Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1892-10-20
TINE AUeusrA pUsuc usRAaY.


Esfitors ~ the Kenaelsc Joarsat
During the hall which nov appears 10 be
temporarily resting over the work of piedg-
ing subscriptions 70 the pubic library, I
would take occasion to cay that If the trus-
tees in all their actions. do needs sai
make plans which 80 completely COM
mend thern-eive. to the public AZ did the
recent purchase of the Moody lot 10 adj
to the library site, they will deserve to have
their aafaes placed upon bronze tablet ia
the resfiasuie Of CUR beautiful library bufhi
ing whenever il shall be erected. ~ those
u gentlemen under whose wise acton
the building was built. The lot Is an
ideal one for public hbfary--lzrse, bean
iisai, well located, giving abundant light 10
the building, insaring small risk from hrs'
allowing opportunity for besutifyin2 the
grounds, and IN every way contributing
10 the spirit of fessfui quiet
and aesthetic appointments shieh
should be embodied in bailaing for library
ases The beautiful proportions OF sorne
public library buildings in Maine are ex-
ceedin2iy married because OF their bein2
crowded upon small lots, or placed upon the
busy noisy streets where trade and commerce
hold sway. If one excerpts few locations
for public library buildings in Maine notably
those Of the Washburn Memorial Librar,
at Norianis, LiyerInore The Calais Pub
lie Library now building on the beautiful
Pike homestead az the southern limit Of
that city the Patten Library on the prettY
public park 10 Bath. and the Ceburn Ii
brary. overlooking from II high location III
the beautiful village of skowhegan the pic
turesqae kennebec at that piaee-there car
De ~ more slsfae'iFe spot iof hDfafa
oaiioihs thah 'iiat CHOSEN ny the trustees %
.ht Litngo~ hbfars iof us ne" paiihihz
this heautiiui eity
win the ouihllng Tor ihis hofaf.
founded through the beneheehce o.
an bon0red resident Oh our city "hos'
name II most appropriately oears-asni"a'
IN sight, the hope biay DE Expressed ina
tie trustees VIII NOT srect al ar~bItsets
building simply but mat they may con
sait practical Librarians VINO Know what
library should Dc IN us in,efio'
appointments, as well as arehiteen
VINO only look, 10 general al oatsht
effects. sun, library bn'l1in2 may pf
bnlit to De beautifni ~ us exterior "l'hou'
sacrificing any OF those Interior Arrange
ments anh adjustments OF plan whieI
modern library ADMINISTRATION mas founo
to be indispensable. Long before the state
OF Massachusetts had created It's hpfari
commission, Mr.. Justih Wihsofl "hiie y'7
librarian OF the bostoh fuolic Library am
when plans for new library bnii'iht
were beng discussed, since bnitt II
Copiey square ssif mat the bes
model for public library was That repre-
sented by the Boston and Albany raiiroaH
dspot--a building having front structure
for offices, rooms Tor special COLLECTIONS ane
reading rooms. with long, rear projection.
easily enlarged IA storage room Tor book'
demanded, by an addition In the rear ane
more book-staeks' where abundant and well
lighted stack room for books all upon one
hoor. could be obtained. No bug, high
library buildings with tall alcoves tor books
and constant going up and down stairs te
reach them; hut low, modest
handy structure sufficiently elaborate N
its frontage to please the most exactlng
architect, and sufficiently plain in lis reaI
TO save lots of money IN building WITH
which to purchase more books. IN cxainin
alton of the elevation of library hnildings
contained in the first report of the Mass
achusetts Library Commission. fls9i, ]
will show how correct were Mr.. Wiusora
IDEAS and to what an extent they have been
adopted in modern built library structures
The eld-time library structures built
for architectural effect but wholly
ill-adapted to the proper housing of large
collection of books, such as the Augusta
public library will have in n quarter of q
century, are represented by those OF the