Page:Library Construction, Architecture, Fittings, and Furniture.djvu/206

182 Literature, Science, and Art." The frontages on the north and south sides are 170 feet in length, and on the east 130 feet. The building contains three floors above the street level and a basement. The ground floor contains news-room, 29 feet by 55 feet, magazine-room, of same size, rooms for the specifications of patents, and lending library, each 50 feet square. The central hall is 54 feet square, and has a staircase which admits to the reference library on the first floor. This is contained in two rooms, each 120 feet by 30 feet. On this floor there are also smaller rooms for games, conversation, &c. The upper floor is wholly devoted to the museum and art galleries. Shelving is provided for 90,000 volumes.

The St. Helens Public Library occupies the whole of the ground floor of the " Gamble " Institute, which was presented to the town by Colonel Gamble, C.B. It was opened for public use in 1896, and was built from the designs of Messrs. Briggs & Wolstenholme, at a cost of about £30,000. (See Fig 84.)

The entrance gives immediate access to the lending library, which extends 56 feet back. An oak counter, 60 feet in length, is provided for indicators and serving purposes. A special feature of the counter is a revolving bookcase, holding about 100 volumes, for the display of recent additions. The front of the case is covered with wire-netting, through which the titles of the books can be read by the public.

The newspaper and magazine reading-room is