Page:Architectural Review and American Builders' Journal, Volume 1, 1869.djvu/838

 rj80 The Architectural Review and American Builders' Journal. [May, DESCRIPTIONS. ARCHITECTURAL LIBRARIES. THERE is no want more felt by the student in Architecture, than that of scarcity of the books most necessary to his education in his profession. The cost of those standard works, to the possession of which his prospect lies through a long vista of successful labors alone, is an insuperable barrier to his present attainment of them ; and yet his progress depends, in a great degree, on those, as aids to his advancement. Few architects have complete libra- ries ; many have but meagrely supplied bookcases j and none of those can be expected to give up, to the constant use of students, or draughtsmen, the costly works they cherish. In this country, the books and plates, so much needed, are almost unknown, to those who want them most. In this state of things, the weekly or monthly publications, which now emanate from the press, are most desirable assistants, friends, and guides ; but, they do not. and they cannot, fill the deficiency, which is occasioned by the want of the necessarily portly tomes, containing the coveted information of authorities now far beyond their reach. Our best public libraries afford a very scanty means of assistance to the student or general reader ; and hence the too general ignorance, of even otherwise well-read persons, on the subject of Architecture. The apology, to be offered for this want, is a practical one, namely : — the costliness of books, so seldom enquired for. To meet this want of a place of mental resort for our professional students, as well as for general inquirers after architectural knowledge, The American Institute of Architects is now labor- ing zealously to establish, in New York, a Public Library, devoted to the wants of students and draughtsmen. This is a most desirable institution, and worth}' of every support : the evidence of the want of ii" is so clear, that its claims on public patronage are strong indeed ; and the effort of the Institute is deserving of all credit. No doubt, the European Architectural Societies will be in warm sj'mpathy with this effort, to advance the best interests of the noble art, in this couutiy, by affording its aspirants the requisite fountain of knowledge, whereat to drink. And there should be little question, that our own National Government will lend its aid to establish so great a work. Individual possessors of valuable books and engravings, on the subject of Architecture, would confer a favor on the community by taking them from the oblivion of their shelves ; and making them over to this library, or some similiar one in Philadelphia, that the mission, for which they were originally meant, by their authors, that of doing the largest possible amount of good, should be literally fulfilled. In this way, we would soon find Architectural Libraries established and prospering, for the most laudable of purposes — the propagation of a knowledge, now so limited, as to leave it a simple subject of surprise, that our designs are even so good as they are. The Institute's pioneer advance on this branch of the great march of intel- lect, will soon be followed, in all our cities, by co-operative efforts, until every opportunity is given the struggling students, throughout the land, to store their minds with the much needed knowl- edge, which valuable publications give. Architectural Lectures will soon follow the establishment of the Public Library. Collegiate courses of instruction will come next ; and the well-earned diploma