Page:Library Construction, Architecture, Fittings, and Furniture.djvu/299

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CORNELL UNIVERSITY
275

each other, and have a present capacity of about 400,000 volumes. The most distant book is only 120 feet from the centre of the delivery desk, and as each storey is only seven feet in height, there are no books beyond easy reach from the floor.

The dimensions of the building are 170 feet by 153. The general outline being somewhat in the form of a cross, the book-stacks, II (Fig. 123), occupying the southern and western arms, the reading-rooms, A B, the eastern, while the northern provides accommodation for the offices of administration, the "White " Library, and seven seminary rooms.

The main entrance is in the north-east angle of the building, and over the door is a beautiful bronze medallion of Mrs. Jennie M'Graw-Fiske, in memory of whom the library was built and endowed by the donor. The entrance-hall, C, is lit by a skylight, shown in Fig. 124. On the right are cloak-rooms, D and E, for men and women, and checking room, K, for an attendant. The hall is fitted with seats and open fireplace, so that it can be used for conversation without disturbing the readers. From the inner hall, C, is entered the general reading-room, A, the reading-room for periodicals, B, the librarian's room, H, and the cataloguing room, G. The periodical room, B, is 50 feet by 21, and is lit by windows 8 feet from the ground. Under these run a range of wall bookcases, holding about 7000 volumes.

The general reading-room, A, is 126 feet by 66, and will provide Beats for 220 readers, allowing for each