Modern Finishes

Library settings can be made of odd pieces or may be had in complete suites to match. If odd pieces are assembled, it is wise to select the plainer goods, such as colonial type furniture, as there is nothing more easily matched than colonial pieces.

The principal woods used in the construction of library furniture are golden, fumed, or early English finished oak, and mahogany, either in imitation or solid, in the dull finish. Fumed oak finish is becoming more popular for library furniture, because of the hard usage it will endure.

Library Chairs And Rockers

Large, easy rockers and chairs are very proper in this room and owing to the fact that these pieces get very hard wear, the purchaser should scrutinize carefully the grade of leather used in the chairs, and be sure that it is of superior quality.

Chairs with large plain seats and backs and no tufting are the only ones considered by those who wish to avoid extra dusting. Loose cushion effect, such as loose cushion seat with a loose portable back, is very much used. Platform rocking chairs which rock on a platform or on an under separate base, are recommended in heavy chairs. These are very comfortable, as they are regulated by the spring adjustment and can be adjusted to tilt or conform with the weight of the person who uses the chair.

Library Couches

Leather couches, finished in golden oak or mahogany, are sometimes used in libraries of large size. To get a conch that is really comfortable, one should select one that is well upholstered and has deep springs, well tied, with a heavy layer of hair and tow under the leather or upholstering, and with the tufts far apart. The small tufts are firmer, consequently not so soft. If a couch with a frame of an arts and crafts design is used, the plain leather cushions filled with felted cotton should be selected. Occasionally these have nothing beneath the cushions but slats, which make a rather solid couch.

Other arts and crafts couches have full automobile spring cushions, which are more in demand and are more practical than the felted cushions. If these are supplied with good crucible springs there is no reason why they should sag.

In the library a box couch is practical. One that has a spring top for regular couch service, and which has a roomy box beneath, to be used to contain garments, etc., is preferable. These are recommended for those who lack closet room, and they can be used in any room in the house.

Library Tables

Library tables are of all styles. Some have convenient magazine and hook racks at the end and others have the large under shelf to contain the books, while some have both of these features.

One of the greatest improvements of recent years is the library table with the pull-out drawer desk. Such a table has many advantages; one is, that a drawer may be pulled out which has a lid upon which one may write without molesting the table lamp or books, or whatever may be on the table. The large drawer for the writing materials, etc., is accessible by simply raising the lid.

The metal glides or shoes for the bottom of library tables are more practical than casters, particularly where there are children, as the tables will not be so easily pushed about, thus sometimes avoiding a broken lamp or something even more valuable.

Bookcases

The old-fashioned bookcase, known as the combination bookcase, with the writing desk in connection and at one side, is practically out of use, the desk tables having solved the desk need, and the regular wall case or sectional case is used for the bookcase.

There are many makes of sectional bookcases on the market and these are rapidly taking the place of the wall or shelf cases because they economize space. They are very practical, as enough cases can be obtained to contain the desired number of books, and as the library increases more cases can be added. They can be fitted with a desk which serves a better purpose than the combination bookcase desk, on account of the valuable length of the sectional units. These cases are easily handled and each section may be transferred to any part of the house without removing the books. This feature has been the means of saving several valuable libraries in time of fire.

The most important thing to consider in buying sectional bookcases is whether or not the factory will continue to manufacture the case. It would not be economy to purchase a case, even at a 1ow price, if, when one wanted to enlarge the library, a duplicate case could not be obtained. The next consideration is the construction. Sec that the doors slide perfectly free, and that the case is dust-proof, as these are very important. Examine the backs of the cases and the ends to be sure that they will hold up under the weight of the books to be placed in them, as it is this strain which will soon expose a cheaply constructed case.

The bookcase is a necessary accessory to the library, as without it valuable books would soon fall to pieces. The triple and double glass door cases are extensively used, as are also the single glass door cases. In a double or triple case, it is well to have a partition from the bottom to the top, between the doors. When loaded with books, these partitions help to reinforce the cases. The shelves will not be so apt to sag when loaded with books, as where they run entirely across the case. See that the doors are dust-proof, by lapping over the center posts or over each other, and that they have good locks and hinges. Many bookcases have guides on the doors to prevent them from being opened too far and causing the hinges to break.

In long bookcases it is necessary to have an extra leg support under the center, owing to the great weight and strain they are subject to, thus preventing the case from sagging.