120. The plans which are given in this section illustrate the principal points raised. They will also serve as suggestions to committees, librarians and architects charged with the establishment of new library buildings. [Figs. 10] and [11] represent a building designed to be worked on the open access system in each department, and in every respect it is a model of good arrangement and convenience.
Fig. 13.—Montrose Open Access Lending Library ([Section 121]).
121.
121. The principle of radiation to secure oversight and ease of working is well illustrated in [this plan]. The next plan ([Fig. 12]) shows the plan of radiation applied to an open access lending department in a square room, and here it is obvious that considerable loss of space is sustained in the angles. The same objection applies to the arrangement of [Figs. 13] and [14]. [Figs. 10] and [11] show the children’s room and general reading room on the ground floor, and the lending library on the first floor, together with a lecture room. It is argued in favour of this that fewer people go to the lending department than to the reading room, and that the plan is therefore more convenient. In practice it has been found an admirable arrangement. [Figs. 15] and [16] show the arrangement of a large library, fully equipped with all departments, and in this the radial arrangement of bookcases in the lending library has not been adopted because of the shape of the room. Another plan on the same principle ([Fig. 27]) illustrates an open access library without radiating bookcases, and a double entrance and exit counter. An interesting arrangement for a small open access library is afforded by the Fulham North Library, designed by the late Franklin T. Barrett, in which the lending department is shown in a gallery surrounding a reading room on the ground floor ([Fig. 17]).
Fig. 14.—Bromley (Kent) Open Access Lending Library with Radiating Stacks in a Square Room ([Section 121]). This Library has now been re-arranged, and the radiating stacks arranged in parallel order.
122.
122. The following plans of closed libraries, worked on various systems, speak for themselves, and show clearly the variety of ways in which this kind of library can be arranged.
[Fig. 18] shows a semi-circular counter with the books arranged behind, the borrowers’ space being flanked by a reading room and juvenile room. [Figs. 19] and [20] are arranged with long counters providing for indicators for fiction and card changing for non-fiction, with the other departments grouped round. [Fig. 21] shows an indicator occupying the sides of a large lobby on the first floor, and [Fig. 22] a plan for working a library on the open access system for non-fiction, and the indicator for fiction.