Carnegie Free Library Memorial Stone laying. Mansfield Chronicle 10.6.1904 p5 The Renaissance style of architecture is to be adopted„ and the front elevation in Leeming-street will have an imposing appearance, And be quite as ornament to the town. Mansfield stone will be entirely used for the front, and the side elevation will be of red-sand bricks, with stone dressings. It is proposed to place suitably inscribed panel in the gable, commemorating the gift of the library by Mr.Carnegie, and this will be surmounted by the arms of the borough. The entrance will be in Leeming-street, and will lead Into a spacious hall, around which will be grouped the public rooms. Accommodation is, provided on the ground floor for a lending library, 60ft, by 18ft. 3in.; reading-room, with magazine and reference-room screened off, 60ft. by 26ft. 6in.; ladies' room, 26ft. 6in. by 15ft. 3in., and librarian's room and packing room. In the arrangement of the several rooms, great importance has been attached to the necessity of working the library with a small staff, without at the same time sacrificing the convenience of the public. Every room will have freah-air inlet tubes, or panels, and ventilating radiators. Flues for vitiated air are to be placed in the roof, having a large electric fan extractor. The lighting will be by electricity, and the heating by hot water. The lending library will be immediately opposite the entrance, and a large space is to be provided for borrowers of books. An iron staircase will give access to a storeroom on the first floor, and there will be a small hoist for books. The total cost of the building will be sbout, £3,000. Just before three o'clock the Mayor and Corporation, together with the members of the Free Library Committee, assembled at the Town Hall and proceeded thence to the site of the Free Library in Leeming-street. Mrs. Markham, accompanied by Lady Dartnell, wife of General Sir John. Dartnell, and Mrs. Bretton, shortly afterwards arrived in a closed carriage. J Vanags – Old Mansfield Society