Fig. 22.—Lending Library with Open Access for Non-fiction ([Section 123]).
128.
128. The lighting, heating and ventilation of library buildings are all matters which primarily concern the architect; and they are seldom solved in a completely satisfactory manner. Lighting is the one that most directly interests the librarian, as much of the effectiveness of libraries depends upon it. A valuable discussion upon the question took place in 1911 at joint-meetings of the Illuminating Engineering Society and the Library Association, at which both librarians and lighting engineers expressed their views and experience. The matter is one for expert advice, but librarians should be clear as to the problems to be solved in artificial lighting; these are:
To light reading room tables, so as to avoid glare in the eyes of readers.
To prevent the casting of strong shadows, single or multiple.
To avoid fixing furniture or fittings in permanent positions.
To ensure the illumination of the room generally, as well as the tables.
To light the vertical spaces presented by two cases of books standing face to face, with a narrow gangway between, so that the book-titles on all the shelves can be read easily.