Ottawa’s Carnegie Library

Library books were circulated in Ottawa as early as 1871, but the town had no building for that purpose until the early 1900s (before that, it was host to a number of reading rooms in hotel lobbies, as well as some “small fee-based libraries for working men”). In 1897, citizens formed the Public Library Board in order to persuade the city council to free funds to build a library. Eventually, Mayor William Morris wrote to American philanthropist Andrew Carnegie (who, in the end, helped fund libraries around the world) soliciting funds for the proposed library. Carnegie donated $100,000 toward the building, provided the city would donate the land and $7,500 annually for upkeep. Although more than generous, many city councillors voted against the offer, believing their part of the bargain too expensive. But public opinion prevailed; the city purchased land at the corner of Metcalf and Laurier Streets, and construction began in 1905. Carnegie arrived in May 1906 to officially open the building, which was named the Carnegie Library in honour of his generosity.