The morning call., 1893-10-22
mahogany wood. and its light color and
beautiful finish pleasingly harmonic with
Iha Whit tpness of the walls and ceilings.

mahogany wood, and its light color and
beautiful finish peasingly harmon ize with
The whiteness of the walls and ceilings.
The grand stairway from McAllister
street leads up to corridor on the second
floor, from which the public pass into a
lobby. Immediately in front of the visitor
is the secretary's room. and, turning to the
right. two large folding-doors open into
the main library-room. "a feet square,
with gallery running around the upper
portion.
1t was plainly evident TO the visitors last
night that some different arrangement I
must be made relative to lighting the rooms.
With one or two exceptions, the lllumina-
ton was miserable, and around the outer
edges of the main library, directly under
the gallery, no provision has been made IN
this matter whatever. In the newspaper
and periodical rooms one found it difficult
to read coarse print when at any distance
from the sparsely scattered lights. How
ever, this is a matter which can and prob
ably will be rectified.
On entering the main lIbrary-room
broad Stairways are noticed at both the
right and left hand. leading up to the gal
lery. On each side of the door are the
patent indexes for the visitors references
in the selections of books. Panels about
three inches wide and foot long are
formed into an endless chain, which is re-
volved by means of crank. On each of
these panels are printed slips giving the
titles of books, their numbers and the
rack in which they are stored. Printed
slips in tablets are scattered about. and the
visitor, having found the volume wished
for on the index, writes the required de-
scriptiOn on one of these Slips and presents
it at the counter.
In the old quarters the books for circu-
lation were stored on three different floors.
while in the pew rooms they are all found
in the main library-room on the one floor.
Another noticeable improvement In the
new rooms is the arrangement made for
the accommodation of students, profess
sional men and other persons who may
have occasion to consult a mum ber of VOL
umes of reference. Heretofore it has been
Impossible to admit this class OF visitors to
the shelves, but now number of tables
have been placed around the main library
room 10 proximity to the shelves, and
where the visitor can seek desired infOT-
nation with all his works of reference at
his side.
In the newspaper-room an Indicator
readily affords the visitor information as
to the location of the file desired, and in
the periodical-room Poole's index is util-
lied for the same purpose.
On the main floor, besides the library,
are the secretary's, the newspaper and the
catalogue rooms, while on the floor above
committee and work rooms.
The space for reading parlors takes up
the four sides of the gallery. which is
about twenty feet wide, and Is provided
with long tables and comfortable chairs.
with an 0ilcloth covering for the floor.
One side of the gallery is reserved exclu-
sively for ladies.
That portion OF the main library room
entered by the public is divided off from
the bookcases by handsome counter, sur
mounted by neat brass lattice work
pierced at intervals by apertures for in
quirers. The bookcases are all covered on
top by peculiarly finished leather to
which all dust adheres and from which it
is easily cleaned.
The librarians room Is handsomely fur
nished. fitted with Brussels carpet, etc.,
as is the committee room adjoining.
Taken in all its departments the new
quarters of the public library are remarka-
bly, we'll adapted for the purposes to which
they will be devoted. and are a credit alike
to the city and to the gentlemen who de-
signed them.
Following are few statistics relative to
the library which may be found of inter-
est:
The total number of volumes in the IL
brary is $4,000.
In the main room there are 5000 shelves,
an increase of 1150 over the capacity of the
olu Quarters.
The periodical-room is fitted up with
240 shelves, containing 5000 periodicals for
reference.
Tho newspaper-room contains IS Sec
tlens of shelves, in which the flies are
kept. all fitted with rollers and containing
300 volumes of daily and weekly papers.
The patent-room has 125 shelves, on
which are placed $50 volumes relating to
patents, principally the publications Of the
United States Patent Office; also sets of
the weekly technical papers.
The seating capacity of the reading gal
lery is 300.
Statistics for tho past year show that
5000 volumes have been added; 243. 467 vol
nmes circulate for home use 147.957. for
library use $3.50; average daily delivery,
687; total number OF visitors. 224, ,418 (male
160, 1S9. female 64.229); membership cards
issued, $500.
Tho report OF the expert employed to
examine the bnoks Of the library shows
that nm to .Iuna 30 18q3 thara had haan