room should be on ground floor with separate outside entrance if any -papers are taken. - -The bound volumes of newspapers take up much room and ample space -should be provided in adjoining Stack so that they might be placed flat -on roller shelves and provision made for 5,000 volumes and growth for -twenty-five years. - -=Open Shelves, see Delivery Department.= - -=Order Department, see Book Order Department, see also Supply Department.= - -=Order and Receiving Room, see Book Order Department.= - -=Packing Room.= Books are received here from the Cataloguing Department -and sent out to the Branches. - -It should be on the ground floor near the Book Order and Supply -Departments and contain bins for at least forty branches, so that when -books and supplies are to be sent out they may be placed in specific -places preparatory to being shipped, and thus facilitate the distribution -of everything to branches. - -The bins might be on rollers or tracks unless it is found better to make -them permanent and use ordinary trucks around the room. - -=Parcel Room, see Coat Room.= - -=Patent Room.= All reports and specifications relating to American and -foreign patents belong in this room or adjoining Stack. - -It should be near the Reference and Public Documents Rooms. - -Provision should be made in the room itself for seventy-five or one -hundred readers, shelving for the most used volumes, and near a stack -to contain 20,000. Many of the specifications will be laid flat. Boston -seems large enough if sufficient stack space is provided. - -=Periodical Reading Room.= The current magazines will be placed on tables -and racks, and the bound volumes of periodicals would be used in this -room as well as in the Reference Room. It should therefore be near stack -with capacity of 50,000 volumes for bound periodicals. The room should be -connected with or under the Reference Room, with stairs connecting. - -If found best to locate this room elsewhere it may be placed near -newspaper room and made accessible from street. - -A room adjoining would have shelves and cases for the unbound back -numbers as in Newark. - -=Photographic Room.= A place for taking pictures, consequently a “dark -room,” should adjoin. - -It might be in attic or one of the Art Book suite, but in any event -should be connected with Art Book Room so that large books may be easily -conveyed by lift or otherwise from one to the other. Provision should be -made for the storage of photographs. It should be well lighted as the -walls may be used for the exhibition of pictures, etc. - -The “dark room” should have plenty of storage space for slides and -negatives. - -=Plot, see Site.= - -=Pneumatic Tubes.= Most liberal provision should be made for -communicating between Delivery Rooms, Departments and Stacks. (See also -Book Carrier). - -=Printing Plant.= It is a question of policy whether a large or small -plant should be installed. If former, there will always be trouble with -labor unions, etc. Provision should at least be made for a few small -presses to do such necessary work as printing bulletins, lists, catalog -cards, etc. - -=Prints Room, see Art Book Room.= - -=Public Catalog, see Catalog—Public.= - -=Public Documents Room.= It is intended to provide for perhaps fifty -readers and have a near Stack accommodation for all public documents, -both national and state. This room might be near the Patents Room and -Reference Room. - -=Public Reception Room.= Part of Public Telephone and Public -Stenographer’s Room might adjoin an “Emergency Hospital,” as suggested by -Dr. Backus. - -=See also Writing and Copying Room, Public.= - -=Public Restaurant.= If this could be provided for in connection with -staff lunch room it would be desirable so that all-day students could -obtain lunch. - -=Public Telephone, see Telephone, Public.= - -=Public Toilet Rooms, see Toilet Rooms, Public.= - -=Radiators.= These might be placed inside the walls _without taking up -room or shelving space_, but of course accessible by taking out division -of shelving, or radiators might form a base 10 inches to 14 inches from -floor under book cases—if not too hot. - -=Rare and Restricted Books Room.= Here would be kept the precious books. -It is essential that the vault run through this section. Rare books and -prints would be preserved and displayed here. - -It should possibly be part of Art Book suite. - -=Reading Rooms, see Reference Department and under different headings, as -Periodical Reading Room, Technical and Scientific Periodical Room, etc.= - -=Receiving Room, see Book Order Department; see also Packing Room.= - -=Reception Room, see Public Reception Room.= - -=Reference Department.= This room will serve for general and reference -purposes, access being had to as many of the departments and special -collections as possible. For the sake of convenience and supervision the -special collections might be grouped around this room. - -It should be on the second floor, with large windows to about 4 feet -of the floor. Seating capacity for from 450 to 600 readers should be -provided. It may be found easy to place this room on the top floor with -light from above, although such an arrangement does not seem desirable. -This will be the largest room in the building. - -The public catalog should be near by so that it might be used and -supervised by the Reference Librarian. - -A delivery desk must also be provided on the same floor as the Reference -Department so that the serious student may have books used by him in -the Reference Department charged without being obliged to go into the -Delivery Department. This desk may be located in the Reference Room, or -it may be possible to locate it in the Public Catalog Room so that the -orders of those consulting the Catalog may be sent directly to the Stack -and the book be delivered to the borrower in that room. If the Public -Catalog room is on the same floor as the Reference Room the books from -that department could be sent to the Delivery Desk in the Public Catalog -Room. - -It is desirable to use the same Delivery Room for charging books from -both Reference and Delivery Departments. - -=Registration Room.= This is where the record of the individual is kept. -If on Brooklyn plan only a few cases will be necessary, but if on Boston -plan where there is a Central Registration more space will be necessary. - -In any event it should be in or near the Delivery Department. - -=Repair Room.