# Library Construction, Architecture, Fittings, and Furniture

Part 2 of the Library Series.
EDITOR'S INTRODUCTION
The development of libraries during the latter part of the nineteenth century may be compared with that of cathedrals and abbeys in Norman times, or that of colleges and grammar-schools under the Tudors. In all these cases the age, instinctively discerning its needs, partly by public effort, partly by private munificence, covered the land with edifices for their satisfaction. In so doing it necessarily gave rise to a number of architectural problems. That the libraries of the present day, however smaller in scale, may not be architecturally less honourable to their epoch than the corresponding constructions of the past, must be the earnest aspira- tion of all who regard them as among the charac- teristic monuments of the nineteenth century, and a most important manifestation of its intellectual activity. This ideal is the more difficult of attain- ment, inasmuch as obstacles now exist which were comparatively unfelt in the Middle Ages. The mediaeval pious founder was frequently his own architect; at all events, paying the piper, he called the tune. In any case, there was a thorough com- munity of feeling between him and the builders
he employed. The builder was thoroughly broken ​in to his task, and entirely absorbed in it; since, from the inevitable slowness of mediaeval operations, arising from the deficiency of capital and labour, the erection of an abbey or a college might be the sole occupation of a lifetime. Far different is it now, when the most extensive architectural undertakings seldom require more than three or four years, and the same architect is equally ready to turn out a church, a library, a theatre, or a bank. It is inevitable that in the absence of special knowledge of and special devotion to a particular style of edifice, the sentiment of architectural display should gain the upper hand. Hence a continual conflict between the architect who desires a handsome elevation, and the librarian who aims at practical convenience; frequently determined by a committee endowed with no great feeling for either.
Parodying a famous saying, it may be safely affirmed that this state of things will continue more or less until architects are librarians, or librarians architects. It is, meanwhile, a very useful service to bring the parties together as near as may be, by the simple exhibition of what has been done; showing how difficulties have been met, and objects attained, occasionally even how they have been missed. Mr. Burgoyne has performed this service for both professions in this little volume, destined, in the Editor's judgment, to rank among the most valuable contributions hitherto made to library literature. By copious illustration, indicative of extensive research, he has shown how the problems ​incident to the accommodation of books, and the adaptation of all parts of a library to the public service, have been actually dealt with in the most civilised parts of the world. Librarians and architects are thus supplied with a number of models to choose from, and abundant hints for further deve10pment from the combination of the best points of existing edifices. With this will be found much valuable counsel respecting the organisation of a library in. so far as the material fabric is concerned, including in this deﬁnition furniture and fittings, mechanical aids to efficiency, and protection from fire and other perils.
One important feature of a work like this is that it enables us in a manner to codify the maxims already deduced from experience. It will be found that there are many points upon which librarians are practically unanimous; arrangements common to most of the leading libraries here described, other arrangements which they practically concur in rejecting. Such observations may be developed into a code of rules, extending gradually by experience, until, allowing for the inevitable differences in the special needs of the various libraries, all important points have the sanction of general consent. It is impossible to enumerate such details within the limits of a preface. One cardinal rule may be laid down, always to design with reference to the probable future of the library. If it is destined to perpetual insignificance, no particular provision is necessary; but if to a great expansion, this should be foreseen and provided for from the ​first. A generous view should be taken of such a library, ample space for additions should be secured, and the plan should be so framed that any future accretion should be a legitimate and harmonious development of the original model. So liberal a procedure, however, is only practi- cable when and where the public library has established itself in the public consciousness as an institution of paramount importance. American libraries are planned on a larger scale than the British, and with more complete appliances, be- cause the library and the librarian are more regarded in America than here. It rests with librarians themselves, and with national instructors generally, to raise the British conception to the American standard, and with the public itself to demonstrate the inadequacy of the existing libraries by copious resort to them. Should this come to pass, the subject of library architecture will gain greatly in importance, and as the nineteenth century has been an age of construction, the twentieth may prove one of reconstruction.
