The Most Beautiful Libraries in Canada

Since the days of antiquity, libraries have been monumental structures essential to civilizations the world over, protecting the written records of humanity. While a number of libraries dazzle with their historic architectur there are quite a number of Baroque halls with gorgeous detailing there are also modern masterpieces impressing with unusual designs. Let’s exploce The Most Beautiful Libraries in Canada below.

The Most Beautiful Libraries in Canada

Trinity College Library – Dublin

The number one must see on a trip to Dublin isn’t the Guinness Storehouse, it’s Trinity College’s Old Library. Construction on the Long Room, the library’s iconic main hall, began in 1712 and lasted 20 years. The original structure only had books on the lower level, but when the library’s shelves were filled in the 1850s, the ceiling was raised (and barrel vaulted) to accommodate even more books. Today the Long Room holds 200,000 of the library’s oldest books.

Admont Abbey Library 

Architect Joseph Huber designed this magnificent Baroque library the largest monastery library in the world which opened in 1776. He followed the ideals of the Enlightenment, once saying “Like our understanding, spaces too should be filled with light.”
The result is this airy main chamber lined with bookshelves. Of particular note are the seven ceiling frescoes by Bartolomeo Altomonte and the limestone sculptures by Josef Stammel.

Library of Parliament

This Victorian Gothic style library is the Library of the Parliament of Canada. When the parliament was built in the late 1800s, librarian Alpheus Todd insisted on having iron doors at the entrance of the library to protect books and government documents in case of a fire.
When a fire erupted in the Centre Block on February 2, 1916, a quick thinking employee ordered to have these doors shut, saving this precious room. It’s the only room that survived the fire and we’re certainly thankful because it’s gorgeous.

Halifax Central Library

The boxy building is only four years old, having opened in 2014, but points to the city’s history. Literally. It’s fifth floor dramatically juts out from the building, drawing a line between the Halifax Citadel and Halifax Harbour. The cantilever houses an urban “living room” with stunning views of the city.

Central Library of Vancouver Public Libraries – Vancouver

When members of the public voted on designs for the the new Central Library in Vancouver, they eschewed more traditional structures in favor of Israeli-Canadian architect Moshe Safdie’s radical plan, which was conceived in conjunction with DA Architects. Thus, today you’ll find in a Colosseum esque radial wall filled with public spaces for reading and relaxing in the heart of Vancouver.

Port Credit Branch Library, Mississauga, Ont.

When the branch was first designed in the early 1960s, it was meant to have windows looking toward the nearby Credit River. Budget cuts resulted in a solid concrete wall, instead. But a 2013 renovation, which helped win a Governor General’s Medal for designers RDHA, rectified the error, resulting in a far more picturesque experience.

The Stephen A. Schwarzman Building of the New York Public Library New York

The 1911 Beaux-Arts flagship of the New York Public Library, designed by Carrère and Hastings, is one of the top tourist attractions in the city, not to mention one of the best research libraries in the city, too. The standout hall is the Rose Main Reading Room, with 52-foot high ceilings decorated with ornate murals and architectural detailing like gilt rosettes.

Vaughan Civic Centre Resources Library, Ont.

There’s no fear of being hushed at Vaughan’s newest library: noise is expected, even encouraged. Opened in 2016, it has options for those who prefer more active forms of learning, including a recording booth and virtual reality station. This is once of The Most Beautiful Libraries in Canada.

Vancouver Public Library

Vancouver’s largest library was designed by architect Moshe Safdie, whose most famous building is Montreal’s Habitat 67. The building, which looks like a modern day Colosseum, is Safdie’s tribute to the ancient world, when the notion of libraries was first formed.

Library of Parliament 

Since 1876, The Parliament of Canada has had a suitably grand building in which to store its resources. The attractive, elaborate Victorian High Gothic structure of Ottawa’s Library of Parliament owes its design to Canadian architects Chilion Jones and Thomas Fuller.
Its multicolored appearance referred to as structural polychromy is down to a mix of materials, including green and purple bands of slate and red Potsdam sandstone. The three tiered roof crowned with a cupola adds to the majestic effect; and so too do the stone carvings in friezes and floral motifs on the exterior, as well as the 16 flying buttresses.