New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-09-28

court who died in this city on February -,
1897 at the age o. eleven years and seven
months The announcement of the gift came
several years after Colonel and Mrs. Wood had
removed from this city TO Brookline, Mass In
addition to the ground and building the donors
gave the sum of s., 900 Cor books The only con-
ditions imposed were that the citizens of Derby
subscribe an equal amount for books and that
the municipality set apart a fund for the
liIrary's maintenance. The conditions were full
filed within a few days. There was such a
flood of popular contributions that over S11,op
was subscribed for books more than double the
amount stipulated by Colonel Wood. The city
officials voted to set aside 5000 annually for
the support OF the library, and legislative sane
ton was given to the project.
The location of the new library could not be inn
proved. being a large triangular plot in the cen
tire OF the city 1t is contiguous to all the street
car lines and of easy from all parts of the
city. The dimensions of the building are % by
80 feet. Its construction is of Ansonia granite
and Portland cement, with concrete foundations.
and fine basement entirely above the street
line except on one side. The basement will
serve as a special library, class room and ship
ping room, and will be a most useful adjunct
The library is n fine example of Colonial archi-
lecture and is ornament to the locality. The
are stained a soft tint. in harmony with the roof
and surroundings The approach by the main
entrance with four steps of granite and a
wooden portico supported by ten huted columns
10l2 feet high, surmounted with carved CAPT
tails, presents a striking eject. The vestibule,
by 5 feet. has tiled floor and panelled cell
ing. on the right stairway leads to the lect-
urc room on the second floor. The lobby. Is by
20 feet. is separated from the vestibule by
swinging doors. on the left is the general
library. 20 by 81 feet, with book shelves two
f its sides. The sunlight floods this room, and a
large and beautifully decorated fireplace height
ems the sense of comfort which one feels on enter
ing Beyond is a reference library and study 16
10y 20 feet, equipped with every convenience. on
the right at the entrance is the chiIdren's
library, - by % feet. and beyond that is the
librarians room, Q by II feet. on the second
floor. with the lecture room, three store
rooms The floors throughout the building are
of teak. The floors ana roof are supported by
iron columns and steel grders. The lighting of
the building is by electricity.
The library viii start off with nucleus of
twenty thousand volumes.
Colonel Wood resided in Derby for ten years
and gave the place the first electric railway
line III New England and the first daily steam
boat line to New York. He was conspicuous
for his philanthropy ana public spirit. Derby
rewarded him by sending him to the legislature
where he ably represented its interests.
Second only in local Importance to the opening
of the new library is the opening of the
public schooIhouse. This is the first public
school structure built in Derby since 1869. the
necessity for it having only recently existed
That need Of more school not felt
earlier however is no reflection the growth