The herald., 1898-04-30
THE SMILEY LIBRARY
MUNIFICENT GIFT DECLARED
OPEN YESTERDAY
Interesting Exercises Celebrate the
Important Event for the Com
munity of Redlands &.

REDLANDS, April 29.-The Smiley Ii
brary was dedicated to Redlands this af-
ternoon, the exercises beginning at 2:3p
The exercises were opened with music,
Light Cavalry" overture (Suppe), by the
Redlands orchestra, followed by the in
vocation by Rev. DR.. John - Easter. The
first address was given by Rev. j. IL. Will
liams, 1.-THE Value and Importance of
Public Libraries" followed by an address
and presentation of deeds by Albert X.
Smiley.
Mayor William Fowler then gave a
short address, "Response and Acceptance
of the Gifts on Behalf of the City" A
musical selection was then rendered by the
Redlands orchestra, "Stars and Stripes
Forever" (Sousa). Following this came an
address by Kirk II. Field on the ethical
Value of the Gift" An address was then
delivered by John p. Fisk, jr., giving the
"History and Description of the Park and
Library" One of the most interesting ad-
dresses was then delivered by E. G. Jud
son on the History and Growth of Red
lands" Immediately following this was
another address by Frank p. Morrison,
Relation of the Library to Business In
terests." The program was then brought
to close by Prof. Lewis Il. Avery's adj
dress on "Relation of Public Libraries to
Education" and a selection by the Red
lands orchestra, American Airs" (Moses).
The history and description of the park
and library is as follows: First six acres
and then nine acres, then q number of
building lots, until sufficient for q park
was secured. Then streets and cutters
were put in, the grounds graded and laid
out, stone walls built then the erection of
the library building in the midst of the
park. Taking Mr.. Smiey's suggestions,
Architect r. r.. Griffith drew the plan for
the building. The construction has been
under Contractor d. NJ Donald immedi-
ate supervision.
The style of architecture is Moorish or
mission, as it is called in Southern Califor-
mia. The walls are of brick, upon stone
foundation, and with stone trimmings the
roof of heavy tiling. There Is a large base
ment walled with stone and cemented, ana
in it are two large furnaces for heating
the building. There are also six large fire
places in the building. The main building
forms the shape of cross 100 feet each
way, the best material being used through
out. The plastering is upon steel lath the
floors are double, the surface being of
solid oak and the interior finishings are in
quarter-round oak.
The rooms are admirably arranged for
light, ventilation and comfort. The clear
glass Is of polished plate and the stained
of light, artistic merit.
The lighting is done by electricity, there
being eighty-three electric lamps. Every
thing has been done in the most substan-
tial and artistic manner and the cost of
the grounds and building to the present
time has been about 100000 In the library
there are about 5000 volumes. The present
building will accommodate 10000 volumes,
and provision is made for doubling the ca
pacity of the building by adding to the east
wing. This building is one of the most val
liable gifts that has ever been donated TO
a city in this part of the state and will
serve for many year to come as a re-
minder to his survivors of the good and
noble deeds performed by the donor, A. X
Smiley.