The chairs made in Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire are the best and
cheapest in the market, and more satisfaction will result from orders
placed direct with the makers than from purchasing at an ordinary
furniture dealer’s. It is better to have small chairs made with the
back and back legs all in one piece, thus, [Illustration] rather than
with legs and back rails all separately glued into the seat like this,
[Illustration]. The reason is of course that by the former plan of
construction greater strength is obtained, and future trouble in the way
of repairs will be largely obviated. Avoid showy chairs, and everything
that smacks of the cheap furniture market. It will strengthen the chairs
to have hat rails as well as ordinary side rails, and be a convenience
to readers as well. They should cross from the bottom side rail, thus,
[Illustration]. Arm-chairs should be provided at discretion. In magazine
rooms where there is a rack, tables can be largely dispensed with if
arm-chairs are used. If neither wood-block flooring nor linoleum is
used, the chairs may with great advantage be shod with round pieces of
sole leather screwed through a slightly sunk hole to the ends of the
legs. These deaden the noise of moving greatly, and are more durable
than india-rubber. Two or three dozen of chairs _more_ than are actually
required should be ordered. Umbrella stands are best patronised when
attached to the tables, like ordinary pew ones. An umbrella stand close
to the door is such an obvious temptation to the thief that careful
readers never use them on any consideration. Of rails for fixing to
the tables there are many kinds, but probably the hinged pew variety,
plain rail, or rubber wheel, all with water-pans, will serve most
purposes. Many libraries make no provision at all either of hat rails
or umbrella stands, for the simple reason that 50% of the readers do
not enter to stay, while 99% never remove their hats. In proprietary
libraries everything is different, and an approach to comforts of the
sort indicated must be made. The standard hat rack and umbrella stand
combined, like that used in clubs, schools, the House of Commons, &c., is
the best for such institutions.
Show-cases ought to be well made by one of the special firms who make
this class of fitting. Glass sides and sliding trays, with hinged and
_locked_ backs, are essential. For museum purposes all sorts of special
cases are required, and the only way to find out what is best is to visit
one or two good museums for the purpose.