New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-14

az by So feet. This will have an entrance from
Montgomery-st. Adjoining this VIII be news
paper-file ROOM 10 by 81 feet Next to this Will
be a bndery-room, 20 by q feet Beyond these
will be the score-rooms. while on the Mercer
st side there will be a wagon entrance ana
receiving groom.
The second floor, which will really be the
main floor will be equipped with periodical
reading-room AZ by 80 feet. at the Montgomery
81. side overlooking Van Worst Park. Next 10
this will be a womans reading-room, lS by ~
feet Adjoining this will be the librarians pub
lie room IA by IS feet. while next TO 1t will be
the librarians private office. IS by q feet Next
10 this will be a delivery-room, 26 by 90 feet,
the public catalogue-room and the general
working room, the two together occupying 1900
square feet.
On the third floor will be a reference-room,
27 by AZ feet which will be on the Mercer-st.
side, and four study-rooms. the trustees room,
IS by 81 feet; an assistant librarians room, IA
by IS feet: a room for encyclopedias and die
tionaries 10 by 10 feet; workroom for per-
sons who wish to make notes and reference
room 81 by AZ feet. This will connect with a
reading room, Is by AZ feet. ON the Montgomery
st. side. Adjoining this will be a study-room.
by 10 feet.
The fourth floor will include an art gallery,
AZ by IS feet on the Montgomery-st. side. while
on the Mercer-st side will be a picture-room.
43 by SO feet Between them will be four ante
rooms.
The roof will be Of glass, so that there will be
an abundance Of light on this floor. while all
the lower floors will be lighted by large windows
three sides Of the building.
The bookracks will be IN the centre extension
before alluded TO. There will also be shelves on
all sides Of the rooms on the four floors. the en-
tire storage capacity Of this extension being 100,
600 volumes. Particular attention will be given
10 the pupils Of the high and public schools. who
will have every facility in the way Of access to
books OF reference and IT. making notes.
HISTORY OF THE LIBRARY.
The Free Public Library was first opened in
the summer Of 1891 Its nucleus was the library
established by the High School and what was
known the City Library These had between
them about 1000 volumes and 10000 additional
volumes were at once contributed. The first
trustees were Charles S. Haskell. Nelson j. II.
Edge John j. Voorhees,, DR.. Leonard j. Gordon
and Stephen L. Harvey. with Mayor Orestes
Cleveland and School Superintendent Addison
Il. Poland trustees ex-of1cio, DR.. Gordon was
elected president. and has held that place ever
stree. being annually reelected
George w. Cole thu first librarian. He
held the Office for four years, when ill-health
compelled him 10 resign. He was succeeded by
Miss Esther E. Burdick, who still holds the
office
The library now contains 65. 900 volumes. The
daily average of books taken out for home read
ing is l. 200. There are fifteen stations In the
city where books may be received and returned.
A delivery wagon visits each station twice a
day. that there is little delay in transmits
sion. The refereace-room is much freQuented,
there being 1000 volumes at the command OF
visitors.
In the public reading-room may be found
about 1000 periodicals. The reading room is
open from 8 a. m. to 10 p. m. and the circula-
ton department from q. m. to $50 p. m. On
Saturday nights and all evenings preceding holi-
days the time Is extended to 10
Special attention is given to the needs of pub
iic-school teachers and pupils Besides the ia
cilities placed at their command when they
visit the library, there is system of what ID
called "schoolroom libraries" sets OF fifty vol
umes being sent TO each school monthly. These
the teachers use and distribute among the pupils
when the latter desire IT, Between eight and
nine thousand volumes set apart for this
purpose that there are both abundance ant
variety
The library's present staff is: Librarian. Mis-
Esther E. Burdick: assistant librarian Z. w
Miller; catalogue clerk. Miss Dora s. Schwindt
Under them In the various departments, ar,
thirty employees.