The development of libraries during the latter part of the nineteenth century may be compared with that of cathedrals and abbeys in Norman times, or that of colleges and grammar-schools under the Tudors. In all these cases the age, instinctively discerning its needs, partly by public effort, partly by private munificence, covered the land with edifices for their satisfaction. In so doing it necessarily gave rise to a number of architectural problems. That the libraries of the present day, however smaller in scale, may not be architecturally less honourable to their epoch than the corresponding constructions of the past, must be the earnest aspira- tion of all who regard them as among the charac- teristic monuments of the nineteenth century, and a most important manifestation of its intellectual activity. This ideal is the more difficult of attain- ment, inasmuch as obstacles now exist which were comparatively unfelt in the Middle Ages. The mediaeval pious founder was frequently his own architect; at all events, paying the piper, he called the tune. In any case, there was a thorough com- munity of feeling between him and the builders he employed. The builder was thoroughly broken ​in to his task, and entirely absorbed in it; since, from the inevitable slowness of mediaeval operations, arising from the deficiency of capital and labour, the erection of an abbey or a college might be the sole occupation of a lifetime. Far different is it now, when the most extensive architectural undertakings seldom require more than three or four years, and the same architect is equally ready to turn out a church, a library, a theatre, or a bank. It is inevitable that in the absence of special knowledge of and special devotion to a particular style of edifice, the sentiment of architectural display should gain the upper hand. Hence a continual conflict between the architect who desires a handsome elevation, and the librarian who aims at practical convenience; frequently determined by a committee endowed with no great feeling for either.

Parodying a famous saying, it may be safely affirmed that this state of things will continue more or less until architects are librarians, or librarians architects. It is, meanwhile, a very useful service to bring the parties together as near as may be, by the simple exhibition of what has been done; showing how difficulties have been met, and objects attained, occasionally even how they have been missed. Mr. Burgoyne has performed this service for both professions in this little volume, destined, in the Editor's judgment, to rank among the most valuable contributions hitherto made to library literature. By copious illustration, indicative of extensive research, he has shown how the problems ​incident to the accommodation of books, and the adaptation of all parts of a library to the public service, have been actually dealt with in the most civilised parts of the world. Librarians and architects are thus supplied with a number of models to choose from, and abundant hints for further deve10pment from the combination of the best points of existing edifices. With this will be found much valuable counsel respecting the organisation of a library in. so far as the material fabric is concerned, including in this definition furniture and fittings, mechanical aids to efficiency, and protection from fire and other perils.

One important feature of a work like this is that it enables us in a manner to codify the maxims already deduced from experience. It will be found that there are many points upon which librarians are practically unanimous; arrangements common to most of the leading libraries here described, other arrangements which they practically concur in rejecting. Such observations may be developed into a code of rules, extending gradually by experience, until, allowing for the inevitable differences in the special needs of the various libraries, all important points have the sanction of general consent. It is impossible to enumerate such details within the limits of a preface. One cardinal rule may be laid down, always to design with reference to the probable future of the library. If it is destined to perpetual insignificance, no particular provision is necessary; but if to a great expansion, this should be foreseen and provided for from the ​first. A generous view should be taken of such a library, ample space for additions should be secured, and the plan should be so framed that any future accretion should be a legitimate and harmonious development of the original model. So liberal a procedure, however, is only practi- cable when and where the public library has established itself in the public consciousness as an institution of paramount importance. American libraries are planned on a larger scale than the British, and with more complete appliances, be- cause the library and the librarian are more regarded in America than here. It rests with librarians themselves, and with national instructors generally, to raise the British conception to the American standard, and with the public itself to demonstrate the inadequacy of the existing libraries by copious resort to them. Should this come to pass, the subject of library architecture will gain greatly in importance, and as the nineteenth century has been an age of construction, the twentieth may prove one of reconstruction.

This book has been written in the hope that it will be of service to those librarians, architects, and members of library committees, who have in hand the planning of new libraries, or the adaptation of existing buildings to library purposes.

As this is the first treatise written upon the subject, it cannot fail to have imperfections; but the numerous plans with which it is illustrated must prove of great value to all interested in the subject. Some of them have been specially drawn for this work, and others, more especially those of continental buildings, have been copied from works not often to be found in British reference libraries. The aim of the book has been the strictly practical and useful, and accordingly technicalities have been avoided as far as possible.

My most cordial thanks are due to many librarians and architects for information freely given, and the loan of plans and blocks for the illustrations.