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Main reading room, Library of Parliament, Ottawa
Main reading room, Library of Parliament, Ottawa. DavidWEnstrom, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Main reading room, Library of Parliament, Ottawa. Photo: DavidWEnstrom, CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/), via Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Canadian_Parlimentary_Library_Interior.jpg
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Library of Parliament

Ottawa, Canada, 1876

Closed 2019 with Centre Block; reopens about 2031–32

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The record

Worth knowing

  • Library of Parliament, worth knowing: After the 1849 Montreal fire destroyed the Parliament buildings and their library, the Ottawa library was insisted upon as a separate structure with fire-proof iron doors.

    primaryhillnotes.ca
    Cite
    Library of Parliament, worth knowing: After the 1849 Montreal fire destroyed the Parliament buildings and their library, the Ottawa library was insisted upon as a separate structure with fire-proof iron doors.
Source: https://hillnotes.ca/2026/02/26/the-library-of-parliament-150-years-of-history/
Evidence tier: primary
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/ottawa/#f-0g2bag8
    Dispute#

  • Library of Parliament, worth knowing: Architects in the 1859 competition for the Parliament buildings had just ten weeks to meet detailed requirements, according to Hill Notes.

    primaryhillnotes.ca
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    Library of Parliament, worth knowing: Architects in the 1859 competition for the Parliament buildings had just ten weeks to meet detailed requirements, according to Hill Notes.
Source: https://hillnotes.ca/2026/02/26/the-library-of-parliament-150-years-of-history/
Evidence tier: primary
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/ottawa/#f-120oe3o
    Dispute#

  • Library of Parliament, worth knowing: In the 1952 fire, firefighters used nearly 910,000 litres of water and about 150,000 volumes had to be taken off the shelves.

    primaryhillnotes.ca
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    Library of Parliament, worth knowing: In the 1952 fire, firefighters used nearly 910,000 litres of water and about 150,000 volumes had to be taken off the shelves.
Source: https://hillnotes.ca/2026/02/26/the-library-of-parliament-150-years-of-history/
Evidence tier: primary
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/ottawa/#f-0amouxn
    Dispute#

Built

  • Library of Parliament, built: construction Dec 1859 - opened 28 Feb 1876; architects Thomas Fuller & Chilion Jones

    secondaryhillnotes.ca
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    Library of Parliament, built: construction Dec 1859 - opened 28 Feb 1876; architects Thomas Fuller & Chilion Jones
Source: https://hillnotes.ca/2026/02/26/the-library-of-parliament-150-years-of-history/
Evidence tier: secondary
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/ottawa/#f-15vzica
    Dispute#

  • Library of Parliament, built: Work halted in 1861; the collection arrived in 1866.

    wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
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    Library of Parliament, built: Work halted in 1861; the collection arrived in 1866.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Library_of_Parliament
Evidence tier: wikipedia
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/ottawa/#f-0de36jo
    Dispute#

  • Library of Parliament, built: Thomas Fairbairn Engineering Co. of Manchester contracted for a prefabricated dome.

    wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
    Cite
    Library of Parliament, built: Thomas Fairbairn Engineering Co. of Manchester contracted for a prefabricated dome.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Library_of_Parliament
Evidence tier: wikipedia
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/ottawa/#f-0jvkwc5
    Dispute#

  • Library of Parliament, built: First building in North America with a state-of-the-art wrought iron roof.

    wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
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    Library of Parliament, built: First building in North America with a state-of-the-art wrought iron roof.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Library_of_Parliament
Evidence tier: wikipedia
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/ottawa/#f-1wyhis7
    Dispute#

Architect

  • Library of Parliament, architect: Fuller and Jones selected over 15 other proposals in a design competition

    secondaryhillnotes.ca
    Cite
    Library of Parliament, architect: Fuller and Jones selected over 15 other proposals in a design competition
Source: https://hillnotes.ca/2026/02/26/the-library-of-parliament-150-years-of-history/
Evidence tier: secondary
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/ottawa/#f-19x59xr
    Dispute#

Collection

  • Library of Parliament, collection: 650,000 items covering hundreds of years of parliamentary history

    wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
    Cite
    Library of Parliament, collection: 650,000 items covering hundreds of years of parliamentary history
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Library_of_Parliament
Evidence tier: wikipedia
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/ottawa/#f-0v4izo9
    Dispute#

