The morning call., 1893-08-15
BOOKS CALLED IN.
The Free Library Doors
Closed.
MOVING TO NEW QUARTERS.
The Sumptuous Fittings and Furni.
ture in the Various Departments
of the institution.

Librarian Cheney of tho Free Public
Library closed tho doors of that institu-
tion to the public yesterday. He issued
an order calling in all the books now out.
The reason is that the moving of the IL
hrary to the new quarters In the northeast
wing will be commenced in about two
weeks. Before moving is commenced the
librarian will take stock of all the books
on hand. and check them off. preparatory to
shelving them in the new quarters.
After an account is taken of the library
stock. W. G. Hughes. late Superintendent
of Construction of the new City Hall.
will begin the work of transferring the
thousands of books and pamphlets to the
new quarters. This work will occupy
about ten days, so it will be about the
middle of September before the library is
again thrown open to the public.
The order calling in all the outstanding
books created considerable feeling and
surprise among the borrowers yesterday.
Many EXPLANATIONS of chagrin and disap-
pointment were heard among those who
visited the library with the intention of
taking out volumes of favorite authors
that they desired. They had not heard of
the order and could not understand it,.
But all were obliged to depart without
taking any books away with them. After
surrendering the volumes they had al
ready taken out they were told Of the or
der and they went away empty handed.
The new quarters into which the Public
Library will move are situated in the
northeast wing on McAlllster street. This
portion of the new City Hall was originally
designed as a large town and assembly
hall where public gatherings could take
III
however, voted to set aside the hall for
the use of the Free Public Library. AS
the hall had already been practically con-
structed according to the plans considera-
Bile alterations and additions had to be
made. None of the inn rovements have
been so made but that in the event of an
independent building being constructed
for a library the northeast wing can be
again easily transformed into a public
hall.
The alterations for library purposes
have been going on for eight months and
are now completed. The trustees of the
library are delighted with the result. They
have reason to be so. for the new quarters
have very luxurious and sumptuous ap-
pearance. About $50. 900 was expended
on the improvements, and no money has
been sIared by the City Hall Commits
sionerS in providing everything OF the best
material.
The new library quarters are il one Of
the largest rooms on the coast. 1t is 40
feet from floor to ceiling and 60X60 feet,
in size. The furniture and fittings OF the
library are OF elegant material, being Of
prima vera. The splendid grill work
around the gallery. in gold and ivory, was
by a special design of Architect Shea, who
changed the original plans so thatth work
would conform 10 the rest of the library,
which is all of light material.
The bookcases containing the thousands
of volumes will all be on the main floor,
and the public will have no access TO this
part of the building, attendants furnish
ing the books required, according to the
improved system Of Rudolph's cataloguing
now in operation.
The public wishing to borrow books will
20 to catalogues In rooms on the second
floor. The entrance leading to the library
will not be from the interior of the City
Hall. The large dO,r leading to the north
east wing will not be opened to the public,
who will enter by narrow door opposite
the Hail OF Records. This entrance leads
up t" long flight OF stairs to the rooms
where borrowers can obtain books. There
will be no need of young patrons of the
library passing, as at present, through
corridors where the hangerS-on of criminal
courts spread communicating influence.
TO enter the library there will be no need
of going through the City Hall at all.
The new library. when opened, Will be
credit to the city and an agreeable sur
prise to all those who have not seen its
luxurious fittings. There will be all the
modern convenienres in the library. The
quarters for men and for women are sepa-
rate and the reading-rOom will be spleu-
didly equipped with all periodicals and
DauorS,