R. Garnett.
PREFACE
This book has been written in the hope that it will be of service to those librarians, architects, and members of library committees, who have in hand the planning of new libraries, or the adaptation of existing buildings to library purposes.
As this is the first treatise written upon the subject, it cannot fail to have imperfections; but the numerous plans with which it is illustrated must prove of great value to all interested in the subject. Some of them have been specially drawn for this work, and others, more especially those of continental buildings, have been copied from works not often to be found in British reference libraries. The aim of the book has been the strictly practical and useful, and accordingly technicalities have been avoided as far as possible.
My most cordial thanks are due to many librarians and architects for information freely given, and the loan of plans and blocks for the illustrations.
FRANK J. BURGOYNE.
CONTENTS
* CHAPTER I
* PAGE
* THE EARLY LIBRARIES—SITES—ALCOVE AND STACK METHODS OF STORING BOOKS—ARRANGEMENT OF THE ROOMS—PLAN, ELEVATION, AND FACADE—DECORATION DANGER OF FIRE, AND THE NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS FLOORING................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................1–25
* CHAPTER II
* NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING—HEATING AND VENTILATION................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................26–38
* CHAPTER III
* METHODS OF SHELVING BOOKS—DR. POOLE'S PLAN FOR A LARGE LIBRARY—STORAGE CAPACITY OF A ROOM—CONSTRUCTION OF BOOKCASES IN WOOD AND METAL— BRITISH MUSEUM SLIDING BOOKCASE SHELVING FOR FOLIOS—VIRGO'S BOOKCASE................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................39–72
* CHAPTER IV
* THE ELLIOT, COTGREAVE, DUPLEX, MORGAN, SIMPLEX, CHIVERS, AND BONNER INDICATORS CARD—CATALOGUES—BULLETIN BOARDS—THE TELEPHONE AND TELAUTOGRAPH PHOTOGRAPHY................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................73–94
* CHAPTER V
* FURNITURE AND APPLIANCES : TRUCKS, LADDERS, STEPS, BOOK-LIFTS, TABLES, EASELS, BOOK SUPPORTS, NEWSPAPER AND MAGAZINE RACKS, CHAIRS, NEWSPAPER STANDS, DUSTING MACHINES, ETC.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................95–127
* CHAPTER VI
* THE BRITISH MUSEUM................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................128–140
* CHAPTER VII
* BRITISH PUBLIC LIBRARIES : ABERDEEN, BELFAST, BIRMINGHAM, BLACKBURN, BOOTLE, BRISTOL, CHELTENHAM, DARLINGTON, DERBY, DUBLIN, EDINBURGH, GLASGOW................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................141–166
* CHAPTER VIII
* BRITISH PUBLIC LIBRARIES (continued) : LIVERPOOL, MANCHESTER, NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, PRESTON, ST. HELENS, WIDNES, WIGAN, WORCESTER................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................167–189
* CHAPTER XIII
* EUROPEAN LIBRARIES: BIBLIOTHÉQUE NATIONALS, PARIS; BIBLIOTHÉQUE ST. GENEVIÉVE, PARIS; STADT-BIBLIOTHEK ZU FRANKFURT; UNIVERSITÄTSBIBLIOTHEK ZU HALLE; UNIVERSITÄTS-BIBLIOTHEK ZU LEIPZIG; KAISERLICHE UNIVERSITÄTS UND LANDES-BIBLIOTHEK IN STRASSBURG; HER-ZOGL-BIBLIOTHEK ZU WOLFENBÜTTEL; THE VALLIANO LIBRARY AT ATHENS................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................293–313
* APPENDIX
* LISTS OF ILLUSTRATIONS OF LIBRARIES, WHICH HAVE APPEARED IN THE "AMERICAN ARCHITECT," "ARCHITECT," "BRITISH ARCHITECT," "BUILDER," AND "BUILDING NEWS"................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................314–326
* INDEX................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................327–336
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
* National Library of Ireland, Elevation
* Frontspeice
* FIG.PAGE
* 1.Interior of the Bodleian Library, Oxford................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................2
* 2.Plan of the old library at Wolfenbüttel................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................3
* 3.Santa's plan for a library................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................4
* 4.Plan of a library arranged on the alcove system................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................10
* 5.Plan of the same area shelved on the stack system................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................11
* 6.Plan of the Königl.-Bibliothek, at Stuttgart................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................20
* 7.Dr. Poole's plan for a library................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................46
* 8.The Tonks' shelf fitting................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................51
* 9.Shelf fitting in use at the new Record Office................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................52
* 10.Library Bureau shelf-pin................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................52
* 11.Chivers' automatic shelf-bracket................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................54
* 12.Olivers' wedge shelf-bracket................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................54
* 13.Library Bureau steel book-stack................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................56
* 14.Halle University Library, section through stack-room................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................58
* 15.Halle University Library, section through bookcases................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................59
* 16.Greifswald University Library, section through stack-room................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................61
* 17.Göttingen University Library, construction of bookcase and gallery................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................62
* 18.Halle University Library, step and iron floor................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................63
* 19.Amsterdam University Library, iron floor................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................64
* 20.British Museum, sliding press................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................66
* 21.Strasslntrg University Library, shelving for folios................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................68
* 22.British Museum, folio supports................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................68
* 23.British Museum, portfolio case for maps................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................69
* 24.Bibliothèque Nationale, Paris, table-shelf................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................70
* 25.The Elliot indicator................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................75
* 26.The Cotgreave indicator................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................77
* 27.The Cotgreave indicator book................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................79
