Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-10-26
THE billings LIBRARY.


AS we announced few days ago, the
complete plans of the new Billings library
have arrived and are now TO be seen in the
office OF ii. o. Wheeler, treasurer Of the
University. The front elevation shows a
magnificent structure of stone, 166 feet long.
The building is to be in what is known as
the Romanesque style, the round Roman arch
predominating over the pointed Gothic. The
plan is divided into three parts the middle
portion, with the grand entrance, porch and
tower, the circular apse on the right, for the
Marsh collection, and the elongated wing on
the left for the library proper. A general
front view shows the central gable, flauked
on the left by the tower, 90 feet in height
the apse, with its dome-like roof coming to
an apex 81 feet from the ground and the
library proper, with two of its four corner
turrcts The main entrance Of the building
is through large arch, 20 feet in widta. and
above the arch is an alcade consisting OF five
tall windows, three feet wide and fifteen feet
high, with double stone columns
between them. The entrance is approach
ed by graduated flight of stone steps.
the first of which is 32l feet long, and each
step is IA inches wide. Before reaching the
doors, one will pass through a grand porch,
% feet long, and Z feet wide. The gable
over the front entrance is Ga feet high, and
has near the apex circular block OF rough
stone, four feet in diameter. This is to BE- ap-
propriately carved. Upon entering the build
ing one will find himself in the reading room
and memorial hall, n spacious apartment 4S
feet long by 43 feet wide, with lofty ceiling
extending to the top of the building, aud
handsome exposed beams. Opposite to the
entrance is to be very large aud deep old
fashioned fireplace, with seats within and on
either side. This fireplace juts out into the
room about eight feet, and is 16 feet wide
and 90 feet high. 1t is to have elaborately
carved panels aud baluscrs and will be most
handsomely finished throughout. To the
right Of this hall will lie the circular apsc de-
voted to the Marsh collection, with its dome
like ceiling open clear to the roof, and show
ing the curved beams. The apse will be AZ
feet in diameter and 81 feet high, and
will be lighted by high windows.
There will be two rows of book shelves, one
upon the ground floor and one at the height
of the windows, reached by u winding stair
case, aud gallery extending entirely around
the apartment. At the left of the reading
room will he the library proper, with low
ceiling for the purpose Of heating in winter.
The other apartments will not be heated.
The library will also be lighted by high
windows, and will have alcoves for books
both upon the ground floor and at the height
of the gallery, which will he reached by
a winding staircase. There will be
three cosy rooms for special study opening
of the gallery and looking down upon the
reading room. This apartment will be 90
feet long by 4 feet wide In the basement
of the building there will be large storage
room, connected by slide with the library
but the steam heating apparatus will be
placed outside in a separate building, and
connected with the library by system of di-
rect radiation. There are 10 be five circular
stairways, in the four turrc,s and in the
tower. In the main tower, 2S feet
from the ground will be a large open belfry
stage, surrounded by groups Of tall columns.
The tower aud all the turrets are to have
stone roofs. The rear plan Of the building
is plain, with gable and two large circular
head windows. Only an imperfect idea of
the beauty and staleliuess of the building eau
be obtained from the mere plaus, but they
show beyond doubt that it is destined to be
by far the finest building of its kind in the
State, and one of the finest in the whole
country, an honor to Its don +, to the Uni
versily and TO our city.