The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-10-28
THE BUILDING DESCRIBED
It is the Handsomest Library Build
ing in North Carolina
A MAGNIFICENT FREE GIFT TO RALEIGH
The Library Reading Room and Music Hall
Fully Described. Miss Jennie Coffin Has
Been Appointed Librarian. Hours
Will be 10 m. to 10 o. m.

Will be lOa m. to 10 p. m.
or soon thereafter, there will be opened
to the citizens of Raleigh one Of
the greatest institutions that any city
| can have-a complete and free
public library. Ever since it be-
came known here that Mr.. Richard
b. Raney had determined to build and
present to the city public library as a
tribute to the memory of his wife, Rail
eigh people have been watching with
keen interest the erection of the hand
some building at the southwest corner Of
Hillsboro and Salisbury streets. The i'm
posing structure is now completed, and
as an architectural triumph is a build
ing that the city may well be proud of.
1t is the handsomest library building in
the State, and the most complete and
modern one in the South.
The lot selected for the building is the
best for the purpose in the whole city
1t is directly west of the Capitol grounds,
easily accessible by the street car lines,
or on foot, at the entrance to Hillsboro,
one of Raleighs most beautiful streets.
The building, now completed as far as
the contractors work is concerned, is
45 by 81 feet and is three stories
high, exclusive of the basement There
are windows on all sides, furnishing
unexcelled lighting facilities so necessary
in a library building. The walls are of
cream colored pressed brick The roof
is of red tiles of the Conosera pattern.
a style much used in tropical countries,
as it is indestructible and water tight,
and greatly moderates the heat of the
rooms in summer. The trimmings of the
walls are ornamental brick, terra Gotta,
and brownstone. The entrance to the
library is of the Corinthian Doric order,
executed in brownstone. Altogether the
structure is one whose architectural
beauty and appropriate style will never
fail to attract attention and evoke ad
miration.
The library hall and reading room oc-
cupy the second floor. The main room is
sixty-two by forty-two feet, and is a
lovely interior handsomely decorated on
walls and ceiling. The books will be
placed in metal stacks against the wall,
and will be open to the public. Already
several thousand of these books have ar
rived, but have not been classified and
placed in position. Mr.. Raney is furnish
ing about five thousand of these first
books which represent all creeds and
schools Of thought. The card catalogues
will be used and the Dewey decimal sysS
tenn of classification On this floor, be-
sides the library and reading room, there
are a smoking room for gentlemen. a re-
ception room for ladies, and the libra
rian's private office. The library will
be open every day except Sundays and
holidays, from 10 a. m. until 10 p. m.
Miss Jane Abbott, of Lincoln, Nebras-
ka, professional cataloguer of libraries,
has been engaged to superintend the
classification and shelving of the books.
and is expected to arrive here, direct
from that city, on November 1st
On the first floor is a handsome room
for the trustees, which will also be used
IS a general reception room. the resi-
dence of the librarian, consisting Of four
very handsome living rooms. and two
stores, the rent of which will be used by
the trustees to aid in defraying expenses
of the library. The trustees room is one
of the most beautiful in the building,
with ceiling decorations that arc truly
artistic This work was done by special
artist and is a crownng success.
The third floor contains the splendid
library music hail. the rent of which will
be another source of income. This hall
measures seventy-five by forty-two feet,
and has been furnished with opera chairs
for the accommodation Of three hundred
people. At the east end of this hall there
have been built a stage and commodious
dressing rooms. At the west end are
ticket office and a reception room for
gentlemen. The hall will be used fer
church entertainments, local charities
amateur theatricals, lectures. and all
kindred purposes The decoration of this
room is rich and tasteful the natural
yellow pine used throughout the build
ing's interior blending beautifully with
the coloring of the walls and ceiling.
This hall has already been used on one
occasion. The State Literary and His
tcrical Society was permanently organiz-
ed there on last Tuesday night, and
more appropriate occasion for the opening
of the hall could not have been selected.
II was noticed at that meeting that the
lighting and ventilating facilities were
perfect, and likewise the acoustic pro-
perties. a very vital feature. complete
electric and gas system of lighting is
used, and both steam and fire. places will
furnish heat.
Every one on Tuesday night was struck
with the magnificent reproduction Of the
famous Tai Mahal upon the curtain Of
the stage. This decoration seems peeu-
larly fitting in this memorial to be-
loved wife. picturing as il does that
grand m3usoleum erected by the Indian
Emperor Shah Jehan. upon the death of
his peerless wife. But that great mau-