= This is where books are repaired by the staff. It should -be in the basement and near the bindery, and better connect with it. - -=Repository for Little Used Books, see Stack Depository.= - -=Restaurant, see Public Restaurant.= - -=Restricted Books, see Rare and Restricted Books.= - -=Roof.= Avoid skylights as much as possible, as the best of them will -leak. - -=Rubber, see Floor Covering.= - -=Safes, see Vaults.= - -=Scientific Periodical Room, see Technical and Scientific Periodical -Room.= - -=Screens.= Window screens should be provided to exclude dust, flies, -mosquitoes, etc. - -=Service Stairs, see Stairs.= - -=Shades.= Should be provided for all windows. - -=Shelving.= It seems best to leave the matter of shelving for the -different rooms until a conference can be had with the Architect -regarding the dimensions and location of the different rooms. - -=Site.= The site is a quadrilateral, measuring 69 feet 8 inches on the -Plaza, 332 feet on the Parkway, 486 feet 0 inches along the Reservoir -fence and 498 feet 4 inches along Flatbush avenue. - -=Special Collections, see Bell Collection, Manuscripts, Rare Books, etc.= - -=Special Study Rooms, see Study Rooms.= - -=Stack.= Accommodations should be provided for 1,500,000 or 2,000,000, -as suggested by Prof. A. D. F. Hamlin. Estimates may be based on an -allowance of eight volumes to the running foot, except where reference -books and art books are to be shelved, when not more than six volumes -should be allowed. It should be in the rear of building if natural light -is desired or in the _centre_ if electric light can be provided. In -the latter case all of the outside space could be utilized for rooms. -Attention is called to the fact that Boston, New York and the John Crerar -Library, Chicago, have found artificial light for stacks sufficient. - -It goes without saying that this of all parts of the building should -be fireproof, with emergency fireproof doors between this and the main -building. - -Each stack story will be 7 feet to 7½ wide, in the clear, the architect -to name, when submitting the plans, the particular stack to be used. No -stack should be more than 7 feet high, 9 or 12 feet long; 8 inches deep, -if single, or 16 inches deep if double, back to back; 12 inches if -reference. The aisles should be 3 feet wide, with side aisles 3 to 4 feet -wide along the walls. - -Provision should be made for the maximum capacity indicated and the -Architect should show how the stack could be extended to serve for double -the capacity. - -Under shelving will be indicated the _wall capacity_ desired. - -=Stack—Depository.= When opportunity offers, purchases of books are made -from second-hand dealers and others even if not needed at the time. A -stock in trade is thus formed and orders received from Branches are -filled here whenever possible. These books may be stored in the Stack -near the Book Order Department, and accommodation should be provided for -35,000 volumes. - -Books seldom called for or little used should also be housed in the -Depository Stack. Space should be provided for 30,000 volumes. - -The Depository Stack might be placed underneath the street level as has -been done in Vienna. At least three stack floors could thus be obtained. - -=Staff Rooms.= Under this head should be included all rooms, other than -work rooms, used by the Staff. It is likely that 150-250 employees will -have places in the Central Building, and it is essential that adequate -provision should be made for male and female adult employees, messengers, -(boys and girls) janitors, cleaners, etc. - -A separate entrance should be provided for the staff and lockers for -their use as indicated under that heading. - -The following rooms should be provided, Staff Lunch and Sitting Rooms, -with butler’s pantry and kitchen, and a special room for meetings of the -Staff. These may be located in a mezzanine floor or be placed in the -basement or top floor. They should, however, be so situated as to be -easily accessible from as many departments as possible so that assistants -will not waste time in going to and fro. Private stairs may be provided -as in the Newark Public Library. - -=Staff Lunch Room.= If possible the Lunch Room should be divided so -that the Superintendents of Departments could lunch together without -interfering with the scheduled hours of the balance of the Staff. - -Such an arrangement would make it possible for the Superintendents of -Departments to discuss library problems while at lunch. - -If two Lunch Rooms are provided a large butler’s pantry should adjoin -each room. These would contain cupboards, closets, sinks, refrigerators, -gas stoves, china closets, etc., so arranged that each assistant could -have her own things. - -If a Public Restaurant is planned, the kitchen of that might be connected -with the Staff Rooms so that the Staff as well as the public might be -served from it. - -=Staff Meeting Room.= Here the members of the whole staff would meet -once a month for the regular business meetings, and possibly oftener, to -talk over matters pertaining to the interests of the institution. The -attendance might be from 100 to 200. - -Possibly these meetings could be held in the Apprentice Class Room. If -a separate room is provided it should be in combination with the other -Staff rooms. - -=Staff Sitting Room.= A comfortable place for the assistants to rest in -after lunch should adjoin the Lunch Rooms. The Sitting and Lunch Rooms -should be so connected that the three could be thrown into one. - -The Sitting Room would also be used in cases of temporary illness, and -should have couches and ordinary medical appliances. - -=Stairs.= None should be circular. This point cannot be too emphatically -indicated. - -So far as possible all stairs should be _inside_ the building. - -Easy risers—possibly not more than 4 inches are desirable. - -Separate stairs should be provided for Staff, and when possible the -different departments should be connected by private stairway, this -to insure easy and quick communication between different floors and -departments. - -=Standard Library.= This consists of a collection of the best books as -introduced by Mr. Foster of the Providence Public Library. It would -contain books in best editions which would be recommended for purchase by -private buyers. It could be placed in one of the study rooms or better in -Reference or Delivery Room, but it should be capable of supervision. - -=Statistical Department.