A Brief Account of Library Locations

Before opening the impressive and now iconic Carnegie building, the library found its home among some half-a-dozen locations throughout Ottawa.

The first location was nothing more than a single bookcase located in Clark Brothers' book store.

A room was then rented over L. H. Holt's store with the members taking turns opening it two evenings in the week.

While attending a meeting in the room over L. H. Holt's store, Mr. H. F. Sheldon, the mayor at the time, tendered the council rooms located in a schoolhouse south of the then firehouse, adding a reading room to the library.

The next move was to rooms over Robinson hall, later Oelkers & Severs in response to a desire on the part of the patrons for a central location.

Eventually, the library was moved to a series of rooms over the Bank of Ottawa where it remained, steadily growing for six years.

The final location was at 3rd and Main where the importance of the public library was made obvious. After ten years, the library was moved to the beautiful Carnegie building.

The library remained at the Carnegie building until August of 1996 when it was moved to the former Franklin Savings building at 105 S Hickory, where it continues to this day.

We look back and feel humbled by the impact we (as a library) have played in the minds and hearts of Ottawa citizens and look forward two what the next chapter may hold.