Page:Library Construction, Architecture, Fittings, and Furniture.djvu/256

232 arranged on stands in alphabetical order. The total cost of the building and fittings was about 7500.

The "Tate" Public Library, Streatham, was built in 1891, from the designs of Mr. Sidney R. J. Smith. It is a good example of a compact building for a small library on one floor. All the rooms are well arranged for supervision, and there is no waste of space in long corridors and entrance-halls.

The entrance is in the centre of the main frontage, and on the left is a newspaper-room, 40 feet by 25 feet, and 22 feet in height. This accommodates thirty readers at three tables, and twenty-five newspapers upon reading stands. On the right is a magazineroom, 30 feet by 25 feet, and 16 feet high, which seats fifty readers. The lending library, 47 feet by 29 feet, is at the back of the building, with the issue desk placed in a counter opposite the entrancedoor. The books are arranged in double bookcases, placed at right angles to the wall, and will shelve about 25,000 volumes. Adjoining the lending library and magazine-room, with a door into each, is the librarian's office and committee room, 20 feet by 18 feet. A residence for the librarian is provided over part of the building, and is approached by a staircase at the back of the committee room. The general arrangement is shown in Fig. 107.

The style of the building is essentially Greek in feeling. It is faced with Portland stone, and the entrance-doors are of oak, with bronze paterae and other enrichments. The floors of the entrance-hall and public portions of the lending library are of black and white tiles, with interlacing Greek key