The Detroit times., 1916-11-13
Bids for Completion of
Structure Will Be
Asked Dec. |
TOTAL COST WILL
REACH 81 ,425,0 900
Steel Frame w oul d
Cost 100000 More If
Built Today

Now that the bend issue ofs750 o0t
foI the completion OF the new publ,
library hes been authorized Dy The
voters. It was definitely announced
by Adam strohm. librarian, satur.
day, that bids for the remainder oi
the work would be asked for about
Dec. /. an1 that the actual work OF
construction would be resumed
Arril l. The builders will be given
two years In which 10 complete the
work and II is expected that library
headquarters will be moved 20 the
new structure on April l, 1919
When completed the new build
ing will have cost s1.425.000 and
will be the finest OF its kind in the
middle west. so far as structure "a
concerned. and one OF the fnest on
the continent as regards contents
Incidentally. according TO Mr.
Stream. the steel skeleton that
stands on the site az present, and
which has been so frequently crit
jcixed, has saved 10 the library COM
mission fully 100000.
"That irritating skeleton, said
Mr. Strohm, has become a bless
irg. since II has saved us 5000
ard that Is great deal in the pres
snt condition OF the commissions
finances. According 10 the investi-
.nnSion OF Cass Gilbert, architect.
tfr steel contracts alone would cost
1o1.Tss more II awarded now instead
Of IS months ago and that, with the
increased cost OF labor. would bring
tho total up 10 n least 800. 600"
In the new building there will be
many innovations chiefly IA the
ratter OF decorations. Every room
VIII be decorated differently than
Grery other room and the work will
BE- done by clever artists OF interna.
tionai reputation. There will be
many art objects 10 add 10 the at
tysctiveness OF the library. which Is
net possible now in the old build
tAs.
II has heen decided. n The lease
en- be extended or renewed. 10 con
tihue the presn. main library as
lfwn-town- branch, mainland espe-
Gt&ily as 4 reference library for bus
mess men. but II is not now known
Whether tie lease on the land. which
expires in 1922. can be renewed
Mr.. Strchm says Il Is planned 20
make the new library Ike the new
Now York library in many respects
That was a consolidation OF the old
ntor and Lenox Libraries with the
city iIbrary. and has priceless refer
cree works and manuscripts tnal
were owned by the two estates that
tojned with the city.
III Is probable that not west OF
New York Is there a more valuable
collection OF original historical man.
usoripts and maps than that con
tanned In the Burton Historical II.
bfary. which will have adequate
quArters on the third floor of the
nav building This collection is nv
housed in the old Burton residence.
trt lack OF space makes II little
more than a mere storage house
without room TO classify and display
tho valuable documents
II is planned that when the col.
leetion Is taken 30 the new library
It will be edited and the maps and
Plates mounted and classified An
ether feature will be the publica
ton Of a historical magazine in con.
nsction with this branch of tho y.
bfAry.
The original manuscripts are on
the early history of the great lakes
region. including the Canadian az
well as 'he American side. There
arr more than 10000 separate man.
uscripts In the collection. including
. maps and diagrams
., Mr.. Strohm said that I, was proba
bln that between now and the time
ths bids are advertised for he would
60 10 New York 10 study details OF
tifr library there with the hope of
xrstinr some additional ideas that
might be employed in the new buiA
fng here.