The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1911-05-23
new YORK'S GREAT
PUBLIC LIBRA AIRY
DEDICATED TODAY
Taft, Dix, and Gaynor
il, Among Distinguished
Ia Participants:

NEW YORK, May 2S-Nearly nine
years after the cornerstone was laid by
Mayor Seth Low, the formal opening
ceremonies of the New York Public
Library were held at 2 o'clock this
afternoon, and tomorrow morning the
general public will be admitted for the
first time to the building. The cere-
monies this afternoon were in the
main lobby, fronting on Fifth avenue,
and admission was by special invita-
ton only, as the seating capacity of the
President Taft, Mayor Gaynor, and
Governor Dix took part in the
ceremonies today. The opening prayer
was by Bishop Greer and the bene-
the prayer by Bishop Greer Thomas
Hastings, Of Carrere & Hastings, the
architects of the building, delivered
the keys to the care of the city. 1t was
intended to have this ceremony perform
ed by John Carrere, who was the prin-
cipal spirit in the designing of the build
ing, but he was run down by taxlcao
and died before he could see the compile
ton of his greatest work.
Slower Makes Response.
Park Commissioner Slower made the
speech in reply to Mr.. Hastings. and
the mayor followed with another re-
Eponse for the people of the city. John
Bigelow, who is now ninety-three years
old, president of the New York Public
Library, Aston. LenoX,. and T1lden foun,
dations, made a short speech, ana
made the historical address, telling
of the founding of the three branches
which are now combined under one roof
and the inception of the present build
ing Governor Dix followed Mr.. Rives
with a speech on behalf of the state,
1aS President,
Though only six hundred persons were
admitted to the opening ceremonies,
invitations have been issued TO some
fifteen hundred others 10 inspect the
building after the formal ceremonies or
opening The greatest care has been
taken In issuing these cards. and it is
announced that no cameras, canes or
umbrellas could be carried into the
building.
The Enormous Cost.
The new library, which has been nine
years under construction has already
cost 100000, and it is estimated that
100000 will be spent on it before it is
finished. while the land on which 1t
stands is valued at 100000. 1t is 4
merging of the Aston Library, which
was incorporated in 1919; the Lenox Ii
brary, incorporated in 1870, and the TIL
den Trust, incorporated in 49,. The to-
tai endowment of the three foundations
is s.. AS, 500, and the new Institution will
start with 373, 900 books on its shelves.
In the next twenty-five years 1t Is ex-
pected that 1900, 900 moro books will be
added. while provision has Leen made to
increase the present card index of
5000, 900 cards to 100000 cards.
. The new library is the largest single
building in the world devoted TO library
purposes. II has floor SPACE of $4,000
square feet, as against $4,000 square
Z feet in the Library of Congress, IN
Washington. The architecture is a
blend of the Italian and French renais-
sance, and it is said by the critics TO ex-
coed any other building of its nature
in the world for combined beauty and
utility 1t has facilities never before
attempted, and as a masterpiece of con-
venience is believed to be without equal.
There is a reading room for the blind,
a room for the children, with diminutive
chairs and tables, and there are eight
private rooms for the use Of scholars