The façade is of free English Renaissance character, simple in outline and detail. The principal entrance leads through a vestibule, with inner screen-doors to the hall, 18 feet wide, in which is placed the main staircase. This hall and staircase, forming one of the chief features of the building, lead to the natural history museum and the board room, on the first floor.
On the ground floor, immediately on the right hand when entering, is the lending library, a room 64 feet long by 31 feet wide (Fig. 106). As in most of the other rooms, a portion of the light is obtained from the top by means of a large lantern light formed in a covered ceiling. The room is filled with double-sided bookcases, 9 feet in height, in addition to the shelving placed round the walls, and will accommodate about 20,000 volumes.
The reference library is situated in the rear of the building. It is a room 36 feet by 39 feet, and 20 feet high. In addition to two side windows, it has a central dome lantern light of ornamental tinted lead glazing, 17 feet in diameter, the lower portion having a deep panelled frieze. From the upper portion of this lantern, ventilation is obtained. Bookcases have been erected on three sides, with a gallery running round, reached by a spiral staircase, which is also carried down to the book-store in the basement; in addition, a book-lift is provided near the attendants' counter. At the end of the room, under the windows, two alcoves are formed by a projecting, double-sided bookcase, readers' tables being placed in each bay.