  • Library of Parliament, collection: Survived the 1916 Centre Block fire; clerk Michael MacCormac secured the library's iron doors before the fire could spread

    wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
    Cite
    Library of Parliament, collection: Survived the 1916 Centre Block fire; clerk Michael MacCormac secured the library's iron doors before the fire could spread
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Library_of_Parliament
Evidence tier: wikipedia
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/ottawa/#f-1sf9dr4
    Dispute#

  • Library of Parliament, collection: 47,000 volumes, including several donated by Queen Victoria, installed.

    wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
    Cite
    Library of Parliament, collection: 47,000 volumes, including several donated by Queen Victoria, installed.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Library_of_Parliament
Evidence tier: wikipedia
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/ottawa/#f-0trepir
    Dispute#

  • Library of Parliament, collection: White marble statue of Queen Victoria by Marshall Wood, 1871.

    wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
    Cite
    Library of Parliament, collection: White marble statue of Queen Victoria by Marshall Wood, 1871.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Library_of_Parliament
Evidence tier: wikipedia
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/ottawa/#f-1pnscc6
    Dispute#

Status today

  • Library of Parliament, status today: Library of Parliament closed with Centre Block (since 2019); main construction complete 2030-2031, Centre Block reopens about one year later

    primarycanada.ca
    Cite
    Library of Parliament, status today: Library of Parliament closed with Centre Block (since 2019); main construction complete 2030-2031, Centre Block reopens about one year later
Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-services-procurement/services/infrastructure-buildings/parliamentary-precinct/projects-in-parliamentary-precinct/centre-block-project/about-centre-block-project.html
Evidence tier: primary
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/ottawa/#f-1algbm5
    Dispute#

  • Library of Parliament, status today: Library of Parliament Act of 1871 formally established the institution.

    secondaryhillnotes.ca
    Cite
    Library of Parliament, status today: Library of Parliament Act of 1871 formally established the institution.
Source: https://hillnotes.ca/2026/02/26/the-library-of-parliament-150-years-of-history/
Evidence tier: secondary
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/ottawa/#f-0mig728
    Dispute#

  • Library of Parliament, status today: Survived two fires and several restorations; 1952-1956 significant restoration.

    secondaryhillnotes.ca
    Cite
    Library of Parliament, status today: Survived two fires and several restorations; 1952-1956 significant restoration.
Source: https://hillnotes.ca/2026/02/26/the-library-of-parliament-150-years-of-history/
Evidence tier: secondary
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/ottawa/#f-1d9s098
    Dispute#

  • Library of Parliament, status today: When it reopens, the Centre Block will look very much as it did before

    primarycanada.ca
    Cite
    Library of Parliament, status today: When it reopens, the Centre Block will look very much as it did before
Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-services-procurement/services/infrastructure-buildings/parliamentary-precinct/projects-in-parliamentary-precinct/centre-block-project/about-centre-block-project.html
Evidence tier: primary
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/ottawa/#f-1u8019w
    Dispute#

What happened here

  1. 1859Library of Parliament, founded, 1859: International design competition launched

    secondaryhillnotes.ca
    Cite
    Library of Parliament, founded, 1859: International design competition launched
Source: https://hillnotes.ca/2026/02/26/the-library-of-parliament-150-years-of-history/
Evidence tier: secondary
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/ottawa/#e-0a33vfy
    Dispute#

  2. 1871Library of Parliament, founded, 1871: Library of Parliament Act

    secondaryhillnotes.ca
    Cite
    Library of Parliament, founded, 1871: Library of Parliament Act
Source: https://hillnotes.ca/2026/02/26/the-library-of-parliament-150-years-of-history/
Evidence tier: secondary
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/ottawa/#e-19qcfzi
    Dispute#

  3. 1876Library of Parliament, opened, 1876: Library opened (28 February)

    secondaryhillnotes.ca
    Cite
    Library of Parliament, opened, 1876: Library opened (28 February)
Source: https://hillnotes.ca/2026/02/26/the-library-of-parliament-150-years-of-history/
Evidence tier: secondary
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/ottawa/#e-1t9g0b9
    Dispute#

  4. 1916Library of Parliament, damaged, 1916: Fire destroys the Centre Block; Library only part left standing

    secondaryhillnotes.ca
    Cite
    Library of Parliament, damaged, 1916: Fire destroys the Centre Block; Library only part left standing
Source: https://hillnotes.ca/2026/02/26/the-library-of-parliament-150-years-of-history/
Evidence tier: secondary
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/ottawa/#e-1ugsbpr
    Dispute#

