Page:Library Construction, Architecture, Fittings, and Furniture.djvu/33

Rh museum and art gallery, and the patent specifications, &c., to another building, and dedicating the whole of the space thus obtained to reference and lending library purposes only; but even this relief is almost outgrown. Although these alterations were only made in 1880, more shelf room for books will be wanted at no very distant date.

The third consideration, that of the surroundings of the library, is also important. If possible, it should be detached from all other buildings, and so diminish the risk of damage by fire, and annoyance from noise to a minimum, and allow the free access of light and air. In some places these requirements have been happily met by erecting the buildings on plots adjoining open spaces which will never be built over, such as recreation grounds, disused city churchyards, or public parks.

The public rooms of a library should not exceed two storeys in height, unless a constant elevator service can be secured. A corner site containing 10,000 square feet will afford accommodation for 150 readers of newspapers and magazines; a lending library of 50,000 volumes; a reference library of 150,000 volumes, with 100 readers; together with librarian's office, and proper accommodation for the staff. In calculating the probable shelf capacity of a site, the question of book storing or warehousing, as compared with shelving the books where the public can see them, must be considered. The general type of library building which has come down to us from the Middle Ages is that of a large and lofty hall, with shelving