PREFACE
This book has been written in the hope that it will be of service to those librarians, architects, and members of library committees, who have in hand the planning of new libraries, or the adaptation of existing buildings to library purposes.
As this is the first treatise written upon the subject, it cannot fail to have imperfections; but the numerous plans with which it is illustrated must prove of great value to all interested in the subject. Some of them have been specially drawn for this work, and others, more especially those of continental buildings, have been copied from works not often to be found in British reference libraries. The aim of the book has been the strictly practical and useful, and accordingly technicalities have been avoided as far as possible.
My most cordial thanks are due to many librarians and architects for information freely given, and the loan of plans and blocks for the illustrations.
Brixton Oval, S.W.
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