New-York tribune., 1898-12-25
THE BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY.
EXTENSIVE ALTERATIONS RECENTLY MADE IN
ITS BUILDING

EXTENSIVE ALTERATIONS RECENTLY MADE IN
ITS BUILDING.
The necessity for careful planning and foresight
in the construction Of library buildings that they
may re not simply beautiful but also thoroughly
workable has been demonstrated afresh by the
experience Of the management OF the Boston PUB
lie Library Although the new building has been
occupied only about three years. yet IL has already
been found necessary 10 make extensive alterations
This is 10 be explained partly by the fact that when
the building was erected the library did not have
its present thoroughly efficient librarian. Herbert
Putnam. The building was erected under the direc-
tion Of the trustees who were not practical H.
brarians. They caused beautiful building 10 be
built but in efficient administration 1t has been
found deficient.
At the request Of Mr.. Putnam s1oocoo was appro-
priated 10 make certain changes. all Of which are
In the interest OF improved administration. The
work was begun last July, and will be completed.
according to THE Boston Transcript" within n
month. During the progress Of these changes the
business Of the library has not been suspended for
a day.
One Of the most important improvements has
been In the system Of heating and ventilation
which by means OF new fan and the substitution
OF steam for hot water coils. will hereafter prob
ably prove adequate. The other alterations have
been mainly for the purpose Of increasing the ca
departments and rearraneing for economy OF ad-
mlnistration Some Of the most important changes
and extensions The Transcript describes as fol-
lows:
'The childrens department is TO BE- augmented
by the addition Of the present patent-room adJa-
reference reading room, with a good reference IL
brary, including maps. photographs etc, useful 70
children in their school work In the gallery OF this
will be kindergarten library for teachers.
augmented from the present collection
The old system Of pneumatic tubes involving
hfty-sx stations in the building, has been oyer
ed The twenty-eight terminals in the delivery
room, formerly stretching in a line, have been
grouped in a circle for more speedy operation In
addition. auxiliary system OF improved tubes
1operating bv suction instead OF by pressure) has
livery room with each one OF the six stacks and
with the special Libraries floor but connects every
sent from stack 70 stack without being returned
70 the deivery-room. In addition, a piece Of APP
itself novel to library use. This is a pickup car
rer called. Its purpose is to transport the
various slips between four points in the delivery
room doing business with one another the issue
and return desks, the record trays and the pneu-
matte terminals, The carrier is little cable rail.
way operated by electricity Al fixed points. at
intervals upon the cable. are carriers which, as
they reach station. pick up batch OF slips wait
Ing their arrival carry them forward ana deposit POST
destination. The carrier Is not a box, but Is more
IN the nature OF hand. which clasps the batch
OF sllps by closing the thumb and forehnger. and
releases them automatically by the opening Of these
two .
brarian ands executive department. consisting Of
an snte-room. main office. private Office and a
room for records and files. In addition, the rooms
allotted to the work OF the twenty eight handlers
have been enlarged and rehtted with special ap-
paratus all the stacks have been connected by
stairs automatic litts tor the books ana TWO cleo cleo
put in: the orders department has been dou-
bled In size: the janitors offices have been rear
have been added and locker and luncheon rooms
have been made out Of storage space