* 28.The Simplex indicator................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................83
* 29.The Chivers indicator................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................84
* 30.The Chivers indicator, enlarged................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................85
* 31.Card-catalogue cabinet................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................88
* 32.Card-catalogue drawer................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................90
* 33.Lambert's magazine frame, with movable titles................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................91
* 34.Book-truck from the University Library at Gottingen................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................96
* 35–37.Cotgreave's automatic steps................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................97–99
* 38.Library Bureau step................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................100
* 39–41.Metal book supports................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................101–103
* 42.The Crocker book brace................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................103
* 43.The Barrett wire book support................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................104
* 44.Book-lift in use in the British Museum................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................105
* 45.Cable book-carrier in use at the Library of Congress................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................106
* 46.Reader's desk in use at the British Museum................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................108
* 47.Reader's desk in use at the British Museum, movable portion................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................109
* 48.Library Bureau magazine rack................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................111
* 49.Cotgreave's wall rack for magazines................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................112
* 50.Cotgreave's table-rack for small magazines................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................113
* 51.Library Bureau table-rack................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................114
* 52.Bowry's newspaper file, open................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................115
* 53.Bowry's newspaper file, closed................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................115
* 54.The Banbury newspaper file................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................116
* 55.Walker's book-rack and slip-sorter................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................117
* 56.Ladder from the Royal Library, Brussels................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................118
* 57.The Victor ladder................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................119
* 58.Table-easel from the Newcastle-upon-Tyne Public Library................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................120
* 59.Table-easel from the University Library, Göttingen................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................121
* 60.Table-easel for copying................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................122
* 61.Heathcote revolving newspaper-holder................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................123
* 62.Lambert's newspaper clip................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................124
* 63.Chivers newspaper-holder................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................125
* 64.Harvey dusting machine................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................126
* 65.British Museum, plan of Reading-room and Library................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................135
* 66.Aberdeen Public Library, plan of lending department................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................143
* 67.Blackburn Public Library................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................147
* 68.Bootle Public Library and Museum, plan of ground floor................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................149
* 69.Edward Pease Library, Darlington, plan................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................152
* 71.National Library of Ireland, Dublin, plan of ground floor................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................154
* 72.National Library of Ireland, Dublin, plan of first floor................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................155
* 73.National Library of Ireland, Dublin, section through building................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................157
* 74.National Library of Ireland, Dublin, section through bookcase................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................158
* 75.Edinburgh Public Library, plan of lending department................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................160
* 76.Edinburgh Public Library, plan of reference department................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................161
* 77.Mitchell Library, Glasgow, plan of ground floor................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................164
* 78.Mitchell Library, (ilasgow, plan of first floor................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................165
* 79.Manchester Central Library, plans................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................172
* 80.Manchester, Gorton Branch Library, plans................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................173
* 81.Manchester, Openshaw Branch Library, plans................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................176
* 82.Newcastle-upon-Tyne Public Library, plan of ground Moor................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................178
* 83.Newcastle-upon-Tyne Public Library, plan of first floor................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................179
* 84.Gamble Institute, St. Helens, elevation................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................183
* 85.Wigan Public Library, plan of ground floor................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................186
* 86.Victoria Institute, Worcester, plan of library................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................188
* 87.Guildhall Library, London, interior................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................193
* 88.Battersea Central Library, plan of ground floor................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................194
* 89.Battersea Central Library, plan of first floor................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................195
