Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-06-25
THE STATE LIBRARY.
Improvements That Are Now In Progre.
Therein

Improvements That Are Now In Progress
Therein
Now that the State Library is kept open
on evenings, as well as Sundays, an ex.
cellent opportunity is afforded the public
to avail itself of the advantages offered for
the qualification of literary tastes and the
accumulation of practical knowledge. The
extension of the hours to suit the conven.
fence of the public is not, however: the
only improvement made since the begin
ming of Mr.. Perkins administration. In
fact, the Improvements have been 80 num-
erous that a general transformation is the
result, and when completed they will make
the library comfortable, convenient and an
artistic luxury.
The O'Neil brothers are now at work
frescoing the private Office, and are exer-
cising every device of the decorative art to
make the effect rich, unique and appropri-
ate. A feature of the decoration will be
the portraits of four American authors,
Hawthorne, Irving, Longfellow and Bry-
ant, which will be painted in medalions on
the ceiling. On the first of July the fires.
coers will begin work on the general de-
partment, where it is expected that designs
will be executed in keeping with the ele-
CANT and artistic architecture of the library.
A new carpet for the main floor is now
being manufactured in New York it will
be entirely in one piece. and is of the same
pattern and color as the carpet that took
the prize at the last Worlds Fair. The
steps and galleries have all been supplied
with carpets and double Innings to prevent
the unnecessary noise of persons walking,
that was wont to disturb the student in
former days. Another improvement that
is very much appreciated by the frequent
ers of the State Library, is the electric bell
system that has been adopted for the sum-
moning of deputies and ianitors in prefer
ence to the vocal exercises formerly neces.
sary.
In the recess at the head of the stairs on
the second floor a handsome book case and
reading counter for illustrated periodicals
is to be placed, and each of the alcoves is
to be fitted up with neat table and two
comfortable upholstered chairs.
In making his Improvements Mr.. Per-
kins has shown an admirable spirit of con-
sideratian for the many lady visitors to the
State Library, as well as the lady employees.
Curtains have been arranged around the
galleries, which, while being useful in pro-
tecting ladies from the gaze of spectators
below, are decidedly ornamental, and lend
that charm of poetic seclusion that is con.
sistent with the ideas one naturally forms
in connection with great library.
Another thoughtful bit of work is en-
elegant little boudoir for the lady employees
which Mr.. Perkins has had fitted up on
the second floor. At the beginning of the
new term the medical room presented a
very barren appearance, it being devoid of
either carpet or furniture. 1t has. how
ever, undergone complete change, the re-
suit being that the medical department is
now one of the most comfortable places in
the library. A number of large cases have
been constructed for the proper preserva-
ton of all important newspapers. The
| Leading papers of the country and one from
each California county have all been SUBJ
scribed for and will hereafter be kept on
| file.
The best improvement in the library,
however, is the new map case, which is an
original and ingenious device of Deputy w.
s. Leake. The maps were formerly sus-
pended from places that rendered them
practically unavailable.
Eight bookcases will be placed in the
garnet for the purpose of preserving Con-
gressional documents and other works not
| frequently called for. This will make
room on the second floor for some of the
books now on the first floor, and few of
| the cases in the center of the alcoves can be
| dispensed with.
| A classification of the library will soon
| be commenced. SO that visitor may easily
| find any book he desires. Altogether, Mr..
| Perkins and his assistants are to be con-
graduated in the successful beginning OF
| their term of Office.