New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-30
OFFICE BUILDING LIBRARIES.
From The Chicago Times Herald.

The modern sky-scraper or office building
must have its own library for the special accom-
mediation of its distinctive class OF tenants ana
na,rons or il IL not considered up ia date in its
annointments II is not enough in these days
that a professional or business man shall be- able
I'm oar drink smone sleep. wake up ana take a
hath get a shoe polish. a shave. "A hair cut or 4
shampoo. buy his papers and magazines. ms
hats. shirts shoes. neckties and DRUGGISTS sun
dries all under the one roof where ne slts IN ms
Office and deals out large CHUNKS Oh Wsuo'h ~
his clients at so much chunk
No building that is pa!roniZed largely by any
particular class of professional men Is cohsld
cred to be strictly in IT. unless library II
maintained ostensibly. at least at the expense
Of the landlord But 1t isn't the landlord mat
pays for this luxury in the long run; IL is a com
rnercial transaction on his part, ana ne VIII zen
Won so if you get him in a corner ana add. with
a wink that ii is a good stroke OF business sa-
gacity-that it fills his building with desirable
tenants and il pays. The tenants themselves
are not blind TO the real facts in the case. I'VE
are having for the library they VIII tell you,
and we don't kick: 1t is great convenience,
but our rent is always little higher on account
of it,"
This new species Of sky-scraping garniture is
pcrhaps a little more extensively developed in
Chicago than in any other American city. II Is
a feature that has made its appearance WITHIN
the last two or three years; II seems likely 10
become quite general in this town WITHIN the
next decade.
Librarian HID of the public library. said a
few DAYS ago that he had learned Of remark
able growth OF these special libraries in thc big
buildings about TOWN.. IN some ol lll' ''t-
vators one will notice little framed signs an
nouncing to the passenger that the library Of
the building may be found on a certain fio0r.
This Is the case in the Ashland Block. where
a very pretentious and valuable law library IS
maintained entirely at the expense OF the com
pany owning the building And it is not a
trifing expense at that. John Stillwell. the
librarian in charge. is authority for the state
ment that the expense is between SleoO and
81 900 q year In the first place. the space occu-
MED Ia sufficient for several Suilcs OF Offices ana
is worth good money: then there is the salary
OF the librarian, the capital .1vcsted in calf
hound tones of the law. the constant buvine Of
new books and the reminding Of cd ones that
are out of repair. The library is on the eighth
floor Immediately above the floor occupied 10y
The AppeIlate Court and Mr.. Stillwen says il
contains nearly five thousand volumes. The col
lection includes "A good line OF text books. reports
and statutes Of all the different States. Federal
Court reports from 1880 down to date. and many
volumes of English reports.
Nearly five hundred lawyers have offices in
tho Ashland Block This library. under the
came roof is Of course one Of the great induce
,nonts thai draws them into the building as ten
ants In the busy season when ali the courts
are running full blast and clients are numerous,
Gentlemen Of legal talent TO the number Of one
hundred and fifty to two hundred VIII daily con
enlt works on Jurisprudence in this place. II
sa,,ss them the time and trouble of a trip to
,ha lou institute in the County Building Ten
o,,e from other buildings are not welcome how
aver and they are usually given a polite invi-
ion To step out when they are 50 audacious
ne 70 attempt to use the books