Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-26
NEW LIBRARY PLANS
Commissioners Ready to Build
Branch at Takoma Park.
BIDS NOW TO BE ASKED FOR
Convenient Arrangement and Eco
n0mical Administration Consid-
cred by Architects.
BIDS NOW TO BE ASKED FOR

At recent meeting Of the library COM
mission in charge of the new branch Ii
brary building at Takoma Park, consisting
of the District Commissioners. c. j. Bell,
chairman of the committee on branch
Libraries, and G.. F. Bowerman, librarian
of the Public Library, the final plans and
specifications for the building were ap-
proved.
It was directed that the work be ad-
vertised and a contract awarded for the
construction Of the building.
Citizens Subscribed for Site.
The library building is to be situated
on the corner of 9Th and Cedar streets,
Takoma Park. The site was acquired
by residents of Takoma Park several
years ago by subscription. The land was
purchased from H. L. Thornton for
s., 800, and, it is stated, has considerably
increased in value since that time, be-
cause Of the many improvements in the
suburb.
permanent library committee. composed
of H. F. Taft. chairman; Rev: T. c:
Clarke. w. A. Colcord. Howard Fisk and
Angus Lamond, was appointed.
A small library had been in use at the
park prior to the presentation of the
bill in Congress authorizing the District
Commissioners to accept the donations
from Mr.. Carnegie for the erection of
the new building. This library contained
about 100 volumes.
Large District Is Accommodated.
The new library will be an accommoda-
ton to several thousand persons. Be-
sides Takoma Park, residents Of Park
View, Petworth. Saurs Addition, Bright
wood Park, Brightwood, Sligo and Forest
Glen may obtain their books from this
branch, instead of coming all the way
into the city to get them.
April Congress authorized the District
Commissioners to accept a donation Of not
less than $4,000 from MIR. Carnegie for
the erection of the branch library, from
plans subject to the approval of the Com
missioners and the Public Library trus-
tees, and to accept the conveyance OF
unincumbered land as a site for the Ii
brary. 1t was provided that the library
should not be opened for public use until
Congress should prOvsde for the neces-
sary expense Of maintaining 1t, and that
the appropriation for such expenses should
not exceed in any one year 1O per centum
Of the total cost of the building.
Mr.. Carnegie, however, donated $4,000
more than Congress had stipulated.
Description Of Interior.
Study, with reference TO a convenient
ARRANGEMENT and economical administra-
ton Of the library. was given to the prob
lem by the architects. Marsh & Peter
AS designed the building will have a
frontage Of fifty-eight feet and a depth
Of eighty-six feet. with the principal en-
trance from Cedar street and an addi-
tional entrance from 9TH street for access
to the lecture hall, the exterior of the
building being In colonial red bricks in
combination with white stone,
The main reading room, thtrty-dve by
fifty-five feet, will occupy the front of
the building. 1t is planned with q Ii
brarian's desk. receiving and distributing
counter. in the center From this point
the whole Of the library floor can be con-
trolled.
In the rear Of the main reading room
and separated by wide sliding doors Is a
children's room. thirty-one by thirty-five
will be removed as occasion requires to
convert the space into a lecture hall. At
the end of the lecture hall there Is a re-
cessed alcove with a fireplace and plat
form, and on each side Of the alcove there
are smaller reading rooms. with wide
window openings SO arranged that the
spaces can be made into outdoor loggias
when desired.
The basement will contain a librarian
rest room with a small kitchen adjacent.
and q workroom, bookroom and living
rooms for the janitor.
Attention was given to the lighting,
heating and ventilating systems. There
will be accommodating telephones
and other modern devices for the prompt
and convenient operation Of the library.
All the interior woodwork will be of
Quartered white oak, finished in a silver
gray shade. The specifications also call
| for the decoration Of the interior walls in
pleasing shades Of ivory white and soft