Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-06-19
WIDENER LIBRARY
BECOMES HARVARD'S
Memorial Gift From Philadelphia
Woman Makes Commencement
Notable-Beauties and Marvels Of
a Temple of Learning.

COMMENCEMENT at Harvard this year 10
~ of moro than usual interest to Phlladel-
phans by reason OF the presentation OF the
widener Library TO the University on that
occasion The event will be an important
one not only In the history Of Harvard, but
in the history OF educational Institutions In
general and Of libraries as well. The build-
ing is already a reality and will be ready for
actual use by the beginning Of regular col
lege term which opens in September.
The mighty widener Memorial Library,
| built in fulnlment OF the Wish Of Harry
Elkins wldener, by his mother, Eleanor
Elklns widener, of Philadelphia, will be, as
Nelson C. Metcalf says in the Boston Eve
ming Transcript, model laboratory Of learn
Ing. and tho first of all university libraries.
Harry widener lost his life when the Titanic
foundered in April, 1912, but some time before
! that he had been planning how he might
begin a fund, which should eventually result
In an adequate library for Harvard. The
frultlon Of his wish is shown in the impress
sve structure now completed at the southern
side Of the new" yard and Harvard at once
takes the first place. probably in the world,
in It's facilities for university research work.
The new. library is as servlceabe as It is
beautiful and as enduring as 1t is capacous.
The Heart of Harvard
Mrs. Wldener. who has frequently visited
Cambridge to supervise the work, since
construction began, said recently IT hope
that It will become the heart of the univer-
slty, the centre for all the interests that
make Harvard great university" and there
is little doubt that her hope will be realized.
Aside from the beauty and facilities of it's
interior, the library building is notable.
1t is truly mighty acknowledgements in
its size and strength and appearance of solid
ity and endurance. 1t has no narrow Gothic
windows. They are immensely long and
square-headed. It's arches are the sturdy
Romanesque. The building has the look Of
one who persists and survives. In spite Of It's
bulk, its exterior Of Harvard brick and lime
stone are in harmony with the Colonial types
in the yard, and with the house of President
Lowell. The imposing main entrance to the
library is at the north side, and the view
from the library windows toward Appleton
Chapel, with the Memorial Hall tower in tho
distance. and the ample foliage in the fore
ground, which the new yard can still boast,
is unusually attractive.
The building Is a vast hollow square, 250 by
200 feet on the outside The inner courtyard,
10 by 100 feet, is divided on the longer axis by
lection with light courts at each side meas
uring about 10 by 2S feet. The principal
entrance is by some 80 granite steps, nearly
the width of the north SIDE and through a
series Of 12 lofty Corlnthan columns of lime
stone, which form an imposing portico Three
high doors of glass and wrought iron give ad-
mittance to the vestibule, finished in Rosatto
marble; and straight ahead through the mar
BILE colonnade of the entrance hall and up a
broad marble staircase are the Widener me-
mortal rooms-a feature of the building. The
entrance hail is 36 feet broad and so feet
long, and It's columns of statuary marble are
supplemented by corresponding pilasters.
The outer of the Widener memorial rooms
is entirely of Alabama marble with the ex-
cepton of the domed ceiling. This room will
house the rare Widener collection. Here
the bookcases have plate-glass shelves and
bronze sashes, and on the south wall, over
a high, marble-framed fireplace, is the por-
trait of Harry Widener. done by Ferrier of
Paris. This has the place OF honor in the
building. and, If the intervening doors are
open, is visible from the central entrance
through the long marble vista.