= This forms one of the Special Reference Rooms -where books on statistics, economics, etc., would be shelved. - -=Stenographer’s Room, Public.= For the use of those who wish to dictate -letters or addresses. - -It might be near the Public Telephone or Writing and Copying Room. - -=Stenographers’ Room (Official), see Executive Offices.= - -=Stock Room (Books), see Stack, Depository.= - -=Stock Room (supplies).= The ordinary Branch supplies such as printing, -stationery, brooms, soap, etc., are bought in quantities and stored at -the library. Branch “wants” are thus quickly and cheaply supplied. - -It could be under or near the Supply Department (which see). - -Closets, cupboards and shelving in plenty, with special arrangement as to -“bins” provided. - -=Storeroom (supplies).= This is intended for brooms, pails, etc., used by -janitor about the Central Building. It is not the same as the Stock Room -where supplies for the whole system are kept, but may be near it. Several -closets for such purpose should also be placed on each floor. - -=Storeroom for Little Used Books, see Stack, Depository.= - -=Study Rooms.= These are for classes or individuals studying particular -subjects, and who need quiet and seclusion. Sometimes it will be used by -literary societies like a Browning Club, Shakespeare Club, etc. - -They should be adjacent to and form a part of the Reference Room. -Although only three or four are mentioned more can be used, and they -might be larger or smaller than dimensions given. - -=Superintendents of Departments.= They are Superintendent of Cataloguing -Department, Superintendent of Children’s Work Superintendent of Book -Orders, Superintendent of Supplies. - -The Architect suggests that these might be grouped as in a business -house, with central waiting space and with access to each other. Perhaps -a better plan would be to have the office of each Superintendent near his -own department. - -The office of the Superintendent of Branches would be connected with the -Executive suite. - -=Supply Room, see Stock Room (supplies).= - -=Supply Department.= The Superintendent of this Department makes the -purchases for all the branches and must therefore meet buyers as well as -Branch Librarians. There should be an outer and inner office. A store -room should be provided on this floor for the storage of stationery, etc. -This department should have outside entrance so that teams could deliver -goods direct. - -=Technical and Scientific Periodical Room.= Will contain current -scientific periodicals and should have bound volumes (20,000) of same on -shelves in room or in stack nearby. - -It might be near Reference Department or the Periodical Reading Room. - -=Telephones, Official.= Long distance telephone, with switch board should -be installed also a complete system connecting all departments. - -=Telephone, Public.= Booths for the use of the public should also be -provided. - -The switch board for both the public and official telephones may be the -same and this may be located in the Public Reception and Telephone Room -on the ground floor, or the switch board of the Official Telephone may be -located in the Repair Room. - -=Toilets.= Ample provision should be made for public and private toilets -for both sexes, but the public toilets should be at a distance from any -outside public entrance. Private toilets should be on each floor, and for -Trustees and Librarian. An attendant will be needed in each public toilet -room. - -=Traveling Libraries Department.= Cases of books are sent from here to -schools, shops, societies, clubs, etc. An office for the Superintendent -of this department and his assistants should be located near the -Interchange and Foreign Book Departments. Stack accommodations for 50,000 -volumes should adjoin the office. It should also be near the freight -elevator. - -=Treasurer’s Office Department.= Space should be provided for Treasurer -who is a member of the Board of Trustees. - -=Unpacking Room, see Book Order Department, also Supply Dept.= - -=Vacuum Cleaning Apparatus.= The building should be equipped with the -best cleaning system. - -=Vaults.= Various records such as those of the Board, Librarian, -Accession Books of Cataloguing Department, expensive and rare books and -manuscripts would be kept in the vaults. - -They should be at least 8 × 10 feet in the clear and extend from the -basement to the top with openings on each floor into such rooms, if -possible, as Trustees’, Librarian’s, Cataloguing, Art Book, etc. - -=Ventilation, see also Heating.= - -The most perfect system of ventilation should be introduced and ought to -be both direct and indirect. Particular attention should be paid to the -Reference Department, Delivery Department, Children’s Room, Periodical -and Newspaper Reading Rooms and Stack. As it cannot be in a separate -building it, as well as the Heating Plant, should be in sub-basement. - -=Water Supply.= If there is likely to be trouble from low pressure an -engine should pump water into a tank placed on the roof. Hot and cold -water for cleaning should be liberally supplied on each floor for janitor -service and for staff. - -=Windows.= In the Stack they should start from the ceiling and go to the -floor and be placed opposite every aisle. - -In the main rooms they need not come within 5 feet of the floor unless an -exception is made in the Trustees’, Librarian’s, Reference and Periodical -Reading Rooms, and Study Rooms. - -In the Cataloguing Department they should begin 4 feet from floor and -extend to ceiling. - -=Work Room, see Repair Room.= - -=Writing and Copying Room (public).