Page:Library Construction, Architecture, Fittings, and Furniture.djvu/51

Rh the small print of newspapers; and so the building, outwardly artistic and handsome, is internally a failure.

Side windows in the news-rooms should be placed as high as possible from the floors, so that the light may travel readily over the newspaper stands and racks. Double windows are advantageous when the library is within earshot of noisy traffic, and also in cold weather, as they diminish the draught caused by the hot air of the room chilling against the cold outside glass, the layer of air between the two casements being a bad conductor of heat. Windows should be in definite proportion to the size of the rooms they have to illuminate. If the library is situated in a street of ordinary width, and is not overshadowed by lofty buildings, there should be a minimum of 8 square feet for each 500 cubic feet of room space. On upper floors a slightly smaller proportion may suffice. In relation to this question the aspect of the library should also be considered; a room facing south will do with less window space than one facing north. Large squares of plate glass are better than the small panes or leaded lights so often used. It may sometimes be desirable to glaze the lower parts of the windows with tinted glass to prevent overlooking.

The best light for reading is that which comes from the left side of the reader, so newspaper stands and tables should be placed as far as possible at right angles to the windows. If light can only be obtained from one side of a room, its