List of Carnegie libraries in Canada


There are a total of 125 public Carnegie libraries in Canada. Of these, the vast majority were built in Ontario. They were constructed and opened from 1903 to 1922. Place names as they were during the grant period are used. In a few cases, Carnegie made multiple donations. An attempt is made to note these and sum the total amount. In addition, one academic library was built for Victoria University in the University of Toronto by architect Henry Sproatt, from a $50,000 grant awarded April 16, 1906.

Alphabetical listing




Library namePlaceProvinceDate grantedGrant amount Date openedLocationNotes
Amherstburg Public LibraryAmherstburgOntario10,000232 Sandwich St.
by architect Charles Howard Crane,
Aylmer Public LibraryAylmerOntario8,000Centre St. and Sydenham St.

Ayr Public LibraryAyrOntario5,20092 Stanley St.
  • by architect William Edward Binning,
  • Closed in 2004; a new library was built nearby.
Barrie Public LibraryBarrieOntario15,00037 Mulcaster St.
  • by architect Alfred Hirschfelder Chapman
  • Closed in 1996, this building is now the MacLaren Arts Centre.
Beaverton Public LibraryBeavertonOntario7,000401 Simcoe St.by architect William Edward Binning,
Berlin Public LibraryBerlinOntario40,900Queen St. and Weber St.

  • by architect Charles Knechtel
  • Building demolished in 1962.
Bracebridge Public LibraryBracebridgeOntario10,00094 Manitoba St.by architect George Martel Miller,
Brampton Public LibraryBramptonOntario12,50055 Queen St. E

  • by architect Alexander Frank Wickson,
  • Closed in 1974; designated as a heritage building in 1982.
Brantford Public LibraryBrantfordOntario48,00073 George St.Closed in the 1990s, now home to the Brantford campus of Wilfrid Laurier University.
Brockville Public LibraryBrockvilleOntario17,50023 Buell St.

  • by architect Benjamin Dillon
Brussels Public LibraryBrusselsOntario7,000402 Turnberry St.
  • by architect William J Ireland
Calgary Public LibraryCalgaryAlberta80,0001221 2nd St. SWKnown as Memorial Park Library since 1977.
Campbellford Public LibraryCampbellfordOntario8,00098 Bridge St. E
by architect William Austin Mahoney
Chatham Public LibraryChathamOntario19,000The first Carnegie library opened in Canada. Destroyed by 1983.
Clinton Public LibraryClintonOntario4,90023 Albert St.
The Clinton library is the only Carnegie library in Canada which was funded as an addition to an existing building, which was built in 1900.
Collingwood Public LibraryCollingwoodOntario14,500Maple St. and Second St.

  • by architect William Stewart,
  • Destroyed by fire in 1963.
Cornwall Public LibraryCornwallOntario8,000Second St. and Sydney St.Demolished in 1956.
Dawson City Public LibraryDawson CityYukon25,000Queen St. and 4th Ave.

  • By architect Robert Moncrieff
  • By 1920, the population was too small to support the library, which had been extensively damaged by fire and water. This was the northernmost Carnegie library ever built. It has been a Freemason hall since the 1930s.
Dresden Public LibraryDresdenOntario8,000187 Brown St.* by architect Arthur M Piper,
This is the only remaining Carnegie building in the Municipality of Chatham-Kent still operating as a library. It was built in 1913 with a donation of $8,000 received from Andrew Carnegie in 1906. In the 1980s the building was designated an historic site under the Ontario Heritage Act. It remained unchanged for many years until after the amalgamation of the County of Kent and City of Chatham. In 2000, the townspeople of Dresden celebrated the grand opening of the refurbished library.
Dundas Public LibraryDundasOntario12,00010 King St. W

  • by architect Alfred Hirschfelder Chapman
  • Closed in 1979, this building is now home to the Dundas Art & Craft Organization.
Durham Public LibraryDurhamOntario8,000240 Garafraxa St. Nby architect William Austin Mahoney
Edmonton Public LibraryEdmontonAlberta75,000MacDonald Dr. west of 100th St.
The building was demolished in 1969; AGT Tower was erected on the former library's site.
Elmira Public LibraryElmiraOntario7,00065 Arthur St. S
by architect William Austin Mahoney
Elora Public LibraryEloraOntario6,400144 Geddes St.
Essex Public LibraryEssexOntario6,00018 Gordon Ave.