  5. 1916Library of Parliament, damaged, 1916: A fire started in the House of Commons reading room in 1916.

    primaryhillnotes.ca
    Cite
    Library of Parliament, damaged, 1916: A fire started in the House of Commons reading room in 1916.
Source: https://hillnotes.ca/2026/02/26/the-library-of-parliament-150-years-of-history/
Evidence tier: primary
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/ottawa/#e-0zm0rp1
    Dispute#

  6. 1952Library of Parliament, damaged, 1952: Fire in dome; closed ~4 years, restored 1952-56

    secondaryhillnotes.ca
    Cite
    Library of Parliament, damaged, 1952: Fire in dome; closed ~4 years, restored 1952-56
Source: https://hillnotes.ca/2026/02/26/the-library-of-parliament-150-years-of-history/
Evidence tier: secondary
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/ottawa/#e-1gk003l
    Dispute#

  7. 1956Library of Parliament, rebuilt, 1956: Significant restoration

    secondaryhillnotes.ca
    Cite
    Library of Parliament, rebuilt, 1956: Significant restoration
Source: https://hillnotes.ca/2026/02/26/the-library-of-parliament-150-years-of-history/
Evidence tier: secondary
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/ottawa/#e-1jf3ep8
    Dispute#

  8. 2006Library of Parliament, reopened, 2006: Tours resume after major renovation (5 June 2006)

    wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
    Cite
    Library of Parliament, reopened, 2006: Tours resume after major renovation (5 June 2006)
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Library_of_Parliament
Evidence tier: wikipedia
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/ottawa/#e-0nwwcr1
    Dispute#

  9. 2019Library of Parliament, closed, 2019: Closed for Centre Block rehabilitation

    secondaryhillnotes.ca
    Cite
    Library of Parliament, closed, 2019: Closed for Centre Block rehabilitation
Source: https://hillnotes.ca/2026/02/26/the-library-of-parliament-150-years-of-history/
Evidence tier: secondary
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/ottawa/#e-11t2le3
    Dispute#

Photographs

Main reading room, Library of Parliament, Ottawa
Main reading room, Library of Parliament, Ottawa. Concierge.2C, CC BY-SA 3.0
Use this photo
Main reading room, Library of Parliament, Ottawa. Photo: Concierge.2C, CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/), via Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ottawa_-_Parliament_Hill_-_Biblioth%C3%A8que_-_Int%C3%A9rieur_01.jpg
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Statue of Queen Victoria, Library of Parliament, Ottawa
Statue of Queen Victoria, Library of Parliament, Ottawa. Tony Webster, CC BY-SA 4.0
Use this photo
Statue of Queen Victoria, Library of Parliament, Ottawa. Photo: Tony Webster, CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/), via Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Library_of_Parliament_Ottawa_Canada_6D2B5588.jpg
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Dome ceiling of the Library of Parliament, Ottawa
Dome ceiling of the Library of Parliament, Ottawa. Tony Webster from Portland, Oregon, United States, CC BY 2.0
Use this photo
Dome ceiling of the Library of Parliament, Ottawa. Photo: Tony Webster from Portland, Oregon, United States, CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/), via Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Library_of_Parliament_-_Ceiling_(14580167687).jpg
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Library of Parliament and Centre Block, Ottawa
Library of Parliament and Centre Block, Ottawa. DXR, CC BY-SA 4.0
Use this photo
Library of Parliament and Centre Block, Ottawa. Photo: DXR, CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/), via Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Centre_Block_and_Library_of_Parliament,_Ottawa,_West_view_20170422_1.jpg
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Library of Parliament rotunda, Ottawa
Library of Parliament rotunda, Ottawa. Vanessa Sabino, CC BY 3.0
Use this photo
Library of Parliament rotunda, Ottawa. Photo: Vanessa Sabino, CC BY 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/), via Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Library_of_Parliament_(49119844).jpg
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Library of Parliament, Ottawa
Library of Parliament, Ottawa. Wladyslaw (talk), CC BY-SA 3.0
Use this photo
Library of Parliament, Ottawa. Photo: Wladyslaw (talk), CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/), via Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ottawa_-_ON_-_Library_of_Parliament.jpg
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