New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-10-28
LIBRARY IMPROVEMENTS.
THE ALTERATIONS IN THE BROOKLYN
INSTITUTE NEARLY COMPLETED.

INSTITUTE NEARLY COMPLETED.
A NEW AND wELrcARRANGED DELIVERY
RooM-THE INTERIOR OF THE BUILDING
MADE OVERTIME NEW QUARTERS
FOR TIE READING ROOM TO BE
READY SOON
Several weeks ago The Tribune printed an article
describing the changes in progress in the Brooklyn
Library. which virtually amounted to the remaking
and rearrangng OF the whole interior OF the building.
The work had been going for some time then.
and Z expected that 1t would he completed
early n September. September has come and gone
and q .ober Is. SO To speak. on its last legs ana
still the improvements are not quite finished The
end however. Is plainly In sight. and one I'M
pOrtant part OF the work Is fully completed.
This is tine transfer OF the book dclvery-room
to the first floor Of the library building together
with a large number OF books Of the classes most
called for by the large constituency OF the library
These have been placed in the part OF the building
where The reading-room formerly was. In the
centre is the delivery desk. This Is directly In
'front.' Of entering from the street on either side
the cabinets holding the card catalogue. IN
abundance OF light Is furnished for those consulting
the cards by electric lights placed just over the
cabncis In the open space in front Of the delivery
of those wishing 10 consult the printed catalogue
Or other guide, 20 the books they seeking.
The walls u the room finished In white. con-
serving much light possbls. and all the stacks
for hooks have been painted in light color
Some 5000 volumes have been placed on this floor.
and as they all within reach ~ the Moor
IT Is easy II that the work OF finding books
called Cor will be- greatly facilitated. Their are no
galleries. Yet l. not correct TO say that all the
books can be reached from the floor itself The
upper shelves nigh To be reached even
by tail man. and one Of the modern Improvements
In library furnitur. does away with little step
ladders for the purfose Of reaching high shelves.
a little iron step i attached to each upright sup
port in the stacks. ABOUT foot from the floor.
Above 1t al height Of nve or six feet T. 4 handle
which may be easily gnspel. BY Standing GA IN"
step and graspng the hasdle one is easily able TO
reach all the higher SHELVES To meet the demand
in the Brooklyn Library it Wa necessary pro-
vide so pairs Of these iron csachments
The electric lights far the acoves also neatly
arranged. Iy turning swi''h at The end u tn"
acove row OF lights is turgel on and all the
books brought clearly into view These lights
suspended from swinging brackets ami can be
easily moved.
The 5000 volumes brought within roach OF the
delivery desk cOnss: II 'iassos Of books In most
livcl" circulation These include In he nIst place.
az a matter Of course. fiction, then ONE history.
travels. biography ana music The Patent once
reports are also placed this noor. am room has
been provided for the growth OF his department.
the bulky volumes cOns In year after wear. The
whole appearance - this part Of the lbrary *
most attractive. ana those who -,si II frequently
FOR The procuring AMI eNchang ng Of books we'll
pleased that they Viii no longer have TO climb the
'siair~av leading to the second noor
one oi tho improvements which those who Irne-
trate reh'ni the barrier that divides the Above
from the world outside Via soon not" IL The con
Portable desk which has been provided Tor n.
librarian Wills Barlweli When his p1st o.
duty upstairs. his desk - badly situated
a respects Hight that n. COMPELLED t. 90 mos:
OF his work shelf u front u window. having
no seat bu; high stool Sow near the northeast
ern corne- OF the nrs' noor. In a wcll-lighied
place. he can .it comfortably n; a handsome ok
desk while al the tine he IS near the lelN-
advice ~ needed
- much for the first noor on ascending the
stairs II IL AT evident that important change
are going on d" ren'ng room r. - take IN" plac"
~ the former delivery room and l@ be-l"s. 20 run
regular Vlsi'or- T. m" r"l "ns-rp'm VIII Do" glaI
20 know that ~ fortnight or 40 'h" transfer -
Dc mad. Par, - ~, shelves along The walls
Of what will Doe thc no" r"adlng-room have been
ler In place ani vii boz used FOR the book. placed
In the oh rcadingroom lot the benefit - ihos" who
wish q rad books instead - paper and magazines
ana to choose them FOR Themselves The front part
Of the now rradIng-ro"m Will b" especially well
lighted Tn. llght entering the SIDE Windows -
Fatata Exchange hut this difficulty viii Doc
,.if less than u in tn" western side tho oil
reading room on the first moor The tables FOR
magazines. etc. will b. wen supplied with electric
lights
There ~ 70 b." ~ change in me reference depart
men, 4 the library. Arrangements are under way.
however. Tor he placing ~ some books that ar" Ia
much demand On shelves nearer The desks n
which they ~" used.
The general improvements In IN" buiiling CON
sst ~ az substitution ~ stool AMI iron for tho
wooden suppJr's whi"h We're fpunl - be no longer
substantial enough To- mold tn" great weight
placed them Moro rXtensiv" alterations 70
required fhan We're ~ first supposed go hc n"ccs-
sary. The library has been kept In operation
hespi. ais this work " h the exception Of 4 f,w
DAYS only Both attendants ana patrons have been
subjected to some Inconvenience" AMI everybody is
glad that IN" end ia - mar ~ hand
Librarian Iarlw"ll Expresses himself well plea sel
the result II" l. not entirely satisfied with the
rcmodclel building AZ II stands. however One
of The pressing needs. IN his opinion 20 elevator
to facilitate the carving OF hoohs from iloor 10
floor An electric elevator carving about 30
poinds woul1 meet his Iiot. n - regrcttablr that
this modem improvement" not introduced in
connection with tn" york nov near completion.
Perhaps som" wcll-to-do cnizen who IL interest . l
in tn library and DESTROYS II helping II 10 10 its
bes' work Will supulv This ueci A. an oar Iat