The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-08-29
Most Beautiful Apartments In
State House.
CAPACITY is DOUBLED.
New Shelves Will Hold 16O, 900
Volumes.
State officers Inspect the New
Offices.

| ry rooms; to turn the work over to the
executive council; receive payment for
| their services and get out of the way to
permit the removal of the library-the
ambition of Mrs Annie l. Diggs-frorn
its present cramped and gloomy quarters
to the handsome new rooms prepared for
it.
While the actual work of removal is
not expected to begin in moving the
books before the first of the week, yet
| the library rooms so long occupied on
the first floor of the capitol are now in
| disturbed state because of the prepara-
lions to go higher.
| The new library room is a beauty. It
| is more attractive than the Chicago Ii
| brary, the boast of that great city. The
absence of statuary does not detract
from the beauty of the state library of
Kansas, because the rooms, the book
stacks, the furnishings, everything in
1 fact, is of the finest quality and it has
| all been Hastily arranged.
| The new quarters for the Kansas state
| library will be one Of the notable places
| the rooms can form no adequate concep-
| ton of their beauty and attractiveness-
They must be seen to be appreciated.
| Mrs. Diggs, the librarian. hopes, after
| the books have been removed to the new
rooms and put in place, to have a recep-
ton to permit people who do not visit
| the library in quest of information to
| visit the new rooms for the sole purpose
of seeing them
Since being installed as librarian, Mrs.
| Diggs has worked industriously on two
propositions. The first and most inn
pOrtant was appropriations for the pur-
chase of new books; the second was for
| the completion of the library.
Il am an expansionist on the book
Journal reporter. when the legislature
meets I hope the idea OF expansion will
prevail in appropriations for new books
| for the library and then I hope the prin-
0iF1 of net.
| ture of our library
In the rooms now occupied by the val
liable $4,000 volumes of the state library
| the books are piled high on wooden
| shelves; stuck away in corners; heaped
| on tables; stacked on radiators and in
every available place imaginable. Then
too, the books are scattered through sew
eral rooms 1t requires the minds of
half a dozen people to keep track of the
volumes in the library and the librarian
and her assistants have much work to
do in caring for the scattered books
which will be obviated in the new rooms.
The executive council in planning for
the completion of the new library antici-
pated the expansion idea expressed by
Mrs Diggs and the capacity of the new
department is 100000 volumes, or double
its present size.
The new library is on the north side of
the north wing of the capitol occupying
nearly all of the floor in that part of the
building
Immediately within the main entrance
one stands in OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
court, surrounded by a brass railing
through which a center composed of i'm
mense brass sunfowers runs This is set
apart from the main portion of the Ii
brary and might be designated as a
lobby.
On either hand and in front of the Wis
itor rises the iron book stacks. These
stacks are in two floors. The first row of
stacks on the floor of the room are easily
within reach, even the topmost shelves.
The second floor is reached by iron
stairways, the steps of which are cover
ed with rubber.
The second floor over which people
walk through the aisles between the
book stacks are made of glass, an inch
thick, through which light passes but
through which one can not see.
At regular intervals there are pulleys.
over which a rope carrying book-lift
from the lower floor operates. In this
manner heavy books can be run up and
down without Inconvenience.
Adjusted to the outer edges of this
second tier of books stacks is a heavy
iron railing. Ratings are also found at
all points where one might take dan
gerous steps.
on the floors of the library Is being
laid cork carpet which is noiseless
when walked upon. 1t is a luxuriant
which matches with the wall and cell
ing coloring and frescoes. On the whole
the general effect is very pleasing and
the state officers who compose the exec
the work
The members of the executive council
permitted State Journal reporter to
accompany them on the final inspection
of the work before it was accepted for
the state The green cork carpet was a
subject OF particular comment
Yes assented the governor
Il understand said Mr.. GODDARD, that
Chicago's finest saloons use this sort of
carpet"
STANLEY knows that saloons use this
for hoorss' said Mr.. Cole, because he's
from Wichita where they do things up
in style"
sHumph," said Stanley.
At the ends of each book stack 'front.'
ing on the aisle through which is the
turns On the electric lights SUSPENDED 'f in
a row at the top of the stack. The light
circuit is independent The effect of this
system IS of the. best, because the lights
purpose for which they We're put up
Here's one that is completed said the
state architect, who was plotting the offi-
GERS and furnishing cigars in addition to
experimenting the completion of the work
Governor Stanley passed the men at
work and turned on the lights.
a moment, and said:
They won't turn off,
Turn it the other way" said Mr.. Cole.
Cling with the button.
Don't turn it backwards said Cole.
/ oh" said Stanley the lights went
the proper direction.
You've lived in Topeka long enough
to know how to work electric lights said
Cole.
Guess have" said Stanley, who i'm
mediately remarked:
This is a fine piece Of work The finest
library in all of the great west. 1t is
complete In every detail and is a credit
to the state.
Tell you what said the governor.
turning to the members of the party:
I'm give s. for a flaw in this job
Why" said the others, in a chorus of
surprise.
because these fellows have been slow