Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-08
ARCHITECTURE At LIBRARY
Books to Be Had There Explaining
All Phases Of House Building.
HOME IN RELATION TO OUTDOORS
s~urroundinG Features Count for
Much, and All t. Explained In
Omaha Library Books on
the Subject.

While It does not seem to be generally
known. the Omaha public library can. at
a moments notice. furnish the most valua-
bic kind Of information that has been
printed touching any live subject. Just at
this time books concerning architecture
and buildings are In demand. and the
Omaha library has enough literature con-
corning the subject to satisfy any ordi-
nary seeker after technical and definite
knowledge on that line.
Books on model houses. on simple homes,
on modern suburban homes. on typical
town houses. on log cabins and bungalows,
on cottages and mansions, all can be had
for the asking. Then there are disserta-
tons on tent and cabin. on remodeling, on
coy homes for little money. on houses for
1900 to 5000, on the right kind Of build
ing for a small square lot, on plans for
year-round homes IN odd places and out
| of the way corners. The seeker can learn
what a window will do for a home; almost
as much as a window in Thrums did for
literature. Tips are here pn how to make
a front door right instead of wrong. on
s~tairways that will be blessing instead of
very disagreeable features; pointers on
kitchens. pantries. bath rooms, the living
room that will he a JOY. bed room and
boudoir. inviting understanding is over
looked that the practical or the esthetic
mind may fancy.
No "Meat-Axe" Architecture.
Here are Intelligent warnings against
meat-axe architecture, correctives for
brutal abuse Of building opportunities. The
home in relation to outdoors and surround
ing features on other folks lots is treated
with simple eloquence of expression, and
a direct argument that will be hard to
find fault with. There is a wealth of pic
torlal Information, treating the best exist
ing structures and the mpnstrous mistakes
OF vanished generations; what to encour-
age and what to avoid.
AS Miss Tobitt, the librarian. says; w
can help very materially in these vital mat
ters II the InquiIing public will but give as
the chance
Estimates OF cost. based on the most
favorable conditions or otherwise, are
readily available in the Omaha reference
room, ard these estimates touch everything
from plsinest bungalow or cottage to great
mansions for town property or country
estate. h a well planned facade will
do for a high narrow building may be
learned. and the difference between hop,
6NNf -A1 a1AAAE Hh1AA7 'AA " CaA Nt
signs is made strikingly plain by skilled,
experienced men writing with their hearts
in the work.
Original Ideas TO BE Had.
Even the man with most original ideas as
TO what he wants in a new home can find
in the Omaha library books full Of sug-
gestions that will appeal to him as emil
nently practical and sensible. Chapters
on dWallfnRg ms faIafad IN the narannaIfty
Of the owners will be found very interest
ing to the discriminating mind. Take the
matter Of exterior decoration by means OF
plants. vines and the like. Brief examina-
ton of some volumes will convince the
hunter for knowledge that perhaps he has
overlooked many and many a good idea
that would have enriched his home spot
II he had but made it his business to 30 to
the library.
In the minor details Of building. closets
stairway windows laundries, the correct
place for the bed room window. hall seats
about anything you can think OF, some
expert has thought of and worked out in
varying forms OF appealing suggestion
Proper and improper use Of shingles, brick
stone and glass is treated more or less ex.
haustively, TO the end that attractiyenes,
may not lose ground to hidepusness.
Heat, Light and Ventilation.
Fireplaoes that will be Joy bringers whiis
they endure are treated of in word anC
picture, also mantels. and how to get tn,
best light and ventilation. The reader ma,
view examples from almost every land
OF humble cottage or more pretentioui
structure; and so doing he will perforc,
gain some part Of an education toward
development Of mind that will result in /
real home when his money has been paic
3 out. Characteristic specimens OF the bes
! to be found in old lands are numerous II
. these exceedingly useful books.
There Is art In the building OF a home
: and this art intimately relates to size ant
shape of lot, surroundings and outlook, a
we'll as to a CHEEKY. convenient, comforta
BILE interior. Utility goes hand in han,
with simplicity, II that be what you seek
ornateness with correct. a~rraneenAent /
your purse be lons and your ideal higl
flung.
To quote Miss Tobitt again: III our peo
pie only would keep themselves posted o,
our resources for helpfulness. this Iibrar,
could vastly increase its daily usefulness
There is nothing OF living interest on whicl
we have not some literature. and general,
a fairly complete selection. Too man,
have the idea that we keep only fietio,
on our shlves. preposterous as that ma,
seem. Besides technical NO. ks on arcbi
lecture. decoration and similar subjects
we have current magazines OF the Yer,
highest class that are always at the com
mand OF the public"
A ROMANCE AMONG PAINTINGS