* 90.Bishopsgate Institute, London, plan of ground floor................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................199
* 91.Camberwell Central Library, plan................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................200
* 92.Chelsea Central Library, plan of ground floor................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................202
* 93.Chelsea Central Library, plan of first floor................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................203
* 94.Croydon Central Library, plan of the lending department................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................209
* 95.Edmonton Library, plan of ground floor................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................210
* 96.Edmonton Library, plan of first floor................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................211
* 97.Passmore Edwards Public Library, Hammersmith, elevation................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................213
* 98.Passmore Edwards Public Library, Hammersmith, plan................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................215
* 99.Hampstead Central Library, plan................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................216
* 100.Tate Central Library, Brixton, plan of ground floor................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................220
* 101.Tate Central Library, Brixton, plan of first floor................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................221
* 102.Tate Branch Library, South Lambeth, plan................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................222
* 103.North Lambeth Library, plan................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................224
* 104.West Norwood Library, plan................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................225
* 105.Poplar Public Library, plan................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................226
* 106.St. George's, Hanover Square, Public Library, plan of ground................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................229
* 107.Tate Public Library, Streatham, plan................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................233
* 108.West Ham Technical Institute................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................234
* 109.West Ham Technical Institute, plan of library portion................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................236
* 110.Westminster Public Library, plan................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................237
* 111.Boston Public Library, Mass., elevation................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................241
* 112.Boston Public Library, Mass., plan of ground floor................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................245
* 113.Boston Public Library, Mass., plan of first floor................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................247
* 114.Boston Public Library, Mass., interior of the Bates Hall................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................249
* 115.Boston Public Library, Mass., book-waggon................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................251
* 116.Boston Public Library, Mass., plan of second floor................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................253
* 117.Library of Congress, Washington, plan................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................259
* 118.Mercantile Library Association, New York, plan of lending library................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................262
* 119.Mercantile Library Association, New York, book-stack and delivery counter................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................263
* 120.Mercantile Library Association, New York, plan of reading-room................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................265
* 121.Buffalo Public Library, plan of ground floor................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................270
* 122.Minneapolis Public Library, plan of ground floor................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................272
* 123.Cornell University Library, plan of main floor................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................276
* 124.Cornell University Library, plan of third floor................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................278
* 125.Milwaukee Library and Museum, plan of ground floor................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................281
* 126.Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, plan of ground floor................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................283
* 127.Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, plan of first floor................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................286
* 128.Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, plan of second floor................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................287
* 129.Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, delivery desk and stack-room................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................289
* 130.Peabody Institute, Baltimore, plan................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................291
* 131.National Library, Paris, plan of ground floor................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................294
* 132.National Library, Paris, plan of reading-room................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................295
* 133.The State Library, Frankfurt, plan of ground floor................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................300
* 134.The State Library, Frankfurt, plan of first floor................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................301
* 135.Halle University Library, plan of ground floor................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................302
* 136.Leipzig University Library, plan of ground floor................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................304
* 137.Strassburg Imperial Library, plan of ground floor................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................306
* 138.Strassburg Imperial Library, plan of first floor................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................307
* 139.Strassburg Imperial Library, section................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................309
* 140.Wolfenbüttel new library, plan of ground floor................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................310
* 141.Valliano Library, Athens, plan of first floor................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................312