  • by architect James Carlisle Pennington,
  • Now home to the Essex and Community Historical Research Society.
Exeter Public LibraryExeterOntario8,000Main St. and Sanders St.
  • by architect William Austin Mahoney
  • A newer library was recently built.
Fergus Public LibraryFergusOntario7,000190 Saint Andrew St. Wby architect William Austin Mahoney
Forest Public LibraryForestOntario5,000by architect William Austin Mahoney. Closed in 1986.
Fort Frances Public LibraryFort FrancesOntario10,000363 Church St.
by architect William Austin Mahoney
Fort William Public LibraryFort WilliamOntario50,000216 Brodie St. S
Galt Public LibraryCambridgeOntario23,00034 Water St. N

  • by architect Frederick William Mellish,
  • Closed in 1969 and now owned by a private company.
Glencoe Public LibraryGlencoeOntario5,000Main St.Closed in 1993.
Goderich Public LibraryGoderichOntario10,00052 Montreal St.

  • by architect Joseph Ades Fowler,
Grand Valley Public LibraryGrand ValleyOntario7,5004 Amaranth St. E
  • by architect George Gray
  • This building was completely destroyed by a tornado in 1985. A new library was subsequently built in its place.
Gravenhurst Public LibraryGravenhurstOntario7,000275 Muskoka Rd. SClosed in 2000, this building is now the Carnegie Arts Centre.
Grimsby Public LibraryGrimsbyOntario8,00025 Adelaide St.

  • by architect Arthur Edwin Nicholson
  • Now used as the Grimsby Archives.
Guelph Public LibraryGuelphOntario14,500100 Norfolk St.
  • by architect William Frye Colwill,
  • Demolished in 1964 for new library.
Hamilton Public LibraryHamiltonOntario100,00055 Main St. W
  • by architect Alfred W. Peene
  • After closing in 1980, this building is now the Unified Family Court.
Hanover Public LibraryHanoverOntario10,000451 10th Ave.by architect William Edward Binning,
Harriston Public LibraryHarristonOntario10,00088 Mill St.
by architect William Edward Binning,
Hespeler Public LibraryHespelerOntario14,28023 Tannery St. E
Ingersoll Public LibraryIngersollOntario10,000
Kemptville Public LibraryKemptvilleOntario3,000207 Prescott St.

  • by architect A. Stuart Allaster
Closed in 2010, now in private hands
Kenora Public LibraryKenoraOntario15,00024 Main St. S
Kincardine Public LibraryKincardineOntario5,000727 Queen St.
Kingsville Public LibraryKingsvilleOntario5,00028 Division St. S
by architect William Austin Mahoney
Leamington Public LibraryLeamingtonOntario10,000by architect John Alexander Maycock
Lethbridge Public LibraryLethbridgeAlberta25,000601 – 3rd Ave. S
The library closed in 1974 but is now home to the Southern Alberta Art Gallery.
Lindsay Public LibraryLindsayOntario13,500190 Kent St. W
by architect George Martel Miller,
Listowel Public LibraryListowelOntario10,000260 Main St. W
by architect William Edward Binning,
Lucknow Public LibraryLucknowOntario7,500526 Campbell St.
Lucknow Public LibraryLucknowOntario7,500526 Campbell St.
Markdale Public LibraryMarkdaleOntario7,00021 Main St. E.

  • by architect Julian Charles Forster,
  • Closed in 2001; now the Johnson and Schwass PC law firm; a new library was built nearby and renamed The Walter Harris Memorial Library
Merritton Public LibraryMerrittonOntario8,500344 Merritt St.
  • by architect Arthur Edwin Nicholson
  • Closed; now the Chestnut Woods School of Montessori Education.
Midland Public LibraryMidlandOntario12,500526 Hugel Ave.
  • by architect William Austin Mahoney
  • Now the Olde Town Library - Home Decor/Antiques/Vintage and Cafe
Milverton Public LibraryMilvertonOntario7,00027 Main St. S
  • Library moved to new location due to accessibility laws.
Mimico Public LibraryMimico, TorontoOntario7,50047 Station Rd.
Mitchell Public LibraryMitchellOntario6,000105 Saint Andrew St.by architect William Edward Binning,
Mount Forest Public LibraryMount ForestOntario6,000118 Main St. N
by architect George Gray
New Hamburg Public LibraryNew HamburgOntario8,000145 Huron St.
New Liskeard Public LibraryNew LiskeardOntario10,90050 Whitewood Ave.

  • by architect Henry Westlake Angus,
  • Known since 2004 as Temiskaming Shores Public Library - New Liskeard Branch
New Westminster Public LibraryNew WestminsterBritish Columbia15,000Carnarvon St and Mackenzie St. This library closed in 1958, when a new library opened on the same site.
Niagara Falls Public LibraryNiagara FallsOntario15,0005017 Victoria Ave.