= This is a place where readers may -use ink and copy from books, or do general writing. - -It may be near Stenographers’ room or Reference Department, although the -latter seems to be the best placed. - - - - -FOOTNOTES - - -[1] Essays in Libr. p. 280. - -[2] p. 47. - -[3] p. 21. - -[4] See p. 286. - -[5] p. 6, No. 1, Vol. 9, Arch. Rev., Boston, Jan. 1902. - -[6] p. 170. - -[7] p. 10. - -[8] Libr. Construction, p. 4. - -[9] Burg. 138: 11 L. J. 360. - -[10] p. 40. - -[11] p. 1. - -[12] 6 L. J. 131. - -[13] 13 L. J. (1888), 276, 332. - -[14] p. 9. - -[15] J. C. Dana, Library Problems. - -[16] L. J. May, 1902. - -[17] p. 136. - -[18] 2d Int. Libr. Conf. 106. - -[19] Burg. viii. - -[20] 6 P. L. 602. - -[21] 6 P. L. 200. - -[22] p. 1. - -[23] Feb. 1, 1912, quoted in 37 L. J. 141. - -[24] 31 L. J. Conf. 62. - -[25] 136. - -[26] p. 271. - -[27] p. 5. - -[28] p. 9. - -[29] 24 L. J. Conf. 23. - -[30] 30 L. J. Conf. 61 and 10 P. L. 402. - -[31] Sturgis, Vol 2, col. 752. - -[32] 3 P. L. 240. - -[33] 3 P. L. 115. - -[34] Sturgis, Vol. 2, col. 783. - -[35] 27 Nineteenth Century, 394. - -[36] 30 L. J. Conf. 250. - -[37] 30 L. J. Conf. 248. - -[38] p. 193. - -[39] Stanley, 14 L. J. 264. - -[40] 32 L. J. 266. - -[41] Id. 273. - -[42] Quoted 15 P. L. 432. - -[43] p. 110. - -[44] P. L. 1876, 477. - -[45] p. 13. - -[46] p. 2. - -[47] p. 73. - -[48] 24 L. J. Conf. 153. - -[49] 6 The Libr. Asso. Rec. 67. - -[50] 5 The Libr. Asso. Rec. 501. - -[51] Chap. XVIII. p. 233. - -[52] 28 L. J. 113. - -[53] 25 L. J. 105. - -[54] 37 L. J. 135. - -[55] P. L. 1876, p. 466. - -[56] Idem, p. 479. - -[57] 6 P. L. 203. - -[58] p. 270. - -[59] 31 L. J. Conf. 62. - -[60] 26 L. J. Conf. 41. - -[61] p. 48. - -[62] p. 32. - -[63] p. 134. - -[64] p. 84. - -[65] See later, p. 143. - -[66] p. 2. - -[67] P. L. 1876, p. 407. - -[68] 23 L. J. Conf. 23. - -[69] May, 1900. - -[70] 26 L. J. Conf. 45. - -[71] 3 P. L. 336. - -[72] p. 48. - -[73] p. 81. - -[74] Vol. 2, p. 231. - -[75] 8 P. L. 206. - -[76] 3 P. L. 336. - -[77] 8 The Libr. Asso. Record 178. - -[78] 26 L. J. Conf. p. 41. - -[79] 6 P. L. 602. - -[80] 17 L. J. 125. - -[81] p. 6. - -[82] p. 8. - -[83] P. L. 1876, 484. - -[84] 36 L. J. 189. - -[85] 1 Library Notes, 177. - -[86] p. 139. - -[87] pp. 89-92. - -[88] p. 10. - -[89] p. 141. - -[90] Vol. 4, p. 83. - -[91] $400,000 to $250,000. See 33 L. J. 428 and 442. - -[92] pp. 59, 102. - -[93] 14 L. J. 264. - -[94] p. 286 of this volume. - -[95] L. P. p. 15. - -[96] 26 L. J. Conf. 43. - -[97] p. 133. - -[98] p. 101. - -[99] p. 137. - -[100] p. 257. - -[101] Int. Conf. (1907) 106. - -[102] p. 137. - -[103] Clark, p. 41. - -[104] p. 205 of this volume. - -[105] p. 7. - -[106] p. 16. - -[107] Vol. 3, col. 673. - -[108] 8 P. L. 203. - -[109] Vol. 3, col. 913. - -[110] p. 56. - -[111] p. 357. - -[112] p. 143. - -[113] See Edwards, p. 313. - -[114] 3 P. L. 375. - -[115] 27 L. J. Conf. 204. - -[116] 6 P. L. 602. - -[117] 3 L. P. 3. - -[118] p. 45. - -[119] Hints for Small Libraries, 4. - -[120] P. L. 1876, 477. - -[121] 14 L. J. 159. - -[122] p. 85. - -[123] 31 L. J. Conf. 53. - -[124] 25 L. J. 678. - -[125] 31 L. J. Conf. 3. - -[126] p. 45. - -[127] p. 81. - -[128] Fletcher, _Intr._ - -[129] 26 L. J. Conf. 45. - -[130] 19 L. J. Conf. 96. - -[131] 19 L. J. Conf. 96. - -[132] P. L. 1876, 484. - -[133] pp. 45, 85. - -[134] 31 L. J. Conf. 3. - -[135] 25 L. J. 682. - -[136] p. 8. - -[137] 29 L. J. 413. - -[138] p. 8. - -[139] 31 L. J. Conf. 53. - -[140] p. 273. - -[141] 8 P. L. 205. - -[142] p. 2. - -[143] Architectural Competitions: a circular of advice, 1911, pp. 4, 5. - -[144] 26 L. J. 865. - -[145] Art Competition, Vol. 1, col. 657. - -[146] p. 26 L. J. Conf. 91. - -[147] 6 P. L. 610. - -[148] 7 P. L. 113. - -[149] 19 L. J. Conf. 96. - -[150] 26 L. J. Conf. 39. - -[151] Bost. 273. - -[152] p. 7. - -[153] p. 59. - -[154] 6 P. L. 601. - -[155] 34 L. J. 205. - -[156] See Duff-Brown, p. 85. - -[157] p. 120. - -[158] p. 120. - -[159] p. 103. - -[160] 26 L. J. Conf. 45. - -[161] 6 Libr. Asso. Record. - -[162] p. 135. - -[163] pp. 115 and 120. - -[164] Lib. Prob. 4. - -[165] p. 5. - -[166] p. 279. - -[167] 37 L. J. 135. - -[168] 116 _et seq._ - -[169] 127. - -[170] p. 104. - -[171] p. 87. - -[172] 30 L. J. Conf. 240. - -[173] 36 L. J. 467. - -[174] p. 10. - -[175] p. 10. - -[176] 3 P. L. 336. - -[177] P. L. 1876, 406. - -[178] P. L. 1876, p. 475. - -[179] p. 84. - -[180] Vol. 1, p. 93. - -[181] p. 7. - -[182] pp. 13, 14. - -[183] p. 288. - -[184] Vol 12, p. 446. - -[185] p. 48. - -[186] 16 L. J. Conf. 104. - -[187] p. 74. - -[188] 3 P. L. 40. - -[189] 96. - -[190] p. 12. - -[191] p. 13. - -[192] Vol. 8, p. 642. - -[193] Vol. 1, p. 288. - -[194] 30 L. J. 249. - -[195] 31 L. J. Conf. 54. - -[196] p. 10. - -[197] Clark, 165. - -[198] p. 48. - -[199] p. 15. - -[200] p. 286. - -[201] p. 285. - -[202] 25 L. J. 683. - -[203] p. 26. - -[204] Article, “Schools.” - -[205] 8 Libr. Asso. Record, 182. - -[206] p. 26. - -[207] L. J. June, 1912. - -[208] Vol. 3, p. 173. - -[209] After p. 138. - -[210] p. 13. - -[211] 34 L. J. 16, 106. - -[212] p. 21. - -[213] p. 87. - -[214] p. 24. - -[215] p. 24 _et seq._ - -[216] Vol. 1, p. 91. - -[217] pp. 20, 21, 22, 23. - -[218] Geo. T. Clark, 12 P. L. 256. - -[219] p. 369. - -[220] p. 29. - -[221] 25 L. J. 679. - -[222] p. 250. - -[223] See L. C. Report 1910, p. 355. - -[224] 2d Ser. Vol. 2, p. 285. - -[225] p. 284. - -[226] Ess. in Librarianship, p. 253. - -[227] _Ibid._, p. 271. - -[228] p. 84. - -[229] p. 28. - -[230] Part 1, p. 467. - -[231] p. 281. - -[232] p. 192. - -[233] See Appendix. - -[234] 34 L. J. 205. - -[235] Pub. Lib. 1876, p. 469. - -[236] p. 193. - -[237] p. 10. - -[238] 3 P. L. 240. - -[239] p. 70. - -[240] p. 95. - -[241] P. L. 1876, p. 469. - -[242] p. 289. - -[243] 8 Libr. Asso. Rec. p. 73. - -[244] p. 107. - -[245] p. 289. - -[246] 5 P. L. 88. - -[247] 8 Libr. Asso. Rec. p. 73. - -[248] L. W. p. 233. - -[249] p. 219. - -[250] p. 201. - -[251] Vol. 10, p. 237. - -[252] p. 10. - -[253] p. 15. - -[254] p. 19. - -[255] p. 112. - -[256] p. 103. - -[257] Vol. 12, p. 453. - -[258] See elaborate article by Dewey, 2 Lib. Notes, p. 100. - -[259] pp. 49, 50. - -[260] P. L. 1876, 487. - -[261] 26 L. J. Conf. 42. - -[262] p. 9. - -[263] Library Notes, pp. 107 (cut), 117. - -[264] Vol. 1, pp. 132, 134. - -[265] p. 16. - -[266] P. L. 1876, p. 487. - -[267] p. 42. - -[268] 2 Lib. Notes 105. - -[269] p. 50. - -[270] p. 12. - -[271] p. 151. - -[272] 14 P. L. 134. - -[273] p. 17. - -[274] Fletcher, p. 10. Clark, p. 170. - -[275] p. 279. - -[276] p. 94. - -[277] 26 L. J. Conf. 42. - -[278] p. 64. - -[279] A. L. A. Tract No. 4, p. 16. - -[280] 23 L. J. Conf. 17. - -[281] Vol. 25, p. 680. - -[282] P. L. 1876, p. 467. - -[283] 2 L. J. 31. - -[284] 4 L. J. 295. - -[285] p. 41. - -[286] See Koch, pl. 46. - -[287] Quoted 6 P. L. 609. - -[288] p. 66. - -[289] p. 76. - -[290] P. L. 1876, p. 526. - -[291] p. 99. - -[292] Clark, p. 90. - -[293] Clark, p. 99, (with cut). - -[294] See pl. 14, front windows. - -[295] Clarke, pp. 96, 98. - -[296] p. 66. - -[297] See B. R. Green, 25 L. J. 680. - -[298] Brochure Series, Nov. 1897, p. 169. - -[299] 3 P. L. 76. - -[300] p. 43. - -[301] 