Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1916-10-12
PLANS ACCEPTED
FOR BISMARCK s
PUBLIC LIBRARY
Frederick w. Keith, Local Archi-
tect, Awarded Contract for
Fine Building
STRUCTURE OF HANDSOME
COLONIAL TYPE PLANNED
Design Will be Unique and Dis
tinctive Construction to Be-
gin in Spring

Plans for public library of attrac-
tive colonial design, unique and dis
tinctive in architecture Of this type.
have been accepted by the Public Ii
brary commission for Bismarck's s
$4,000 Carnegie library, work upon
which is expected to begin early in
the spring. Frederick W. Keith OF
the Webb block is the successful ar
chitect, and his plans have met with
approval from prominent library
authorities at the University and else
where, as we'll as the favor of the To-
cal commission.
Description of Building.
OF pure colonial type, appropriately
preserving the early traditions In
American architecture, the building
which will grace the corner of Thayel
and Sixth streets will present CON-
manding front elevation, with high
pitched roof, massive chimneys at
either end, and entrance and windows
carrying out the colonial scheme. The
building will be faced with red brick,
trimmed with gray Bedford stone.
The main floor will be elevated about
six feet above the lot level, and will
be approached by broad fight Of
steps. The basement will be we'll
lighted on all sides, giving the ad-
vantage of two floors almost equally
desirable in all respects.
The interior.
The main doors open upon a hall
way, with stairs descending to the
basement on the right and cloak
room on the left. This in turn gives
way into central delivery rooms.
with librarians desk commanding an
unobscured view of large reading
room, 20 by 20 feet, on the left. and
a childrens room of equal size. on
the right. The desk is flanked on the
left by a reference room, l3 by 18,
and on the left by the librarians OF.
flee, IL by 13. At the rear are the
book stacks, which may be extended
at the back without interfering with
the remainder of the building. The
walls will be finished in plaster, in
light tints, and there will be white
woodwork, carrying out the colonial
idea. The floors will be Of hardwood,
with cork carpets where necessary
HeaI community CenteT.
With a view to making the library
a real community center, one.half the
basement is devoted to lecture
room, 20 by 43 feet, with an elevated
rostrum and seats for 21O, from which
there opens kitchenette which may
be used in serving refreshments. A
large central hall occupies the center
of the basement, and to the right Of
this are a study room, IA by Is, for
the use of students, the library staff s
work room, a fuel room and boiler
room, 1876 by II.
Conforms With Requirements.
The plans conform with the require.
ments of the Carnegie Library bureau
and at the same time get away from
the stereotyped classical design
which in a building of this size is in.
clined to give "sQuatty" appearance.
There are to be two entrances to the
lecture room, one on Sixth street in
addition to the general entrance, eth
er of which may be used without in.
reference with the library proper.
The library building will face north
on Thayer street and will be sur
rounded by a small grass plot.
To Include Everything.
Architect Keith's estimates are de-
signed to deliver the building, com.
pletely equipped and with all furni-
ture, at not to exceed the amount ap.
propriated by the Carnegie Library
commission, i. e., $25,OOO.
To Begin Work in Spring.
Owing TO the lateness of the season
and the further fact that local con.
tractors have so much work that they
cannot be induced to even glance at
a set of plans, work on the new Ii
brary is not expected to begin until
early spring.