THE selection of furniture and equipment is an essential and important element in the successful conduct of the library. In so far as it is possible, it is well to avoid an institutional atmosphere. Color and arrangement will do much to eliminate the earmarks of the classroom. Plain walls tinted light ivory or cream color, give an appearance of spaciousness and light, and at the same time harmonize with any color used in the woodwork. Sage green furniture and shelving are restful and pleasing to the eye. The color will not clash with the interior finishing. Dark oak is preferable to light oak finish. Linoleum has proved to be the most satisfactory floor covering for public library buildings. Jasp6 is the latest to give satisfaction. A plain color of a darker shade than that used for the furniture looks better than one with mixed colors or block patterns. Wall shelving saves floor space and the time of the student seeking material. The purchase of commercially made solid book cases with glass doors is not recommended. If expense is a consideration, the hospital carpenter or a local carpenter or cabinet maker can make shelving of pine. For permanence, it is more satisfactory to purchase unit shelving in three-foot sections with adjustable end panels that may be added to as the book collection grows. These may be purchased from one of the well-known library supply houses. A section six feet, ten inches, in height and three feet wide will hold approximately 175 books. It provides for one base shelf, approximately four inches from the floor, and six shelves adjustable in height on oneinch centers. The ends of the adjustable shelves are notched on the underside to receive the supporting non-rusting shelf pins, which engage in holes in the uprights. These pins may be purchased from library supply houses. The average sized book requires an eight-inch depth of shelf. Provision should be made for larger books, such as encyclopedias and other reference books, with shelves having a depth of twelve inches. For the sake of uniformity, the eight-inch shelving may be placed on an opposite wall from the twelve inch. Whatever the decision as to the source of shelving, it must be of uniform height, r??ii' :;::': :'? .. ~~-~3 ? : ::i::?*F?l~l~r.~:::~iiBBS~::.~.:?:??? 1.? ., ~g~.??? i?:'lf i:':?'' ?'i:?.?:. fi ?::. : ?: ? ?:?: ??;::? ~i:iiii:iifiiii::i
Search from 250 M+ research papersSearch from 250 M+ research papers
Aug 1, 1937
Susan T Smith 
