Interior of Reference Library

Category

Library Item

Item no

33917

Title

Selected design for Edinburgh Public Library - Mr George Washington Browne, Architect. Interior of Reference Library

Description

Sketch of the proposed interior of the Reference Library.

Artist / maker

Browne, George Washington

Date

1887

Size

18.0 x 22.5cm

Type

Press cutting; Reproduction

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

Reprinted from The Builder of July 16 1887

Now there is only one entrance into the Reference Library but originally there were two. The reason for this was that there was a ladies entrance and a gentleman's entrance. When the building was first opened the area facing George IV Bridge was reserved for Ladies. It came with its own fireplace and a spiral staircase in the far left-hand corner led down to ladies toilets. When the building first opened it was capable of accommodating 160 male readers and 36 females!

The amazing dome is one of the finest of its type in Scotland and the room remains almost as it was originally intended with built-in catalogue on the east wall and galleries above the book bays. The room was not built as it appears in the sketch. The second gallery was omitted.

Edinburgh Central Public Library is, strictly speaking, located on the Cowgate. It rises up four floors from this level to its main entrance on George IV Bridge. It was designed by George Washington Browne, and built in 1887-90. It was built with money donated by the philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. Central Library acts as the community library for the centre of the city. It also has several subject dedicated sections: the Fine Art Library; Music Library; Edinburgh and Scottish Collection, and the Reference Library.

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