  • by architect Charles Martin Borter
  • Closed in 1974. Occupied today by the Community Resource Centre.
North Battleford Public LibraryNorth BattlefordSaskatchewan15,0001 Railway Ave. ENow the Allen Sapp Gallery.
North Bay Public LibraryNorth BayOntario16,395
  • by architect Henry Westlake Angus,
  • Now demolished.
Norwich Public LibraryNorwichOntario7,000?21 Stover St. NNow home to private businesses.
Norwood Public LibraryNorwoodOntario5,000
Orangeville Public LibraryOrangevilleOntario12,500144 Broadway
Orillia Public LibraryOrilliaOntario13,50036 Mississaga St. W.
*by architect William Henry Croker
  • Extensive renovations have effectively obscured the original building's façade.
Oshawa Public LibraryOshawaOntario14,000Athol St. and Simcoe St.
  • by architect John Merven Carrerre
  • Sold and demolished in 1956.
Ottawa Public Library — Central BranchOttawaOntario100,000120 Metcalfe St.Destroyed; a new library was built at the same location.
Ottawa Public Library — Rosemount BranchOttawaOntario15,00018 Rosemount Ave.
Last Carnegie grant given in Canada.
Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public LibraryOwen SoundOntario25,000124 1st Ave. W
by architect Julian Charles Forster,
Palmerston Public LibraryPalmerstonOntario10,000265 Bell St.

  • by architect William Frye Colwill,
  • It has been speculated that the Carnegie Foundation would never have granted Palmerston its funding had it known the building would be used for several non-library purposes.
Paris Public LibraryParisOntario10,00012 William St.by architect Alexander Frank Wickson,
Parkhill Public LibraryParkhillOntario8,000233 Main St.
by architect William Austin Mahoney
Pembroke Public LibraryPembrokeOntario14,000237 Victoria St.
Notably designed by Francis Conroy Sullivan, a Canadian pupil of Frank Lloyd Wright
Penetanguishene Public LibraryPenetanguisheneOntario13,000
Perth Public LibraryPerthOntario10,00077 Gore St. E

  • by architect George Thomas Martin,
  • After a 1980 fire, this corner building was restored and is now known as the McMillan Building.
Peterborough Public LibraryPeterboroughOntario30,000
Picton Public LibraryPictonOntario12,500208 Main St.
  • by architect Frank Peden,
Port Elgin Public LibraryPort ElginOntario8,800708 Goderich St.
  • by architect Edward Demar
Port Hope Public LibraryPort HopeOntario10,00031 Queen St.by architect William Austin Mahoney
Preston Public LibraryPrestonOntario12,000156 Argyle St. N

  • by architect William Edward Binning,
  • This building was closed in 1973 when Preston, Galt, and Hespeler merged to form Cambridge library system.
Regina Public LibraryReginaSaskatchewan50,0001900 Lorne St.Demolished and replaced in 1962.
Renfrew Public LibraryRenfrewOntario16,00013 Railway Ave.
by architects Joseph A. Humphris & Richard Hubert Millson
Saint John Public LibrarySaint JohnNew Brunswick50,00020 Hazen Ave.
Closed in 1983, this building is now home to the Saint John Arts Centre.
Sarnia Public LibrarySarniaOntario20,000Demolished in 1960.
Sault Ste. Marie Public LibrarySault Ste. MarieOntario
10,000
15,500
Queen St. and East St.

  • by architect Edward Demar
  • The first library was destroyed by fire in 1907. Carnegie reluctantly donated for a second library in 1909.
Seaforth Public LibrarySeaforthOntario10,000108 Main St. SCarnegie's secretary, James Bertram, who not only organized but decided upon many new library grants himself, is buried outside Seaforth with his wife.
Selkirk Public LibrarySelkirkManitoba10,000Eaton Ave. and Eveline St.
This building was declared structurally unsafe in 1959 and later demolished.
Shelburne Public LibraryShelburneOntario6,000201 Owen Sound St.
Simcoe Public LibrarySimcoeOntario10,00023 Argyle St.

