Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-11

For years the building Of the Boston
Public Library was celebrated as the
most beautiful in America, and it may
be considered as one of the first monu-
ments to the modern library movement
in this country. It was opened to the
public in 1885, and combines most Of
tie features of modern library require
n.ents.
Alphabetically the building is
modelled largely after the Bibliotheque
Sainte Genevieve of Paris. It's decora-
tons are chiefly the work of well
known American artists. ''The Quest
of the Holy Grail by Abbey, and 1.-The
Triumph of Religion" by Sergeant
this last including the we'll known
frieze Of the prophets-have been wide
ly copied. Over the main stairway are
mural decorations by Puvis - Cha
vannes representing categorical CUB
jects. Among its special architecture
features are the grand staircase, the
interior court with stone benches and
fountain. and the reading room
known as Bates Hall, which has been
pronounced the most beautiful public
room in America. While the building
as first planned is not well adapted for
library purposes the Boston Public Lii
brary takes high rank among those of
the country 1t cost about 81, 500, 900.
and has over a million books. It's cir
culation last year amounted to 2.oo0.-
600 volumes, and it's annual eXpendi-
lures will soon reach 100000.
The new Public Library of Brooklyn
covers 100000 square feet of space. be-
Ing next in area to the Library of
Congress, which covers 100000 square
feet. the New York Public Library oc-
cupying only a little more than 10000
square feet. The Brooklyn Library is
almost triangular in shape. the shape
of the lot calling for special consld-
Before its plans were completed com
mittee of architects was sent abroad
in quest of new ideas in library archi-
lecture. The building is simple but
imposing in it's structure. The cost of
the building was 100000, and it's
total floor space is equivalent to six
acres. The book stacks are well ar
ranged, with ample provision for flu
900 books, and it's circulation last year
was 3,342,124 volumes. A large per-
centage of the readers of this library
are of foreign birth. and there is
demand for books in many languages.
X X
The Public Library of st. Louis is SIM
liar to that of Brooklyn in it's style Of
architecture, but
St. Louis Library it's beauty is en-
Cost 100000 m naneea 0 tsrr broad
The building cost s2,OOOOOO and houses
quarter of a million books, the circulation
Of which was 1925, III last year.
The Chicago Public Library, in Dear
born Park, near the lake front, is easy
of access because of the excellent means
of Transportation. The building is mod
ern and imposing in appearance. This
library was founded shortly after the
great fire by collections contributed chief
ly by Englishmen. The circulation last
year amounted to 1,611 $40 volumes The
Chicago Public Library makes a special
effort to advance its work in technology,
and has also large number of foreign
readers.
The Cleveland Public Library, which
was founded in 1854 merely as a help
to the teachers in the public schools, has
lately been moved into an exceptionally
well appointed building ON the lake front.
Although in point Of size the Cleveland
library Is below many others, its book
circulation last year reached a million
ana t hie az; and it has developed
ment, as well as other new features
of literary work.
The Philadelphia Free Library has, as
yet, no suitable building. 1t circulated
and overcrowded, i'll arranged building
near the center of the city. Philadelphia
has number of beautiful modern branch
library buildings, several of which have
been built by Mr.. Carnegie, but it Is
matter of regret to all those interested
in library development that the library
generally recognized as the parent OF
American libraries should still remain
In such poor accommodations.
These are only a few of the more
important city libraries of the country |
which are |
Tendency of Age supported by
Toward Consolidation. ne p'onc
their municipalities. In addition to them |
there are a large number of other libra
ries, the privileges of which are more
or less available to the public. but which |
are supported by private means. These |
include special libraries of arious kinds, |