El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-02-10

ACohunued from page I, Section p
library is in the basement It Is opep
every day from nine o'clock in the
morning until 10 at night. There are
over 10000 books in the circulating
department Of the main library besides
me branches connected with it Near
this is a newspaper room with paDers
printed IN several languages A spe-
cial income OF $4,000 annually is pro
Fldeo Tor the subscript tons OF the pa
pers in this room
Inc children's library also ed5oins
me circulating room- 1t is furnished IT.
Ola tlemlsn oak with low, broad win
COW seats inviting the little folks TO
cuQOle down Tor quiet hour. over 200
cnlldren can be comfortably gathered
In this room at one time, and each
week sees eager crowds Of little folks
listening to the story teller who is en-
ployed BY the library to familiarize
tAem with the best literature.
The Electric Book Lift.
On the second floor is a wonderful
electric book lift which IS the admi-
ration OF all who see it. This is in
the center Of the building. Around Il
are special studios on different sub
Jects, the privileges Of which are open
20 Students IN specific lines OF learn
ing Inere is an oriental department
containing rooms devoted TO Egyptian
Aslatic and Hebrew lore. This libra
~ includes one OF the best coIIec-
tons Of Semitic literature in the
world
On the second floor also is the
public document department This has
bronze steel fireproof stacks and con-
tatns many historic documents, per-
tanning 10 the early history Of the
state Near it IS the music room,
which includes a valuable collection
from the LenoX library and the DreXel
collection. Some priceless manuscripts
are numbered in these collections.
Stewart hall, on the third hall, fac
ing Fifth avenue, contains over 5000
volumes Of Shaksperiana, including
four copies Of the first folio. It con-
tains a book appraised as the most
costly in the world, the manuscript
gospel dictionary by Julio Claudio OF
the 18th century. This cost $1,000. In
Stewart hall also is a draft OF Wash
ington's farewell address. q letter from
Columbus, and many other rare histOr-
&c relics Stewart hall is one Of the
most magnificent library rooms in the
world. It IS supported by the rOtunda
vault OF the library. Its doOrWays are
Of jasper, its floors are Of oak and its
ceilings are of lustrOus bronze. Cal
leries extend around this room TO
which access is gained by stairways Of
trait room devoted to American sub
jects only
This library has been years IL the
building. In 1896 the trustees Of the
New York public library peduoned
the mayor for a new building and in
1898 the sum OF $1,000. 600 was secured
by special appropriation. Other sums
received for this library brought its
final cost up to $1,000, 600. making it
the costliest library building in the
world The amount Of time consumed
in its construction Is due to the care
which was taken In each department
the maximum results seem to be
reached. The ventilation IS after an
approved system, all the air being
famed through cheese cloth sifters.
after which Il is circulated through
the building by means of electric ven
tilator fans. While II is magnificent
It IS also disable: although ii pleases
the eye, II IS comfortable to the body
1t is a library built for the lovers OF
books.