STOCKHOLM OPENS GIGANTIC BUILDING AS PUBLIC LIBRARY

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6672, 27 July 1928, Page 8

STOCKHOLM OPENS GIGANTIC BUILDING AS PUBLIC LIBRARY

HALL OP MIGHTY IMENSIONS HAS SHELVES BUILT HP IN THEBE TERRACES.

STOCKHOLM. Unique monumental buildings have arisen in Stockholm every two or three years with great regularity. In June, 1923, Stockholm's Town Hall, which has achieved a reputation as Europe's most beautiful modern building, was inaugurated. In the spring of 1920 the Temple of Music, also unique in Europe was formally opened, and now nearly two years, later, another gigantic building opens its mighty doors of Egyptian style, to an eager public. According to Dr. Valfrid Palmgren Munth-Petterson, who since 1909 has been instrumental in solving the problem of a town library in the capital, and who has made extensive studies in America of its public library system, the Stockholmers from the opening day have taken possession of their new library as if they always had been used to the advantages it offers. Even its branch library for juveniles built to seat 70, how has a seating capacity of 100, and is patronised by about 700 children daily. The style of this new building, designed by the Swedish architect Asplund, has been. described as “ rigid, modern classic, based on the Egyptian." ' ;

All doubts as to tho success of this architectural form are dissipated, however, as soon as the building is entered. The hall, circular and of mighty dimensions, 28 metres in diameter and of a similar height, has been called the Pantbeon 'of books. It' certainly, gives one a sense of freedom. Book shelves in three terraces arc built to about onetbird of its height. In the , children’s reading room, where they may sit at 1 a' large "table and read as much as they will, or take a book home, tho shelves are laden with books of fun and decorated with modern wooden toy animals. In an adjoining room, under a ceiling decorated by Alf Munthe, with a map of the stars on a blue sky are books for somewhat older children. ■ .