In 1926, Houston completed construction of a new public library. This building has been restored and reopened to the public this month. My wife and I visited the library yesterday and I took a few photos.
When you visit the library, now known as the Julia Ideson building, the staff recommend you begin your tour on the third floor to see the ceiling.
Then on the second floor you’ll see something like this.
The reading room opens next week and so I could only photograph it from outside.
The children’s library also opens next week and so I could only photograph it through the door.
Finally, here is a meeting room.
My photos of the building’s murals and tapestries turned out poorly and so I’ll spare you from seeing those. (I’ve hardly ever used a camera. Someday I’d like to learn how to take decent photos.) You can find more photos of the library, current and historical, on the website for The Julia Ideson Library Preservation Partners.
In 1976 a new library opened next to the 1926 building. The contrast between the buildings is stark. No historical society will ever lobby to preserve or restore the new Houston library building. It’s just a typical, bland, modern box. The old library feels like a library. The new library feels like an office building. The old library makes you want to stay and lose yourself in a good book. The new library makes you complete your transaction and leave.
No historical society will ever lobby to preserve or restore the new Houston library building.
I’m sure that’s what the people in 1926 thought, too, comparing their bland little box with the grandeur of the best of what was left over from, say, 1880.