Page:Library Construction, Architecture, Fittings, and Furniture.djvu/29

Rh sides. The entrance is placed in the middle of the narrowest side, and leads to a reading-room in the central part of the building one-third the width of the site, and lit from four open courts and the roof. The portion of the site behind the reading-room is cut up into small rooms for the staff and for the shelving of the rarer books. The remainder of the site on left and right of the reading-room is entirely devoted to two book stores, which extend from the front of the building to its rear, and are planned to shelve the books in double cases, placed at right angles between each window. This design, however, was never carried into effect, although it received the commendation of Vincenzo Follini, librarian of the Magliabecchian Library, and of Molbech, librarian of the Royal Library at Copenhagen.

The provision of a suitable site lies at the foundation of a satisfactory library building. A poor building may indeed be built upon the best site, but it is certain that a well-adapted library cannot be expected if the area on which it is to be built is cramped and irregular. In choosing a site, there are three questions which should be asked about it

(1.) Is it suitably placed for the readers who are likely to use it?

(2.) Is there space sufficient, not only for the present needs of the readers and stock of books, but for its future growth and extension?

(3.) Are the surroundings likely in any way to interfere with the comfort of the readers, or the safety of the building and its contents?