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Interior of Reference Library
Browne, George Washington, 1887, Press cutting, Reproduction
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Interior of Reference Library
Interior of Reference Library
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Category
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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.
Exhibitions with this item
Edinburgh Libraries - 125 years
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