THE ENTRANCE HALL IN THE NEW LIBRARY

Librarian of the College

The illustrations printed herewith are from architect's sketches, but the plans are so far advanced that changes, if any, will be very slight. The sketches show two of the three sections into which the long room occupying the south side of the central block of the building, ground floor, is architecturally divided. The "Delivery Hall" is the central part, about 25 feet square, and occupies the ground floor area of the tower. The massive tower piers and beaming separate it architecturally from the rest of the room. The "'Hall of Exhibits" is the western section. The eastern section, exactly like it, will contain the card catalog. These sections are 56 feet long by 25 wide.

In the "Delivery Hall" is shown the desk over which pass books withdrawn from the stack for use elsewhere, and serving also as the central control and information point. The desk is exactly opposite the south entrance. The opening behind leads immediately to elevator and book lift, behind which is the stack. The door at the extreme right is for the staff, affording quick passage between the card catalog and the catalog work room. The door at the left is the public entrance to the stack.

In the "Hall of Exhibits" there will be exhibition cases on the floor at the right. The cases at the left will be designed for the convenient examination of new books not under glass— and chairs will be provided at the windows. In the right wall, repeating the window motive, are wall exhibition cases, designed with concealed lighting, movable shelves and hangings, so as to provide the most effective display for artistic material. The openings at the end lead to the west entrance, the west stairway, the study hall, the librarian's office and the Treasure Room.

The eastern section, exactly like the "Hall of Exhibits," will provide room for the cases containing the card catalog of the library. The openings at its east end lead to the east stairway, the reference room, and the periodical room. In this end of the entrance hall will be the desk of the assistant to whom should apply any who need suggestions or aid in reading, study or research.

This hall is the focal point of the library. The main entrance opens directly into it, under the tower. As the exterior of the building is American Georgian, or "Colonial," and the tower decidedly reminiscent of Independence Hall, it has seemed to the architect fitting, indeed essential, to handle in the same architectural feeling this, the first part of the interior seen by one who enters under the tower. Hence the simple, dignified Georgian treatment shown in the sketches. Pilasters, cornice, moulding are wood, the rest plaster. The present plan is to paint the wood "colonial ivory," the plaster a soft yellow. Some brown mahogany will be used, when possible, as a relief. Hangings at the windows and the wall cases opposite them will be in some rich color. The floor will be rubber tile, probably black and gray. Unlike most entrance halls, this has natural light. The tall windows look south across the campus. To those who pass through to other parts of the building it should prove a welcoming room, a fitting introduction. To those who remain in it, glancing at new books or exhibits, or awaiting service, it may, it is hoped, seem one of those rare rooms in which it is a pleasure to linger.

The Delivery Hall of the new library

Photostat of a sketch of the Hall of Exhibits

The Semester's End in the Gymnasium