LIBRARY PLANS CARRY OUT FLEMISH TRADITIONS

The Belgian people through Cardinal Mercier entrusted the design for the restoration of the library of Louvain to Messers Warren and Wetmore, Architects.

Mr. Whitney Warren, who was awarded an honorary degree by the University in 1913, volunteered his services and personally undertook the task. He has reproduced in the new plans the type of Flemish art so well, that he has won the grateful commendation of the administrators and friends of the institution. Cardinal Mercier, on first seeing the proposed plans for the building, wrote a strong letter of congratulation to Mr. Warren, and the Faculty delightedly accepted the proposal.

The American Committee has procured an ideal site for the Library building. It is a large plot, almost square, with a frontage of over two hundred feet, or somewhat less than a city block. The building will face the large central square of the town, La Place du Pueple, a grass-covered common intersected with walks and dotted with trees and shrubbery.

Mr. Whitney's plans, reproduced in the cuts on this page, carry out the ancient traditions of this fifteenth century institution as well as those of the purest Flemish Renaissance architecture. In addition Mr. Whitney has solved the practical problems involved in a library of such huge dimensions. The shelves will have a capacity of two million books, while the Reading Room has been designed to accommodate three hundred students at one time.

The building will consist of three main divisions. In addition to a 45 foot arcade, on the ground floor is a small museum for the treasures of the Library. To the right lie the administrative offices and to the left the belfry tower which will dominate the surrounding country. A monumental stairway leads to the second story, on which is the Catalogue and Distributing Room, situated in the very heart of the building, connecting the Reading Room, which occupies the entire front, with the stack, occupying the entire rear, thus giving the most economical and efficient service possible. Twelve Seminars or special study rooms complete the building.

The materials which will be used in the construction of the building are a white local stone with a creamy tint and red brick. The roof will be of blue slate with copper flashings and it will have three rows of small dormers, giving a pleasing national touch. The belfry tower, which will contain special chimes and the front portal will have many gilded details characteristic of Brabant art.

The covered arcade is one of the most salient features of the proposed Library. Its floor will be of stone and marble, forming a simple and attractive pattern which is repeated in the brick and stone vaulting of its roof, supported by columns having specially designed capitals with animals heads grotesques, and other ornaments.

The facade is symbolic in composition and detail. In the central motive, interest centers on the figure of Our Lady of Victory, supported by St. George and St. Michael crushing the Evil Spirits; destruction of the old Library, while underneath, crowning the doors leading to the three exterior pulpits are busts of the heroes of the war, the King, the Queen, and Cardinal Mercier. The coats of arms of Belgium and the United States are framed in the high balustrade which surrounds and crowns the building; in this balustrade is interwoven an inscription describing the destruction of the old Library and the fact that the restoration is a gift of the American people. "Furore Teutonica Diruta.--Dono Americano Restituta".