The "rotunda" refers to the large common space on the second level of the library that sits directly under the dome. The space is roughly 40 feet in diameter and five stories high. Unfortunately during the building's 105 year life it was allowed to deteriorate to the point at which the plaster work was crumbling and the appearance was appalling. Here is a photo from summer 2005 of one of the windows about 20 feet up in the rotunda.

Thanks entirely to investment from one local (middle class) family and the tireless work of R.W. Company out of Michigan (a highly skilled old world plasterer), the rotunda has now been 90% restored. R.W. Company erected enormous scaffolding standing 40+ feet tall and nearly 30 feet wide in August 2005. Here's a shot of the scaffolding as it was being constructed. It really was like a ship in a bottle.

As of Mid December 2005 a large portion of the restoration on the rotunda has been completed. The main area is now absolutely gorgeous and has been restored to a finished state that is, in many ways, more complete than when the rotunda was originally done. Here's a shot of the same window from above in its refinished state.