25 L. J. 680. - -[302] Vol. 2, pp. 97, 99. - -[303] p. 66. - -[304] p. 121. - -[305] Vol. 4, p. 241. - -[306] pp. 39, 67, 68. - -[307] Vol. 4, p. 88. - -[308] Vol. 12, p. 453. - -[309] Vol. 7, p. 10. - -[310] P. L., 1876, 238. - -[311] 30 L. J. Conf. 249. - -[312] 3 P. L. 284. - -[313] Vol. 8, p. 149. - -[314] p. 83. - -[315] P. L. 1876, 688. - -[316] p. 75. - -[317] 18 L. J. 254. - -[318] p. 66. - -[319] See Symposium, L. J. 1894 Conf. 42. See H. P. James, L. J. 1896 -Conf. 49. - -[320] P. L. 1876, 431. - -[321] P. L. 1876, p. 484. - -[322] p. 409. - -[323] p. 45. - -[324] p. 382. - -[325] 4 Lib. Asst. 197. - -[326] 2d Int. Lib. Conf. 1907, p. 103. - -[327] p. 484. - -[328] pp. 157, 168, 169, 226, 233. - -[329] Vol. 12, pp. 336, 337. - -[330] p. 130. - -[331] p. 68. - -[332] p. 78. - -[333] p. 94. - -[334] p. 390. - -[335] p. 89. - -[336] p. 387. - -[337] p. 88. - -[338] 8 Lib. Asso. Record, p. 179. - -[339] p. 316. - -[340] p. 158. - -[341] p. 306. - -[342] p. 153, § 186. - -[343] p. 66. - -[344] P. L. 1876, p. 471. - -[345] 16 L. J. Conf., no. 104. - -[346] p. 192. - -[347] 13 Libr. Asso. Record, 206. - -[348] P. L. 1876, 471. - -[349] L. Pr. 48. - -[350] p. 71. - -[351] p. 327. - -[352] p. 308. - -[353] p. 270. - -[354] p. 94. - -[355] p. 234. - -[356] Vol. 8, p. 184. - -[357] p. 71. - -[358] p. 155. - -[359] 8 P. L. 22. - -[360] 35 L. J. 509. - -[361] p. 69. - -[362] p. 158. - -[363] p. 42. - -[364] p. 188 _et seq._ - -[365] p. 263. - -[366] p. 28. - -[367] p. 325, _ante_. - -[368] Champneys, 101. - -[369] p. 409. - -[370] p. 131. - -[371] p. 10. - -[372] L. C. Rept. 1901, p. 326. - -[373] pp. 69, 38, 43. - -[374] P. L. 1876, 470. - -[375] 11 L. J. Conf. 361. - -[376] pp. 138, 143. - -[377] p. 292. - -[378] p. 154. - -[379] p. 12. - -[380] p. 102. - -[381] pp. 408, 105. - -[382] p. 116. - -[383] p. 291. - -[384] p. 19. - -[385] p. 46. - -[386] 13 L. J. 339. - -[387] p. 295. - -[388] p. 129. - -[389] 30 inches. - -[390] pp. 10, 18. - -[391] p. 295. - -[392] p. 47. - -[393] p. 129. - -[394] 18 L. J. 225. - -[395] p. 45. - -[396] p. 54. - -[397] p. 291. - -[398] p. 18. - -[399] p. 113. - -[400] Other Superintendents provided in the space allotted department. - -[401] The offices of the other superintendents are directly connected -with their respective departments. - - - - -INDEX - - - Acetylene gas, 201. - - Adams, Herbert B., cited, 59, 96, 130, 325. - - Administration rooms, 64, 233, 361. - - Advice, free, 145. - - Ahern, Mary Eileen, 342. - - Air, 308, 360. - - Alcoves, 7, 13, 48, 49, 55, 57, 61, 189. - - Alterations, 73, 99. - - Altering new buildings, 74. - - Amateurs dangerous, 120. - - Ancient History, 4, 13. - - American Institute of Architects, 145, 149, 154. - - American Library Association, 14, 15, 96. - - A. L. A. Com. on Ventilation, etc., 212, 308. - - A. L. A. Tract No. 4, 36, 38, 41, 277. - - American Library Institute, 302. - - Andrews, Clement W., 205, 207, 307, 332. - - Annual outlay, limiting, 104. - - Annual Register, 301. - - Ante-room, librarian’s, 240. - - Antiquarian libraries, 59. - - Apprentice class, 373. - - Approaches, 172. - - Arabs, 7. - - Architect, Dedication, 32, 146, 150, 153, 213. - - Architectural competitions, 154. - - Architectural Review, 10. - - Architectural styles, 117. - - Architecture, 29, 31, 119, 329. - - Areas, 224, 373. - - Art galleries, 72. - - Art rooms, 329, 333, 374. - - Asinius Pollio, 4. - - Aspect, 194. - - Assyria, 3, 8. - - Astor Library, N. Y., 13, 131. - - Athenæums, 49. - - Attics, 182. - - Auditorium, 374. - - Augustus, 4. - - Automobiles, 260. - - - Barometers, 354. - - Basement, 40, 180, 340. - - Begin early, 100. - - Belden, Charles F. D., 37. - - Bells, 374. - - Benedict, Saint, 7. - - Bernardiston, Mass., P. L., 41. - - Bethnal Green (Eng.) L., 299. - - Bibliothèque St. Geneviève, 15, 92. - - Bicycles, 260, 375. - - Billings, Dr. John S., 177, 212. - - Binding, 253, 375. - - Birmingham (Eng.) P. L., 98. - - Blades, Wm., 219. - - Blame for faults, 35. - - Blind, The, 321, 381. - - Bluemner, Oscar, 39, 40, 89, 93, 131, 136, 180, 189, 248, 295, - 307. - - Bodleian L., Oxford, 9, 10, 296. - - Bolton, C. K., 337. - - Bookcases, closed, 272. - dwarf, 267. - radial, 274. - rolling or sliding, 75, 299. - - Book Order Department, 375. - - Book storage, 261. - - Books of odd sizes, 267. - - Bookworms, 219. - - Boston Herald, 15. - - Boston Public Library, 13, 15, 32, 92, 96, 114, 224, 230, 280. - - Boston School Doc. No. 14, 1907, 115, 205, 207. - - Boston Transcript, 88. - - Bostwick, Arthur E., cited, 17, 27, 35, 65, 68, 70, 80, 148, - 155, 186, 194, 197, 231, 235, 241, 247, 251, 252, 254, 256, - 257, 274, 310, 317, 318, 319, 321, 323, 324, 325, 327, 330, - 331, 332, 333, 342, 344, 345, 349. - - Bowdoin College Lib., 75, 301. - - Bowerman, George F., 75. - - Boxford, Mass., P. L., 41. - - Branch libraries, 67. - - Branches, service of, 256. - - Branford, Conn., P. L., 131. - - Brick, 41. - - Brigham, Johnson, 57. - - British Museum, 3, 10, 225, 268, 299, 301, 345. - - Brochure Series, cited, 293. - - Brookline, Mass., P. L., 105. - - Brooklyn, N. Y., P. L., 69, 176, 226, 242, 367. - - Brown, Jas. Duff—_see_ Duff-Brown. - - Brown University Library, 105, 156, 205, 246, 287. - - Buckland, Mass., P. L., 41. - - Building Acts, English, 175. - - Building committee, 35, 136, 152. - - Bulletin boards, 352. - - Burgoyne, F. J., cited, 23, 25, 27, 92, 93, 95, 98, 114, 157, - 167, 190, 197, 198, 200, 230, 259, 268, 296, 299, 315, 316, - 320, 330, 354. - - Business libraries, 52. - - - California, University of, 156. - - Canfield, Dr. James H., 60, 134. - - Canterbury, The Prior’s Chapel, 8. - - Capacity of shelves, 277, 298. - - Carnegie, Andrew, 15, 38, 67, 102, 131. - - Carr, Henry J., 88, 139, 144, 345, 348. - - Carrels, 6, 61, 107, 286. - - Carrere and Hastings, 367. - - Carriers, mechanical, 62, 118, 230, 375. - - Catalog cases, 64, 244, 350, 377. - - Cataloguing rooms, 246, 376. - - Ceilings, 183. - - Cellars, 40, 182, 328. - - Central spaces, 224. - - Century Dictionary, 29. - - Chairs, 346. - - Champneys, A. L., cited, 13, 22, 27, 85, 86, 92, 95, 103, 113, - 114, 115, 153, 157, 173, 175, 186, 189, 193, 208, 210, 228, - 239, 249, 253, 260, 275, 284, 291, 300, 304, 314, 317, 319, - 320, 332, 333, 334, 337, 339, 341, 344, 345. - - Change, provision for, 166. - - Chicago World’s Fair, 118. - - Children’s room, 318, 377. - - Christiania Fjord, 23. - - Christ’s