Saturday Snapshot

 Saturday Snapshot is hosted by At Home with Books. To participate in this meme post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) have taken then leave a direct link to your post in the Mister Linky. Photos can be old or new, and be of any subject as long as they are clean and appropriate for all eyes to see. How much detail you give in the caption is entirely up to you. Please don't post random photos that you find online.
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 Last week I  posted some exterior shots of the incredible and very beautiful library we have in my hometown. This week, I'm going to follow up with some photos of the interior. I think this is going to have to be a 3 part series because if I want to show you the gorgeous details, there are just too many photos for one post. I only wish you could see it in person!

This week I will focus on the main rooms when you enter the library - the Foyer, and the Reading Room and Reference Room, which are to either side of it. (I still have to show you the adorable children's rooms, local history room, auditorium...) Interior decorators used different styles of furniture and wood similar to those found in English homes of William and Mary and Queen Ann periods. The overall effect is stately yet comfortable. During the day the interior is filled with light from the skylight (from the cupola), french doors to the terrace and floor to ceiling windows. In the evening there is a warm glow from the lamps and chandeliers spread throughout the building. It's a place that makes you want to read!

A view of the Reading Room with cork floors, riff-sawn oak paneling and hand-carved ionic pillars separating the rooms. The main desk is to the right

Several seating areas with tables and lamps are available. French doors are open onto the terrace

Cozy seating near large windows and wooden bookcases

Ceilings are made of hand molded plaster

Hand-carved wooden eagle and antique globe in the Reference Room

Oil portrait of founder over main desk in foyer

Details of intricate carvings made from English lime wood that took Swiss carvers a year and a half to complete

The three main doorways have a carving above them. This one represents the Hive of Industry

Closer detail shows the Lamp of Knowledge. The remaining carving is of the Tree of Life