Cornell Public Library Building

“Cornell Library,” Ithaca Village Directory, 1869-1870, 23-25.

“The Cornell Library, an efficient means of education to the citizens of Ithaca, owes its existence to the public spirit and munificence of Hon. Ezra Cornell, whose name it very appropriately bears. It is located upon the corner of Tioga and Sene ca streets, having, a front upon the former of sixty-eight feet, and a depth of one hundred. The building is of brick, three stories in height, and so constructed as to be substantially fireproof.

The idea in which this enterprise originated was to bring within the reach of all classes, freely and without cost to them, the treasures of literature and science; and to stimulate and encourage the intellectual growth of the communities within its influence.

In the accomplishment of this purpose, the clear, practical intellect of the founder foresaw, as the first condition of success, that the Institution should be self-supporting; never a dependent on the tardy bounty that half aids and half destroys a needy enterprise; but possessing within itself the means of independent existence, and permanent and sturdy growth. Accordingly, the edifice erected was planned so as to contain, not only the Library and its accessories, but also many rooms so admirably adapted to business purposes as to command, at all times in the future, a large and steadily increasing rental, and thus furnish strength and vitality to the Institution, through the agency of a permanent and durable income.

The execution of this plan met the approval of the entire community. The front of the building, on the first floor, is now occupied by the post office, fitted up with an elegance and convenience rarely excelled; and the First National Bank, whose business rooms, if not as gorgeous as those of the Metropolis, are at least as pleasant and cheerful; while the rear building is devoted to offices, all adding their share to the support of the Library. Here also is the arsenal of the DeWitt Guards, arranged and adorned with a taste and elegance which does them credit, and their drill-room, large and convenient. The Library Hall, a room for public purposes, capable of seating an audience of eight hundred persons, and lighted from the ceiling through globes of glass; the Farmer's Club Room, whose museum of curiosities and specimens of vegetable growths and mineral formations, have become both interesting and valuable ; and the Hall of the Historical Society, whose collection, needing only to be arranged and systematized, is rapidly advancing in interest and importance.

Prominent among the many rare curiosities, are to be found several specimens of art executed by the "American Photo-Lithographic Co.," of Brooklyn, N.Y., of which Mr. Cornell is President. The process of photo-lithographing, enables the reproduction of maps, engravings, charts, woodcuts, &c, in enlarged or diminished size with great accuracy and rapidity. Persons wanting views &c, would by addressing the Company, corner Third Avenue and Tenth streets, Brooklyn, receive specimens of their work gratuitously.

From all these sources revenue flows, steadily and ungrudingly, into the treasury of the Library, making it no dependent upon the charitable impulses of individuals or the public; but able within itself, abundantly to secure its own existence, and promote its own future improvement. And with the additional aid of the permanent endowments, soon to be made by the liberality of its founder, it will be able to act always independently and with effect, become a recognized power in the community, and largely mould and shape the mental and moral character within the circle of its influence.

The Library itself is furnished with great beauty and elegance. Its alcove-columns represent each of the varieties of our native forest woods. The dark swarthy hue of the walnut, the delicate yellow tracery of the pine, the warm veining of the beach and maple, the red glow of the cedar, the shining panels of the elm, the gnarled heart of the locust, the hard, white grain of the hickory, and the dusk shadings of the oak; each with their remaining associates of the forest, combine to make interesting and beautiful, this quiet abode of Literature and Science. Its alcoves are arranged in double stories, and are capable of holding forty or fifty thousand volumes, with means of expansion and enlargement to any extent which the good fortune of the future may make desirable.

The work of filling those waiting shelves with their silent but eloquent occupants has already begun. About four thousand volumes had been selected and purchased by Mr. Cornell, up to December,1867; among which the glowing colors of Audubon’s Birds of America, and the innumerable plates of the Iconographic Cyclopedia, and the old, quaint volumes illustrating the early condition and architecture of London, indicate very clearly his purpose to make the Library collection one of great interest and excellence, and not to be baffled in its execution by even grave questions of expense.

 Attached to the Library, and so arranged as to be used in connection with it, are two reading rooms, one intended to be exclusively occupied by ladies, and the other by gentlemen; to be open and ready for use at all times; where will be found the newspapers and periodical excellence of the day, and where, it is hoped, a pleasant and cheerful place will be found, to lure the young from the dissipation and revelry of idle days and wasted evenings, to the pleasures of intellectual culture, and genial and improving society.

Much of these results is yet in the future, but the foundation upon which they are to rest is already secure; and the pleasure seeker who wanders amid the unrivalled scenery which marks the head waters of the Cayuga, when tired of the roar of water falls, or cool drip of cascades, or summer murmur of waves, will always find welcome and rest in the quiet and pleasant alcoves of the Cornell Library. The number of volumes at present is about 6,000.”

See 115 N Tioga St for full structural description from Sanborn 1910.