Hospital, London, 8. - - Cincinnati Public Library, 71. - - Circular stairs, 177. - - Cistercians, 7. - - City Club, Chicago, 207. - - Clairvaux, 8. - - Clark, George T., cited, 220. - - Clark, John Willis, cited, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 115, 194, 273, - 286, 295. - - Class rooms, 270, 324, 333. - - Classes of libraries, 37, 47. - - Classical style, 117, 118. - - Claude & Starck, 30. - - Clay’s School Buildings, cited, 319. - - Cleaning, 217, 252. - - Cleanliness, 217. - - Clerestories, 200. - - Clocks, 364. - - Closets, 226, 377. - - Club libraries, 47. - - Coat rooms, 257. - - Cole, George Watson, 256. - - College libraries, 61. - - Color, 115, 203, 293. - - Columbia University, 177. - - Columns, 109. - - Comfort rooms, 257. - - Competition, New York, 359. - - Competitions, architectural, 86, 90, 154. - - Competitions, judges of, 158. - - Concentric cases, 274. - - Concourse, 200. - - Concrete, 38, 42, 220. - - Concrete examples 357. - - Conflicts, 32. - - Congress, Library of, 194, 195, 197, 225, 226, 231, 247, 292, - 328, 330, 332, 336, 337. - - Congressional Documents, 302. - - Contests, 34. - - Conversation rooms, 338. - - Coolidge, Charles A., 147, 206. - - Copying blindly, 92. - - Cornell University Library, 345. - - Cornices, 109. - - Correlation of parts, 181. - - Cost, 102, 104. - - Cost of running, 85. - - Cotgreave, Alfred, cited, 95. - - Courtyards, 224. - - Coutts, H. T., 254. - - Cravath and Lansingh, cited, 203. - - Crerar Library, Chicago, 205. - - Crunden, Frederick M., cited, 126. - - Cubic contents, 103. - - Cubicles, 285. - - Curtains, 194. - - Cutter, Charles A., 92, 189, 285, 325. - - Cutting down cost, 104. - - - Dampness, 8. - - Dana, John C, cited, 17, 65, 98, 99, 107, 269, 271, 319, 327. - - Dark Ages, 77. - - Dark places, 226. - - Dark stacks, 295. - - Darlington, Wis., P. L., 30. - - Decoration, 114. - - Delassert, 11. - - Delivery desk, 248, 348. - - Delivery room, 248, 225, 378. - - Delivery station room, 378. - - Department libraries, 60, 61. - - Departments, 233. - heads of, 240. - - Development, 10. - - Dewey, Melvil, 68, 176, 193, 263, 265, 266, 268, 307, 326. - - Dial, Chicago, 28. - - Diffused light, 115. - - Domes, 75, 109, 187. - - Donors, 130. - - Don’t build too soon, 99. - - Don’t put off too long, 100. - - Doors, 173, 174. - - Doyle, ——, 254. - - Drains, 215. - - Dry-rot deadening, 121. - - Duff-Brown, James, cited, 10, 11, 27, 85, 91, 95, 103, 113, - 137, 139, 141, 143, 157, 175, 239, 250, 253, 256, 260, 274, - 300, 309, 314, 315, 319, 320, 321, 323, 324, 331, 332, 334, - 337, 341, 344, 345, 348, 354. - - Duplicates, 328. - - Durham, 6, 288. - - Dust, 217, 219, 379. - - - Eastman, Wm. R., cited, 36, 38, 43, 84, 85, 93, 95, 96, 97, - 112, 149, 155, 184, 209, 258, 265, 274, 344, 345. - - Economy of expert advice, 87. - - Economy paramount, 83. - - Education, 332. - - Educational libraries, 60. - - Edwards, Edward, cited, 13, 130, 345. - - Electric light, 202. - fixtures, 207. - switches, 203. - systems, 203. - - Elevators, 220, 228, 291, 379. - - Eliot, President, 171. - - Elmendorf, Theresa West, 142, 155. - - Encyclopædia Britannica, 11th ed.; cited, 22. - - Endowed libraries, 65. - - Enemies of books, 219. - - Engineer, 379. - - England, 77. - - Enlargements, 73. - - Entrances, 172. - - Epilogue, 404. - - Episcopal Theological School, Cambridge, Mass., 170, 287. - - Equipment, 341. - - Escorial, 8, 10. - - Evolution of library buildings, 3, 90. - - Exceptional cases, 71. - - Executive offices, 369, 379. - - Exhibitions, 334, 364, 380. - - Expert advice, 87. - - Experts, 359. - - Experts’ fees, 86. - - Exterior growth, 169. - - Extras, 162. - - Extravagances, 86. - - - Faults to be looked for, 109. - - Faunce, Dr. W. H. P., 147. - - Features, 163. - - Fees, architects’, 144, 145, 161. - - Fees, library advisers’, 145. - - File your plans, 171, 216, 359. - - Fire, 219. - - Fire buckets, 221. - - Fireplaces, 209. - - Fireproof vaults, 223, 390. - - Firmitas, 20. - - Firmitas, Utilitas, Venustas, _Title_, 19. - - Fittings, 354. - - Fixtures, electric, 207. - - Fletcher, Wm. I., cited, 10, 27, 65, 66, 85, 88, 91, 130, 141, - 169, 181, 189, 194, 263, 273, 278, 281, 285, 337, 344. - - Floor arrangements, 370. - cases, 273. - coverings, 185. - - Floors, 185, 361, 380. - - Folding press, 300. - - Folios, 267. - - Forecasting the years, 16. - - Foster, Wm. E., 88, 154, 190, 278, 311, 346. - - Fourth floor, 372. - - France, National Library of, 11. - - Frankness among librarians, 110. - - Free advice, 137. - - Freetown, Mass., P. L., 41. - - Fresh air, 108. - - Front door, 173. - - Furniture, 341. - - - Galleries, 189. - - Garage, 381. - - Garnett, Dr. Richard, cited, 3, 40, 170, 232, 299, 300, 301, - 330. - - Gas, 201, 219. - - Genealogical libraries, 59. - - Gentleman’s Magazine, 301. - - Gladstone, Wm. E., 47, 301. - - Glare, 194, 201. - - Glass, 198, 221. - ribbed, 294. - - Glasgow (Scot.), 98. - - Gloucester Cathedral, 288. - - Good advice, 139. - - Government libraries, 56. - - Grades of libraries, 36. - - Grandeur, 22. - - Grant’s tomb, 150. - - Grecian style, 118. - - Green, Bernard R., 139, 147, 193, 197, 230, 279, 297, 330. - - Green, Edward B., 25, 97, 134, 156. - - Ground floor, 371. - - Growth, limitations on, 170. - provision for, 169. - - - Half-hour reading, 313. - - Hallam, ——, 141. - - Halls, 175. - - Hamburg, 23. - - Hamlin, Prof. A. D. F., 34, 84, 367. - - Handrails, 177, 319. - - Hansard’s Debates, 301. - - Hare, H. T., 269, 309. - - Harvard College, 23, 126. - - Harvard Law School, 285. - - Harvard Univ. Lib., 12, 21, 280, 281, 285, 290, 301, 303. - - Head room, 266, 307. - - Health, 192. - - Heat, 108, 219, 360. - - Heating, 209, 296, 381. - - Historical libraries, 56, 58. - - History, ancient, 4. - dawn of, 3. - mediæval, 6. - modern, 10. - - Hodges, N. D. C, 217. - - Hot water heating, 211. - - - Ideal in planning, 79. - - Illumination, N. Y., 201, 208, 382. - - Indirect lighting, 204. - - Information Room, 249, 338, 381. - - Institution, The, 133. - - Institutional libraries, 49, 50. - - Interchange department, 381. - - Interior growth, 169. - - International Library Conference, cited, 39, 316. - - Introduction, 1. - - Ireland, 7. - - Irrepressible conflict, 25. - - Isadore, Bishop of Seville, 115. - - - Jackson, Annie B., 73. - - James, Hannah P., 313. - - Janitor, 251, 381. - - Jenner, Henry, 300. - - Jevons, Stanley, quoted, 126. - - John