  • by architect Ralph K. Shepard
  • Closed in 1984; now occupied by a law firm.
Smiths Falls Public LibrarySmiths FallsOntario11,00081 Beckwith St. NFirst library in Canada visited by Andrew Carnegie.
St. Catharines Public LibrarySt. CatharinesOntario25,00059 Church St.
Building demolished in 1977, replaced by Ontario Court of Justice building
St. Marys Public LibrarySt. MarysOntario10,00015 Church St. N

  • by architect Joseph A. Humphris
St. Thomas Public LibrarySt. ThomasOntario27,0009 Mondamin St.
  • by architect Neil R. Darrach
  • Closed in the early 1970s, this building now hosts the St. Thomas Planning Office.
Stirling Public LibraryStirlingOntario5,00043 W Front St.by architect William Austin Mahoney
Stouffville Public LibraryStouffvilleOntario5,0007 Main St. E

  • by architect Frederick Frank Saunders
  • Closed in 1974 as the library moved to a larger building.
Stratford Public LibraryStratfordOntario15,00019 Andrew St.
Sydney Public LibrarySydneyNova Scotia15,000
  • by architect Charles Benjamin Chappell
Sydney Public LibrarySydneyNova Scotia15,000
  • by architect George Edgar Hutchinson,
    • Tavistock Public LibraryTavistockOntario7,50031 Maria St.
    Teeswater Public LibraryTeeswaterOntario10,000?2 Clinton St. S
    		by architect William Edward Binning,
    Thorold Public LibraryThoroldOntario10,0001 Ormond St. S

    • by architect Arthur Edwin Nicholson
    • Heritage designation, now used as office space.
    Tillsonburg Public LibraryTillsonburgOntario10,000Broadway St. and Washington Grande Ave.
    • by architect William Austin Mahoney
    • Replaced in 1974 by a newer library on the same site.
    Toronto Public Library — Beaches BranchTorontoOntario15,0002161 Queen St. E
    Toronto Public Library — Central Reference BranchTorontoOntario275,000214 College St.

    Toronto Public Library — High Park BranchTorontoOntario15,000228 Roncesvalles Ave.
    Toronto Public Library — Queen & Lisgar BranchTorontoOntario25,0001115 Queen St. W
    		It served the community until 1964, when it was replaced by a new Parkdale Library. The building housed the offices of the Parkdale Branch of Toronto Public Health until September 2012. A recent $6.2 million renovation transformed the building into a 21st-century live arts hub and incubator and the permanent home of The Theatre Centre.
    Toronto Public Library — Riverdale BranchTorontoOntario25,000370 Broadview Ave.
    Toronto Public Library — Wychwood BranchTorontoOntario20,0001431 Bathurst St.
    Toronto Public Library — Yorkville BranchTorontoOntario25,00022 Yorkville Ave.
    Toronto Junction Public LibraryToronto JunctionOntario20,000145 Annette St.

    • by architect James Augustus Ellis
    • Renamed Annette St. Branch in 1962.
    Vancouver Public LibraryVancouverBritish Columbia50,000401 Main St.
    • by architect George William Grant
    • Closed in 1957. Since 1980, it has been the Carnegie Community Centre, but there is still a branch library operating on the first floor.
    Victoria Public LibraryVictoriaBritish Columbia794 Yates St.
    • by architects Thomas Hooper and C. Elwood Watkins.
    • Sold in 1980s to Westcoast Savings Credit Union and currently used as office space rented to commercial and institutional tenants.
    Walkerton Public LibraryWalkertonOntario10,000253 Durham St. Eby architect George Gray
    Wallaceburg Public LibraryWallaceburgOntario11,500by architect Arthur M Piper,
    Waterloo Public LibraryWaterlooOntario10,00040 Albert St.

    Watford Public LibraryWatfordOntario6,0005317 Nauvoo Rd.by architect William Austin Mahoney
    Welland Public LibraryWellandOntario25,000140 King St.
    		Now the Welland Museum. Architect was Norman A. Kearns.
    Weston Public LibraryWeston, TorontoOntario10,0002 King St.
    		Now part of Toronto Public Library system.
    Whitby Public LibraryWhitbyOntario132 Dundas St. W

    • by architect William Austin Mahoney
    • Closed in 1973, this building is now used as a law office.
    Winnipeg Public Library — William AvenueWinnipegManitoba75,000380 William Ave.
    • by architect James Chisholm
    • Closed in 1994 and now home to the City of Winnipeg Archives.
    Winnipeg Public Library — Cornish BranchWinnipegManitoba35,00020 West Gate
    • by architect S. Frank Peters
    • The grant was jointly awarded for this branch and the Winnipeg — St. John's Branch.
    Winnipeg Public Library — St. John's BranchWinnipegManitoba35,000500 Salter St.
    • by architect John Nelson Semmens,
    • The grant was jointly awarded for this branch and the [|Winnipeg — Cornish Branch].
    Windsor Public LibraryWindsorOntario27,000Park St. and Victoria St.First Carnegie library granted in Canada.
    Woodstock Public LibraryWoodstockOntario24,000449 Hunter St.