The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1916-09-11
LIBRARY is OPEN

Ocala's new Carnegie library open
ed very informally this morning at 6
o'clock. All of the furnishings are
not yet installed, but it has been de-
cided best not to delay the opening
any longer. Even before entirely
furnished, the library is most COM
plete, and probably one of the most
complete in Florida. The latest card
index system has been adopted. Al
ready 1900 cards have been made,
and more have yet to be made. Miss
Louise Gamsby, an experienced librar-
ian, is to be in charge.
1t is probable that later, when all
of the furnishings are in, and the
basement rooms are ready for use,
there will be public ceremony of
some kind.
The library board has decided on
the following hours, subject to
change, during which the building is
to be open: 8 o'clock to 10 o'clock a.
M, and a o'clock to o'clock p. M, on
week days only.
The design of the building is a
combination of modified classical and
mission. A red tile roof and red
brick trimmings are used to break
the otherwise plain severity of the
stucco walls. The design was made
by Mr.. w. C. Meade, of the firm of
McIver & MacKay, of this city.
Mr.. Meade very kindly prepared
the following description at the re-
quest of the Star:
The size of the building is so x 24'
outside measurements, exclusive of
entrance. extensions, of which there
are two, one to the front (north) and
one to the end (west).
The west entrance is designed to
give almost direct access to the base
ment assembly room, without in any
way interfering with the library
proper.
The height of the stories is, base
ment approximately ten feet and main
room fourteen feet.
The elevation of basement above
grade line provides an abundance of
light and ventilation for the lower
rooms, making them as desirable for
the purposes for whic hthey are in
tended, as though located entirely
above grade.
The size and number of windows on
the rst floor also provide ample light
ing and ventilation for this floor.
The basement contains steam heat
ing plant, fuel room, mems and wom-
ems toilets, work room and assembly
room, all amply large for their sew
eral uses, besides two large closets
opening from the assembly room. The
entire basement floor is concrete,
treated with a special hardener un-
derlaid with a filtering bed of cinders
which is in turn underdrained with
tile, leading several feet outside of
the walls of the building, thereby in
suring against dampness, as much as
it is possible to do so.
The assembly room is provided with
a speakers platform, which being
portable, will allow of any desired
seating arrangement.
The main floor occupies the entire
size of the building, with stairway
directly to basement, and is provided
with two coat and hat alcoves direct
ly adjoining the front entrance.
This room is also supplied with a
large fireplace for use on damp or
chilly days, when the steam plant
would not be in operation
The shelving as provided approx
imates 4,200 lineal feet. This capa-
city may be added to by the use of
stacks at any future time.
The floor of this room is quarter
sawed oak. The entire building is
finished in cypress, stained to match
as near as is possible, the tint of the
furniture. The walls and'ceilings be-
ing in tans and ivory, harmonic with
the fumed nish of the furniture.
The lighting system is, in the main
indirect, with all necessary provisions
for side lights and floor openings fol
table reading lamps.