Crerar L., Chicago, 205. - - John Hay Library, Brown Univ., 105, 156, 205, 246, 287. - - Jones, Gardner M., 290. - - Judges of Competitions, 158, 359. - - Judgment of the public, 127. - - - Keene Valley, N. Y., P. L., 209. - - King’s College, Cambridge, 12. - - Koch, Theodore W., cited, 16, 43, 95, 283, 287, 308. - - Koopman, H. L., 205. - - - Lamm, E. N., 155. - - Lane, Wm. C., 301, 302, 303. - - Lane and Bolton, 337. - - Lavatory, 258. - - Law libraries, 54, 58. - - Lectures, 333. - - Ledges, 263, 291. - - Leeds (Eng.) P. L., 98. - - Leipsic, 23. - - Leopoldo della Santa, 11. - - Leyden, University of, 10, 273, 280. - - Librarian, The (magazine), cited, 92, 95, 185, 212, 300, 301. - - Librarian’s room, 239, 371, 379. - - Library, The (magazine), cited, 231, 301. - - Library Adviser, 143, 152. - - Library Architect, 42. - - Library Assistant, The (magazine), cited, 104, 315, 316, 332. - - Library Association of the United Kingdom, 299. - - Library Association Record, cited, 67, 93, 144, 167, 189, 192, - 198, 221, 253, 254, 256, 261, 269, 301, 309, 317, 320, 323, - 325, 330. - - Library Bureau, 96, 139, 342. - - Library Chronicle, cited, 300. - - Library Journal, N. Y., cited, 14, 15, 21, 28, 34, 39, 57, 58, - 61, 63, 67, 69, 74, 84, 85, 88, 89, 93, 97, 99, 105, 112, 134, - 139, 141, 142, 144, 147, 148, 154, 155, 156, 161, 176, 189, - 193, 197, 200, 208, 235, 256, 265, 274, 278, 279, 280, 292, - 297, 307, 310, 313, 319, 325, 332, 337, 344, 345, 348. - - Library of Congress—_see_ Congress. - - Library Notes (magazine), cited, 99, 192, 263, 265, 268, 299, - 301. - - Library science, 17, 27. - - Library World, cited, 254. - - Life of a library building, 97. - - Lifts, 220, 228, 291, 379. - - Light, 108, 109, 191, 201, 249, 308, 359, 382. - artificial, 201, 382. - natural, 193. - reflected, 115, 203. - - Light-reading room, 305, 313. - - Lighting, indirect, 204. - - Lightning, 221. - - Little, George T., 75, 301, 302, 303. - - Local history, 237. - - Local librarian as expert, 141, 152. - - Local literature, 323. - - Lockers, 382. - - Lunch rooms, 257, 387. - - Lymburn, James, 300, 304. - - - Magazines, 313, 314, 383. - - Magnusson, 11. - - Main floor, 371. - - Manchester (Eng.) P. L., 98. - - Manuscripts, 382. - - Maps, 331, 382. - - Marble, 23. - - Marks, L. B., 208. - - Marston’s Mills, Mass., P. L., 41. - - Marvin, Cornelia, cited, 30, 36, 38, 42, 43, 89, 95, 96, 97, - 103, 105, 116, 147, 148, 155, 169, 179, 180, 186, 194, 248, - 254, 258, 259, 265, 266, 269, 271, 285, 334, 339, 342, 345, 353. - - Massachusetts Report of 1899, cited, 40, 41, 95, 130. - - Massachusetts State Library, 289, 336. - - Material, 23, 61, 117, 177, 220, 360. - - Matthews, E. R. N., 251, 253, 255. - - Mauran, John L., 89, 141, 155, 161. - - Mayhew, H. M., 301. - - Mazarin, Cardinal, 9. - - Mechanical carriers, 62, 118, 230, 375. - - Mechanical service, 370. - - Mediæval history, 6. - - Medical libraries, 52. - - Mendon, Mass., P. L., 41. - - Mercantile libraries, 49, 71. - - Merton College L., Oxford, 7. - - Mezzanine floors, 181, 372. - - Mice, 219. - - Middle of blocks, 87. - - Minimum buildings, 52. - - Model of plan, 162. - - Moderate and medium libraries, 44. - - Modern history, 21. - - Monasteries, 6, 9. - - Mt. Holyoke College L., 190. - - Museums, 72. - - Music, 331, 382. - - - Neglect, 219. - - Never copy blindly, 92. - - Newark P. L., 176. - - Newberry Library, Chicago, 11, 278, 307. - - New York branch libraries, 69, 71, 208, 317. - - New York P. L., 174, 177, 212, 256, 295, 306, 359. - - Newspapers, 316, 383. - bound, 336. - - Nineteenth Century (magazine), cited, 47, 301. - - North Adams, Mass., P. L., 73. - - North Carolina University L., 12. - - North Scituate, Mass., P. L., 41. - - - Oil lights, 201. - - Olmsted, F. L., Jr., 367. - - Order of work, 159. - - Ornament, 109, 114, 128. - - Otis, W. A., 93, 117, 149. - - Our own era, 13. - - - Packing room, 251, 383. - - Pamphlets, 335. - - Panelled ceilings, 183. - - Parliament, Library of, Ottawa, 276. - - Partitions, 183. - - Passages, 175. - - Patent Office Gazette, 302, 303. - - Patent Office Library, London, 300. - - Patents, 326, 383. - - Patton, N. S., cited, 25, 63, 80, 139. - - Periodicals, 313, 314, 335, 383. - - Perkins, F. B., 305. - - Personnel, 123. - - Philadelphia P. L., 67. - - Photographic room, 330, 365, 372, 384. - - Photographs, 330, 374. - - Pilgrims, 11. - - Pisistratus, 4. - - Pite, Beresford, 24, 114. - - Pivot-press, 300. - - Place among buildings, 128. - - Plan inside first, 90. - - Plans, American, 95, 96. English, 95, 96. - examining, 94. - filing, 171, 216, 359. - - Plumbing, 215. - - Plummer, Mary W., 137. - - Pneumatic tubes, 384. - - Points of agreement, 13, 15, 16, 90. - - Poole, Dr. Wm. F., 11, 65, 80, 92, 99, 138, 143, 268, 314, 316, - 322, 337. - - Poole’s Index, 336. - - Poole plan, 11, 278, 304, 307, 322. - - Popular Science Monthly, cited, 63. - - Porticoes, 109, 172. - - Portland, Ore., P. L., 254. - - Present, The, 16. - - Princeton University, L., 276. - - Principles of planning, 77, 79. - - Printing, 253, 254, 384. - - Prints, 329, 330. - - Prismatic glass, 194. - - Privacy, 189, 307. - - Private libraries, 47. - - Problem always new, 89. - - Proctor, Prof., 192. - - Professional libraries, 51. - - Proprietary libraries, 49. - - Protection from enemies, 219. - - Providence P. L., 190, 249, 278, 338, 346. - - Provincetown, Mass., P. L., 41. - - Ptolemy Philadelphus, 4. - - Public, The, 125. - - Public Documents, 57, 327, 384. - - Public judgment, 140. - - Public libraries, 65. - - Public Libraries (magazine) cited, 25, 39, 40, 63, 65, 80, 89, - 93, 97, 99, 134, 143, 149, 155, 156, 180, 181, 189, 220, 248, - 254, 256, 257, 269, 283, 295, 307, 332. - - Public Libraries 1876, cited, 80, 88, 138, 182, 236, 247, 251, - 256, 264, 268, 280, 285, 310, 313, 314, 316, 319, 324, 326, - 337, 342. - - Public photographing, room, 330, 365, 372, 384. - - Public waiting rooms, 242. - - Puget Sound, 23. - - - Quartos, 267. - - Queen’s College L., Cambridge (Eng.), 295. - - Quiet, 307. - - - Radcliffe Library, Oxford, 11. - - Radial cases, 274. - - Radiators, 211, 384. - - Ranck, S. H., 39, 308. - - Rare books, 272, 302, 385. - - Reading, light, 313. - serious, 306, 363. - - Reading-room, 62, 305, 362. - - Reading-rooms, central, 225. - shelves in, 271. - - Redwood Library, Newport, 11. - - Reference room, 310, 385. - - Reformation, 9. - - Registration, 