The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1900-10-30
THE OLIVIA RANEY
PUBLIC LIBRARY
1t Will be Opened to the Peo-
pie January lst.
The BUILDING DESCRIBED
tits the Handsomest Library Build
ing in North Carolina.
THE BUILDING DESCRIBED
MAGNIFICENT FREE GIFT TO RALEIGH
The Library Reading Room and Music Hal
Fully Described. Miss Jennie Coffin Has
Been Appointed Librarian. Hours
Will be 1Oa m. to 10 o. m.

On the first of January, 1901.
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 a public library as a
tribute to the memory Of his wife, Raj
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 we'll 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.
It is directly west CT the Capitol grounds,
easily accessible by the street car lines,
or on foot, at the entrance to Hlllsbor0,
one of Raleigh's most beautiful streets.
The building, now completed as far as
the contractors work is concerned, is
~ by 81 feet, and is three stories
high, exclusive Of the basement. There
are windows on all sides, furnishing
uuexcelled 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 indestructiblC and water-tlght,
| and greatly moderates the heat of the
rooms in summe 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-
mirati0r.
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
rlaced in metal stacks against the wall.
ard will be open to the public. Already
several thousand of these books have ar
rived. but have not been classified ana
placed in position. Mr.. Raney is furnish
ing about five thousand Of these first
books which represent all creeds and
schools of bought. The card catalogue
will be used and the Dewey decimal sys-
tenn of classification. On this fOOr, pc
sides the library ana readlng room, lnele
are a smoking room for gentlemen, a re
cention room for ladies, and the libra
rian,s private office. The library VIII
he open every day, except Sundays ana
HOLIDAYS, from 10 a. m. until 10 p. m.
Miss Jane Abbott, of Lincoln, Nebras-
Ia a professional ~cataloguer of libraries,
has been engaged to superintend the
classification and shelving of the books.
and is expected to arrive here, dlrect
from that city, on November lst.
On the first floor is a handsome room
for the trustees. which Will also be used
as a general reception room, the resi-
dence of the librarian, consisting OF 1oul
very handsome living rooms, and tWo
stores. the rent of which will be used Dv
the trustees to aid in defraying expenses
Of the library. The trustees room IS one
of the most beautiful in the bulldlng'
with ceiling decorations that are truly
artistic. This work was done by a speclal
artist. and is a browning success.
The third floor contains the Splendld
library music hall. the rent OF when VIII
he another source of income. ms hall
measures seventy-fve by forty-tWo feet