Page:Library Construction, Architecture, Fittings, and Furniture.djvu/290

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LIBRARY ARCHITECTURE

above. It is divided by screens into two apartments, one of which (63 feet by 58) is used as the reading-room, and the other (60 by 64) is shelved as a stack-room (Fig. 120). A notable feature of the reading-room is the oak periodical and newspaper case in the centre. No files of any kind are used, but the current numbers of over 600 publications are placed here, each compartment having the name in gold letters of the periodical or paper it contains. The back numbers are filed behind the attendants' desk. The room has numerous tables of convenient size. Students and readers wishing to order books for reference can do so without leaving their chairs, as each table is furnished with a compartment containing blanks. They also have drawers on either side, wherein are found supplies of paper for use of members. Immediately in the rear of the reading-room is the storage-room for the books belonging to the reference department. The storage capacity is about 140,000 volumes. At present it contains about 50,000 volumes, principally the documents of the national and state governments, and bound volumes of newspapers and magazines. The library is lighted throughout by electricity.