Elizabeth Moorhead Vermorcken

“ Careless borrowers are supplied with temporary cards when they forget to bring their own, for it is the aim of the Library staff that no one shall go away unsatisfied. Two books of fiction are lent on one card, and practically no limit is placed on non-fiction—an inestimable boon to the student, who may carry off just as many volumes as he can handle. ”

“ Since all children, native and foreign-born, learn to read in our schools, it would seem only common justice that the want thus created should be freely and advantageously supplied. The Story Hour has been devised as a step to this end. Conducted by the students of the Training School and members of the department's staff, it attracts groups of eager listeners to the Central Library and all the branches. ”

“ The collection of casts, though small, is so well chosen that it gives a chronological view of the development of sculpture, beginning with Assyrian and Persian bas-reliefs and seated figures from Egyptian tombs—mysterious immobile forms surveying the hall as if they had solved the secret of the ages—and continuing through the glories of Greek art, including the metopes of the Parthenon and its eastern pediment. ”

“ These figures bear tributes to the city, such as Peace, Prosperity, Luxuries and Education. To the left of the mailed figure the ugliness and impurities roll away in clouds of dark vapor twisted into the forms and faces of grotesque demons. ”

“ The prime object, of course, is to awaken an interest in literature by kindling the imagination and fostering a healthy liking for romance, and the success of the method is certainly proved by the fact that, after the hour, the children invariably demand "the book with the story." ”

“ Art, according to this theory, springs from and is dependent upon popular sympathy.
Though too early to hazard any predictions as to the creative work that may result from the foundation of the Carnegie Library and Institute, it is safe to say that this institution has already become a definite shaping influence, a vital educational and social force among the people in general. ”

“ That these children voluntarily choose such books is surely a satisfactory indication of the value of the Story Hour, opening as it does a door out of their cramped lives into a new world of beauty and imagination. ”

“ For instance, during the annual exhibition there is a well-filled rack labeled "Books which will help you to enjoy the exhibition in the Department of Fine Arts." Periodicals and comfortable chairs make this an alluring resting-place. Throughout the hard times all the reading and reference rooms have been continuously occupied during working hours by unemployed men, who are taking this opportunity for study along the line of their trades and professions. ”

“ The Reference Department on the second floor is always besieged by students and inquirers. Its open shelves are filled with standard books of reference, and its efficient corps is called upon to furnish information of a most comprehensive order, the records for one day showing a list of questions which range from the Eleusinian Mysteries to Bernard Shaw! This department also renders valuable assistance to the women's clubs in Pittsburgh and in the neighboring towns, by preparing reference lists and collecting the best books on their respective topics. ”

“ Free to the People. Bronze doors open into a handsome vaulted hall paneled with Tennessee marble, from which two broad staircases of the same material lead to the second floor. The effect of this entrance is dignified and harmonious. But more significant is the fact that the Library accomplishes its purpose; in a very real sense it is "free to the people." Entering the well-arranged Loan Department, the visitor is impressed with its homelike, cheerful atmosphere, and at once has a pleasant feeling of proprietorship. For everything is made comfortable, easy, accessible ”

“ The Library system is a great sympathetic plexus, stretching out living filaments into every quarter of the city. A large foreign population and small professional class make active and aggressive measures desirable in Pittsburgh. The Library must go out to the people ”

“ Where all are good it would seem invidious to discriminate, but a few of the better-known works may be indicated, such as Dagnan-Bouveret's much-discussed "Disciples at Emmaus," the gift of Mr. H. C. Frick; Winslow Homer’s vigorous and dramatic "The Wreck;" that subtle study of a temperament, Whistler’s portrait of Sarasate; and Lucien Simon’s "Evening in a Studio," a vivid group, astonishingly brilliant in execution. ”

“ All windows are hermetically sealed and the air is washed before being forced into the stack. An automatic electric elevator connects all floors.
Reference Department, on second floor. The room is 91 x 44 feet with a wing 68 x 32 feet. It is furnished with 20 reading tables, and chairs for 136 persons. On shelves about the walls are 10,000 volumes free of access to all. Over 65,000 more volumes are in the stack. A complete card catalogue of all reference and circulating books is kept here. This department is at the service of those desiring information along any line. ”

“ Taste and genius cannot be constrained by arbitrary means; moreover, artistic appreciation is the prerogative of the few, and the diffusion of taste is not the same thing as the improvement of taste. In other words, it is a mistake to make a good thing too common. ”

“ Here may be found an excellent collection of mounted photographs of paintings, places, architectural subjects, and so on, which are circulated among schools, clubs, classes, and individuals. Finely illustrated books are left lying open on the tables, on such subjects as European Art Galleries, the English Pre-Raphaelites, and Italian cities; in fact, everything is done to bring the means of a broad culture within the reach of even the casual visitor. ”

“ Perhaps no department of the Carnegie Institute is doing a greater educational work than this. There is a small lecture-room in which talks on scientific subjects are given and special specimens are exhibited. The Academy of Arts and Sciences is associated with the Museum in giving free lectures. In most of the sections the plan is adopted of having a small exhibition series for the general public, while special collections are kept apart for the use of students. These can always be seen upon request. ”

“ As it stands to-day, the entire institution is known as the Carnegie Library and Institute of Pittsburgh, and, except the Technical Schools, occupies the Central Library Building. This was completed in its present enlarged form and rededicated in April, 1907. There are the Library proper, which, with its outlying branches, is governed by a Board of Trustees of eighteen members and maintained by the city of Pittsburgh; the Music Hall, which is self-supporting ”

“ At each end of these alcoves high narrow panels, representing men at work against the sky as if at a great elevation, connect the frieze with the larger panels of the second floor.
About the third floor stairway is a series of twelve panels containing nearly four hundred figures which represent the ceaseless, resistless onward movement of the people. In these panels crowds of men, women and children press on toward progress and success. ”

“ Classified Catalogue of all books in the Library, 1895-I911, 8 volumes, 9,385 pages; Catalogue of books in the Childrens Department; Annual reports, and a number of special catalogues and reference lists. A full list of publications now in print may be seen in the current issue of the Monthly Bulletin.
WHO MAY USE THE LIBRARY
All residents and tax-payers of Pittsburgh. Non-residents employed in the city. Other non-residents on payment of $1 a year. Non-resident clubs on payment of $3 a year. Teachers and students of educational institutions in the city. ”

“ This work has an indefinable scope, for it accomplishes much more than the mere carrying of books into the slums; the visitor soon acquires personal influence in the neighborhood, and is often able to be of practical service. ”

“ The types selected are the ordinary types of American working people. No effort has been made to idealize them either in dress or feature.
The panels for the third floor are not yet completed, but when finished will represent the result made possible by labor and depict the various arts and sciences represented in the work of the Institute and Library, the study of which uplifts and beautifies life. [1]
↑ Mr Alexander died on June 1, 1915, before he had had time to complete the panels for the third floor. ”

“ Central Library—Reference, Technology and Periodical Rooms open week days from 9 a. m. to 10 p. m.; Sunday from 2 to 6 p. m. Lending Room open week days from 9 a. m. to 9 p. m. Childrens Room open week days from 9 a. ”