Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About The courier. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1894-1903 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 28, 1901)
N V ' tsj-"" yrv THB COURIER .9 1 -3f ' . - ?-r '- x- .. . .' --'Z ',,.&.-. '.-.4. .: . . i w .v9- j..i t ffrK-x- -,- -vCPt " S?.f i--vf . ' . - .., . - JfiMSrttiBaK .-. 'Ti iniFrM-i ii tti i a r-M SEil - vmWHH9BBMF"ia'Wr fc !- I r ',V' MCHiHMBJWVW :-s "- 'vfer&Mii i JSBEBBEkBBBBBB I i . . . m.&1s9I r . .. -r r aKanH ! K B IB Bi BF BT5 ys BBBBBBPr! m'i1 I ' T A. "M ' ' " I '. ' ' " ' ' ' " " ' ' i ""j EXTERIOR OF THE THE NEW CARNEGIE LIBRARY. THE NEW LIBRARY. S. L. GEISTIIARDT. In preparing the preliminary plans for the library to which architects were required to conform, certain features were regarded as indispensable and made the foundation of the design; first, the building must be Ore-proof; second, it must afford accommodations for all the departments of a modern library; third, it must be adapted to economical administration; fourth, there must bean abundance of natural light in all por tions of the building. The requirement of economical administration at once imposed limitations from which the ma jority of libraries have been free. With that end in view it was decided to bring all the essential departments of a library together on one floor, leav ing the incidental features to be pro vided for either on a second 'floor or in a basement. U 3Ut,ri,nct 3Vom A Ak wAwaIWriv jM I ' SccW Havw t?loor The proper construction of the build ing from an architectural point of view, and the fpct that certain apartmonts could be located nowhere except in a basement, made a basement of some kind indispensable. The addition of a second story, therefore, would have diminished the floor space of the main story to such an extent as to make it im possible to provide for all the essential features upon that floor. It was there fore determined to elevate the main floor and to develop the basement to its full est extent, making it practically a first story. This is the plan which has been found most satisfactory wherever tried in libraries of this size. The arrangement of apartments on the main floor is the determining feat ure of the building, to which all other details are made subordinate. Jn selecting the material of which the building was to be constructed it was determined to eliminate all sham and imitation of every kind, and as far as poesihle to have all material the best of its kind. The basement is faced with blue Bedford limestone. This is much softer than granite, but it has been found equal to granite in resisting the weather, and far superior in case of ex posure to fire; while its cost is much less than that of granite. For the superstructure a gray pressed composition brick was selected, with light terra cotta trimmings. The roof is to be covered with red tile, and the dome with copper. In designing the elevations it was the aim of the architects to give an abund ance of window space and yet create an appearance of solidity. This was accom plished by building the outside walls in the form of pilasters and placing the windows in recesses, the abruptness of which is relieved by a framing of molded brick. The ornamental features of the build ing are confined almost wholly to the entrance and the space over the win dows. The windows are surmounted by corbels of terra cotta, and around the entire building near the top extends a broad terra cotta cornice supported by dentils and modillions. The walls have an ornamental crest of terra cotta. The entrance is the rich and distinct ive feature of the building. The exte- "Ii