The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-08-22
Plans Completed For the New
State Library.
One Of HandsOmest Rooms In
State House.
MODERN EQUIPMENT.
Cases viii Be Metal Instead
of Wood.
Room to Be Provided For
$4,000 Volumes.

The new state library. plans for
which are now completed by John +.
Stanton, state architect, will be the
finest and most modern library room IN
the west.
The furniture and shelving will be
of metal, with heavy hammered glass
doors, for the galleries. The entire plan
is made with a view of economy IN
space. and to provide all the accommo-
datfons possible.
The previous administration, owing
to a lack of funds, put in a board floor
which was a mistake. To accomplish
the best results, at this time, 1t has
been deemed wire to replace the wood
floor in the center of the room with
marble thing. This makes a more ser
vfceable and desirable floor at the main
entrance.
This arrangement with the galleries.
which are provided, will give the IL
brary the appearance of an inner 70
tunda which will be much more az
f~active than the usual square walls
on the west side will be located the
quarters for the librarian me noI a.
ian will occupy the room Soulh u tIiS
main library room.
on the opposite side corridor will be
the receiving, storing and repairing
From the marble-fioored vestibule,
the left and right, through metal dou-
ble-action gates, are the entrances 70
the reading rooms for the attorneys dlu
public. The attorneys are on the west
side of the capitol building; the pub
lie on the east side.
While it has been said that the Popu-
list executive council completed the IL
brarv. they failed to provide facilities
for permanently lighting the ROOM
electrical fixtures were omitted ana no
provision for blinds for the WINDOWS
no registering desks and enclosure We're
provided and the coat room ana 4'N-
atory were omitted.
therefore, be supplied at this time TO
complete the equipment OF the room:
Stair cases to the galleries VIII pc
provided at the east and west ends or
the book stocks and intermediate DOCK
lifts viii be found at regular intervals;
making the delivery of books rapid ana
The capacity of the floor series of
book stocks will be 81 800 volumes. Tnls
with the addition Of the two galleries
will give a total accommodation 1or
ISL GOO books. The library now con-
tafns 5000 books and pamphlets
In addition to this the two storage
vaults on the east will be used for pro
lection of the more valuable properties
belonging to the library Prominent
among this list are the medical charts
which are part OF the StofIhohl
library donated to the state by the
late DR.. Stormont of Topeka.
The marble vestibule will be enclosed
by polished and ornamental brass rail-
ings between the columns forming the
lines of the VeSubuie. This viii COM
pletely shut off the stores of books
from the public. That is, a patron OF
the library must pass through the
metal gates to secure an audience with
the person in charge of the department
from which he desires to procure
book to examine. This furnishes
splendid view of the library, and Wis
itors may see the room and its furni-
ture without disturbing those who may
be engaged in researches among the
books.
The executive council will open bids
for the completion of the library in ac-
cOrdance with these plans September
u. The work is to be completed in
at least the work will be done in time
new quarters by January l.
AS the library is not of a circulating
character and is only for reference,
special attention has been given to the
space for reading and investigating
books.
At the window alcoves, small tables
will be placed, affOrding ample accom-
mediation for those who patronize the
library.
1t was the purpose OF the Populist ex-
ecutiVe council to place the old wooden
book cases in this new library, but
Mrs Annie L. Digs, the librarian,
won the day for metal cases.