# Just LOOK at this old Library! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 21, 2017, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-look-at-this-old-library/784954 "2017-04-21T23:02:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2017, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-look-at-this-old-library/784954/1 "2017-04-21T23:02:14Z")
Wow. Just–WOW! Dopers & Libraries go together like fish & water, so check it out! > **[The Stupendous Old Cincinnati Library (1874 - 1955) - Flashbak](https://flashbak.com/the-stupendous-old-cincinnati-library-1874-1955-378413/)** > > Built in 1874 on the site reserved for an opera house, the Old Cincinnati Library was a thing of wonder. > [@](#): > > Built in 1874 on the site reserved for an opera house, the Old Cincinnati Library was a thing of wonder. With five levels of cast iron shelving, a fabulous foyer and an atrium lit by a skylight ceiling, the place was wonder. In 1955 it closed. It’s sites like this that make me wish we could post images! ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2017, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-look-at-this-old-library/784954/2 "2017-04-21T23:26:31Z")
That is sweet, that is totally where Burgess Meredith should have ended up after snagging some new glasses from a corpse. And BOOOOOOOOOO Cincinnati for closing it. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2017, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-look-at-this-old-library/784954/3 "2017-04-21T23:29:01Z")
Beautiful ironwork, but the stacks look like a deathtrap. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2017, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-look-at-this-old-library/784954/4 "2017-04-21T23:36:29Z")
It looks awesome. Thank you for sharing! ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2017, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-look-at-this-old-library/784954/5 "2017-04-22T00:07:41Z")
I’m mostly impressed by how many people are in the photographs. I can remember life before the internet–barely–and I don’t remember libraries being that packed even then. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2017, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-look-at-this-old-library/784954/6 "2017-04-22T02:33:47Z")
> [@Sattua](#): > > I’m mostly impressed by how many people are in the photographs. I can remember life before the internet–barely–and I don’t remember libraries being that packed even then. That’s because it was before the internet and before TV. And in some of the photos, before movies and before radio and before cars. ---
**Author:** ![Helena330](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/helena330/32/531_2.png) [@Helena330](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena330)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2017, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-look-at-this-old-library/784954/7 "2017-04-22T03:00:33Z")
> [@friedo](#): > > Beautiful ironwork, but the stacks look like a deathtrap. I wonder if anyone ever jumped? Gorgeous pictures. I love the third one from the bottom with the spiral staircase very visible. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2017, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-look-at-this-old-library/784954/8 "2017-04-22T03:38:36Z")
Little Rock spread their book collection among several branches in the city. The main library and branches were sometimes busy, but never crowded like in the old library. I’ve never been in a library with huge, towering shelves like in the OP. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2017, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-look-at-this-old-library/784954/9 "2017-04-22T04:49:17Z")
I wonder why it closed. Shame. That first photo says 1874, but he’s not dressed right for that era (nor were there good photographs then, if any). Probably more likely to be in the 1940s or later. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2017, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-look-at-this-old-library/784954/10 "2017-04-22T12:28:32Z")
They had stereoscopes??? My library doesn’t have stereoscopes. All they have are computers and 3-d printers and crap. No VR of any sort. (And for some reason a tower garden with lights growing very expensive lettuce.) ---
**Author:** ![ioioio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ioioio/32/316_2.png) [@ioioio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ioioio)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2017, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-look-at-this-old-library/784954/11 "2017-04-23T21:25:49Z")
Gorgeous, but not the place for acrophobiacs like me. I get nauseated just looking at that first photo. If that place were my childhood library, my reading would’ve been confined to the first level. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2017, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-look-at-this-old-library/784954/12 "2017-04-23T21:47:31Z")
> [@friedo](#): > > Beautiful ironwork, but the stacks look like a deathtrap. Seeing that first picture, I hoped they had plenty of well-marked fire exits. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2017, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-look-at-this-old-library/784954/13 "2017-04-23T22:21:21Z")
> [@friedo](#): > > Beautiful ironwork, but the stacks look like a deathtrap. Yeah, I think the railings are lower than what would be permitted today, unless that guy in the first picture is seven feet tall. Lean back a little bit and you could go right over the top. A rather timely thread, since I was just in [this library](https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5472/14102908332_02cd69cb89_b.jpg) last week; not very big, and a very dry selection I’m sure, but just a gorgeous room. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2017, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-look-at-this-old-library/784954/14 "2017-04-23T22:24:51Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > Yeah, I think the railings are lower than what would be permitted today, unless that guy in the first picture is seven feet tall. Lean back a little bit and you could go right over the top. > > A rather timely thread, since I was just in [this library](https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5472/14102908332_02cd69cb89_b.jpg) last week; not very big, and a very dry selection I’m sure, but just a gorgeous room. Where is that, **Robot Arm**? ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2017, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-look-at-this-old-library/784954/15 "2017-04-23T23:25:54Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > I wonder why it closed. Shame. > > That first photo says 1874, but he’s not dressed right for that era (nor were there good photographs then, if any). Probably more likely to be in the 1940s or later. A new, modern library opened up so they demolished this one. Crazy, right!? Here is a picture of the library being destroyed: [![](https://www.messynessychic.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/demolitionlibrary.jpg) ](https://www.messynessychic.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/demolitionlibrary.jpg) From here: > **[Seriously Though, How Did the Most Beautiful Library in America Get Demolished?](https://www.messynessychic.com/2014/06/17/seriously-though-how-did-the-most-beautiful-library-in-america-get-demolished/)** > > The old  Public library of Cincinnati was the sort of place you only see in a Harry Potter film; colossal cast-iron book alcoves and spiral staircases that went several stories high, checker board marble floors that... ---
**Author:** ![DorkVader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2017, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-look-at-this-old-library/784954/16 "2017-04-23T23:39:51Z")
sigh, I wish my town had a library like those pictured in this thread. Not even a grow operation like **ftg** ’s library. My local libraries are all bland at best. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2017, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-look-at-this-old-library/784954/17 "2017-04-24T00:15:00Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Where is that, **Robot Arm**? It’s in the state capitol building in Rhode Island. It’s all sorts of legal and governmental documents; Congressional records going back to the founding of the U.S., and state records back to the original Rhode Island Royal Charter. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2017, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-look-at-this-old-library/784954/18 "2017-04-24T00:44:27Z")
Did you notice the photo of the black children at the library? That’s a bit surprising since these were taken before 1955. Segregation was common in many, many states besides the South. I’d guess it was like movie theaters that had a separate entrance and seating area. The library probably had a separate entrance. So glad that foolishness and stupid thinking is in the past. [![](https://flashbak.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Cincinnati-Library-5.jpg) ](https://flashbak.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Cincinnati-Library-5.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2017, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-look-at-this-old-library/784954/19 "2017-04-24T00:56:00Z")
Just noticed the triple sink and faucets in that photo. Was that a converted restroom? The other article mentioned they were running out of space. They may have gotten a bit creative to make more room. The sign says, Get towel at desk before washing your hands. ---
**Author:** ![Helena330](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/helena330/32/531_2.png) [@Helena330](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena330)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2017, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-look-at-this-old-library/784954/20 "2017-04-24T01:04:07Z")
> [@guestchaz](#): > > sigh, > I wish my town had a library like those pictured in this thread. > Not even a grow operation like **ftg** ’s library. **My local libraries are all bland at best.** We have towering modern monstrosities built of metal and glass. I don’t understand the ridiculously high ceilings as I’m sure it costs a fortune to heat those things. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-look-at-this-old-library/784954.md?page=2)