The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-03-24
NEW LIBRARY
READY FOR use.
EAST SIDE BUILDING WILL BE
OPENED, MONDAY.
Work of Transferring the Books to
the New Library Is Now in Progress
New Structure is Both Elegant
and Commodious-Is Built in Corin-
THAN Style.

Moving day has arrived at the East
Side branch library and the books are
being transferred from the dingy
store building on University avenue
Sc to the elegant classical build
ing Of the Pillsbury public library
on University and First avenues
Sc. It is probable that library
service will begin in the new build
Ing on Monday. The formal opening
of the building and it's presentation
to- the board by the Pillsbury estate
will not take place until after the next
meeting Of the library board, April l..
The building is complete in every
detail, with the exception Of a little
work on the electric light fixtures.
The erection of the steel book racks
and the placing of the furniture is
going forward rapidly, and the books
are being arranged on the shelves. The
furnishings and equipment are of the
most modern and perfect kind, and
are in complete accord with the artis-
tic and scientifically planned build
ing. The large grounds have been put
in perfect order, the lawn carefully
sodded, and trees and shrubbery
planted. These will give the beautify-
ing touch Of color needed to bring out
fully the refined beauties of the White
marble Corinthian structure.
The large grounds are surrounded
by a low retaining wall of sandstone,
corresponding with that used in the
basement story. "A wide fight Of stone
steps leads UP to the main entrance on
University avenue and the approach to
the building is an important part. of
it's imposing and harmonious effect.
The style of the building being SO
ornate, the only special decoration of
the exterior is six child figures above
y, s1 a.; ~1,
by a handsome balustrade that gives
needed height to the low walls.
The Delivery Room.
Three heavy mahogany doors give
entrance to the large vestibule that
leads directly to the delivery room,
which is the hub Of the building. This
room is nearly square and is lighted
by skylight that is divided by great
beams. The delivery desk extends the
width Of the room, and behind it are
the book stacks. The librarians Of
flee adjoins the stack room. To the
left of the delivery desk, and sepa-
rated from the delivery room only by
row of columns, is the reading room
The small room in front Of this will
be used for the present for the chill
dren's room, and the reference book
room is to the rear of the reading
room The. room designed for the
children's room occupies the rear hall
of the wing, to the right Of the deliv.
cry room, and has a separate entrance
opening on First avenue. The from
room on this side is small hall tina
will seat about 100. Between the tive
are the stairs to the basement, where
there are a number of large rooms, al
plainly but substantially finished.
3oIo ~ REo1
The main floor. is finished in ma.
hogany, and all of. the. furnishings
even tor newspaper land magazine
racks, correspond. = The effect. is very
rich and substantial. In the delivery
room, and reading room the walls are
wainscoted. Above the wainscOt the
finish is in rough gray plaster, with {
wide frieze in white plaster. In all o:
| the larger rooms this wide frieze
has a series of lunettes that seem ar
invitation for frescoes, and the style
Of the whole interior would lend Itself
| admirably to a decorative scheme in
| volving series of frescoes. The cleo
! troliers are in oxidized brass and will
| provide a fine light. In the reading
| room each of the four large rounl
tables has stationary lamp; there i.
also a large central electrolier and side
lights.
| The principal ornamental feature o.
the reading room is a fireplace ant
mantel in mahogany and red marble
Over this is to hang a portrait of thu
donor of the building, John S. Pills
bury. The hall has prettily arranged
small platform with a little retiring
room at one side, and a door opening
on the hall leading to the basement
The hall Is seated with nlahogan.
bent; wood chairs. ".'-' =, >-2sr