Henry Hobson Richardson and the small public library in America
Subtitle: a study in typology
By: Kenneth A. Breisch.
Publisher: MIT Press
Published: 1997
Place of publication: Cambridge, Mass
Language: eng
Number of pages: 354
Subjects: Richardson, H. H. 1838-1886; Library architecture -- United States -- History -- 19th century; Public libraries -- United States -- History -- 19th century; Small libraries -- United States -- History -- 19th century; Romanesque revival (Architecture) -- United States
Description: One natural outcome of the educational reform movement of the 1840s was the growth of the American public library. Though the first public libraries were housed in post offices and town halls, even in local drug stores, growing book collections soon forced cities and towns to recognize the need for larger, more appropriate buildings, some 450 of which were built in the latter half of the nineteenth century.

The most important and influential architect of the era was Henry Hobson Richardson (1838-1886), perhaps best known for his design of Boston's Trinity Church.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 314-334) and index.