385. - - Reinick, Wm. R., 222. - - Report of Oculists, etc., 115, 205, 207. - - Rest rooms, 257. - - Restaurant, 372, 384. - - Revolving bookcases, 310. - - Revolving doors, 173. - - Richardson, E. C., 310. - - Richardson, Henry H., 14. - - Rochester, N. Y., Law Lib., 275. - - Rochester, N. Y., P. L., 88. - - Rolling cases, 299. - - Roof, 109, 187, 220, 386. - - Rooms, 179, 233, 362. - - Rooms, alphabetical list of, 373. - public, 362, 368. - work, 369. - - - Safes, fireproof, 223. - - Saint Charles College, La., 222. - - Sainte Geneviève Bibliothèque, 15, 92. - - Saint John’s College, Cambridge (Eng.), 9. - - Saint Louis Public Library, 71, 185, 206, 260, 325, 333. - - Salem, Mass., P. L., 74, 200, 287. - - Sanitary facilities, 259. - - School libraries, 60. - - Schoolhouse, 31. - - Schuyler, Montgomery, 118. - - Science, 326. - - Scientific libraries, 51. - - Scituate, Mass., P. L., 41. - - Second floor, 372. - - Selecting an architect, 146. - - Seminar rooms, 60, 62, 63. - - Serial sets, 335, 383. - - Serious reading room, 306. - - Service, 112. - - Sewers, 215. - - Shelf capacity, 277, 311. - bases, 263. - ledges, 265. - - Shelves in reading rooms, 269. - - Shelving, fixed or movable, 263. - generally, 262. - high or low, 266. - wall, 271. - wood or metal, 264, 282. - - Site, 128, 163. - - Size, 102, 104. - - Sizes of books, 267. - - Skylights, 199. - - Sliding cases, 75, 299. - - Small library buildings, 38, 42, 59. - - Social law library, Boston, 54, 55. - - Sorbonne, Library of, 194. - - Southwick, Mass., P. L., 41. - - Space, 309. - - Special collections, 337. - - Special libraries, 52. - - Special rooms, 322. - - Specialists, 208. - - Spirit of planning, 79. - - Springfield, Mass., P. L., 157, 185, 275. - - Stack, 14, 45, 46, 61, 161, 222, 225. - aisles, 289. - broken floors, 289. - capacity, 298. - carrels, 286. - dark, 288. - details, 288. - lighting, 292. - location, 283. - open access, 286. - shell, 283. - shelves, 292. - stairs, 176, 290. - towers, 297. - use by readers, 284. - windows, 294. - - Stacks generally, 280, 361, 370, 386. - - Stacks underground, 296. - - Staff quarters, 241, 243, 387. - - Stair landings, 177. - treads, 176. - - Stairs, 109, 176, 290, 388. - winding, 177, 246, 298. - - Standard Library, 190, 311, 388. - - Standpipes, 221. - - Stanley, ——, 61, 105. - - State libraries, 56. - - State library commissions, 137. - - Steam heat, 211. - - Steel construction, 18, 29, 45. - - Stenographer’s rooms, 243, 388. - - Steps, outside, 172. - - Stetson, W. K., 176, 235. - - Store-rooms, 227, 388. - - Stories, 109, 179. - - Storm doors, 174. - - Stoves, 207. - - Straight, Maude W., 254. - - Study of libraries, 94. - - Study rooms, 69, 270, 324, 363, 388. - - Sturgis, Dictionary of Architecture, cited, 39, 44, 117, 118, - 154, 198, 199, 283, 293. - - Suburban libraries, 70. - - Superintendents, 389. - - Supervision, 113. - - Supplies, 389. - - Sutton, Charles W., quoted, 67, 256. - - - Tables, 344. - - Tact, 81. - - Taj Mahal, 132. - - Talk, 339. - - Taps for cleaning, 218. - - Taste, 81. - - Telautograph, 232. - - Telephones, 62, 232, 389. - - Temperature, 212. - - Templeton, Mass., P. L., 41. - - Third floor, 372. - - Theological libraries, 52. - - Thermometers, 212, 354. - - Thoroughness, 81. - - Thrift, 81. - - Thwaites, Dr. Reuben G., 297. - - Time to build, 99. - - Todd, David P., 141. - - Toilet rooms, 259, 390. - - Top floors, 71, 180, 320. - - Traveling libraries, 256, 390. - - Trinity College L., Cambridge (Eng.), 9. - - Trinity College L., Dublin, 10, 300. - - Trustees, 134. - election of, 126. - room, 237. - - Tubes, Speaking, etc., 62, 232, 384. - - Tunnels, 231. - - - Umbrellas, 345. - - Unassigned rooms, 339. - - Underdraining, 215. - - U.S. Educational Report (1892-1893), 256. - - U.S. Government libraries, 56. - - U.S. Navy Dept. library, 24. - - U.S. Public Libraries—_see_ P. L., 1876. - - U.S. Supreme Court building, 56. - - University libraries, 60, 75. - - Unusual sizes of books, 267. - - Use, Utilitas, 21, 27. - - Useful arts, 326. - - Utilising every inch, 82. - - Utley, H. M., 39. - - - Van Name, Addison, 168. - - Vatican library, 5, 47. - - Vaults, 223, 390. - - Vehicles, 260. - - Ventilation, 108, 197, 209, 296, 308, 390. - by window-bar, 210. - - Venustas, 22. - - Vermin, 219. - - Very large buildings, 45. - - Vestibules, 173. - - Visits to libraries, 94. - - Vitruvius, 19, 20. - - - Waiting rooms, public, 242. - - Wall shelving, 271. - - Walls, 183. - - Ware and Van Brunt, 280. - - Warehouse for work, 253, 254. - - Wash-bowls, 218. - - Washington, George, quoted, 125. - - Waste of space, 109. - - Water, 219, 221, 390. - - Webster’s Dictionary, 288. - - Wellman, Hiller C., 275. - - Westbury, Mass., P. L., 41. - - West Tisbury, Mass., P. L., 41. - - What conflict is possible? 32. - - What contest is likely? 34. - - Where does the library come in? 31. - - Where lies the blame? 35. - - Which should prevail? 152. - - Whitney, James L., 193. - - Whittington, Sir Richard, 8. - - Widman, ——, 222. - - Wilson, R. E., 256. - - Winding stairs, 177. - - Window bar ventilation, 210. - - Windows, 109, 196, 390. - false, 295. - true, 294. - - Windsor, P. L., 332. - - Winsor, Justin, 80, 92, 120, 247, 251, 256, 280, 313, 324, 326, - 337. - - Wisconsin Historical Society, 59, 325. - - Wise election of Trustees, 126. - - Wolfenbüttel Library, 11. - - Women’s rooms, 320. - - Wood as fuel, 209. - for building, 23. - - Woodbine, H., 261, 301. - - Workshops, 31. - - Wraps, 257. - - Wren, Sir Christopher, 9. - - Writing room, 391. - - - Y. M. C. A. libraries, 50. - - - Zutphen (Holland), 8. - - - - -Epilogue - - -The outline sketched in this volume should suggest, even to skimmers,— - -That the business of planning a library is specific, technical and -minute;— - -That it is like the planning of other useful structures which can be -spoiled by blunders of ignorance, or by sins done in the name of art;— - -That it is folly to leave such serious work to tyros or dabblers,—even to -architects who are amateur librarians;— - -That a committee can direct, an architect can construct, but only a wise -and mature librarian can plan a library where the staff can work, and -where the readers can see, think and breathe. - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HOW TO PLAN A LIBRARY BUILDING FOR -LIBRARY WORK *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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