Library of Parliament

The beauty of the Library of Parliament is reminiscent of an earlier age, echoing times and personalities long past.

Overlooking the spectacular craggy bluffs of the Ottawa River, the Library has been admired by millions of visitors since it opened in 1876.

History & architecture

Library of Parliament interior

The Library of Parliament is the only section of the original Parliament Buildings that survived the fire of 1916. Its structure is a unique adaptation of the medieval "chapter house" form.

The Library of Parliament was built between 1859 and 1876, from plans drawn up by architectural partners Thomas Fuller and Chilion Jones. It is the best example of Thomas Fuller's work, a highly distinguished Canadian architect.

The Library of Parliament serves the information, research and documentation needs of Parliament. Its collection covers hundreds of years of history. Its staff answers today's questions and anticipates tomorrow's information needs while working in the oldest part of Centre Block -the only part that survived the fire of 1916.

The Library of Parliament was built from 1860 to 1876, at the same time as Canada as a country was beginning to take shape. Alpheus Todd, the first Librarian of Parliament, had a significant influence in the development of the collection and its role as well as on the architects Thomas Fuller and Chilion Jones in the building's design. His important contributions included the Library's shape, several fire-safety measures and many other functional aspects of the Library.

Alpheus Todd's forethought played a big part in saving the Library from the 1916 fire that ravaged the original Centre Block. That night the iron doors to the Library were closed. This combined with the narrow corridor separating the Library from Centre Block, the wind and the efforts of fire fighters saved this one link to Centre Block's origins.

The interior of the Library, like the first Centre Block, is made primarily of pine, richly and fantastically carved. From the tiny detail of each finely crafted flower to the soaring height of the dome, the Library of Parliament is a joyous celebration of colour, texture and function. While the Library is an architectural marvel, the wealth of its treasures lies also behind the spines of its books, in the stores of its computers and in the people who work here.

With over 600,000 items and 300 people, the Library serves the information, research and documentation needs of Parliament. Its collection covers hundreds of years of history and provides the resources for today's most pressing issues. The collection and its role have evolved through years of progress and peril.

Library of Parliament exterior

Modeled on the Reading Room of the British Museum, this distinctive circular structure features a ring of sixteen flying buttresses, pinnacles, decorative windows and beautiful ornamental ironwork. A circular lantern crowns the Library building.

The Library also plays a vital role in the overall look of Parliament Hill. While the Centre Block and the formal Parliamentary lawns represent an ordered landscape, the Library's design echoes the contour of the escarpment, and the building is set against the wilderness of the cliff.

The beauty of the Library of Parliament is reminiscent of an earlier age, echoing times and personalities long past. Overlooking the spectacular craggy bluffs of the Ottawa River, the Library has been admired by millions of visitors since it opened in 1876.

The first Librarian of Parliament, Alpheus Todd, advised that this Gothic marvel be separated from the Centre Block by a corridor to protect it from fire. That advice helped save the Library from the disastrous fire of 1916. As a result, we can continue to enjoy this architectural jewel.