The Library of Parliament or Legislative Library serves legislators for their research and information analysis needs. It is placed in various parliamentary buildings in Ottawa. Opened in 1876, its historic seat is located at the back of the Center Block on Parliament Hill; a vestige of what has remained since the last fire of 1916. It was designed by architects Thomas Fuller and Chilion Jones on a hexadecagonal plan (16 faces) with galleries and fire doors and the corridor that separates it from the rest of the building. Between 2002 and 2006 it was completely renovated and modernized with the addition of two basements, telecommunications equipment and reconfiguration of the reading room. It has elements typical of Neo-Gothic architecture. Its walls are in blocks of sandstone, there are flying buttresses, pointed ogive windows, turrets, bell-towers and its roof is made of copper with three levels and forms a vault above the reading room. The interior of the reading room itself as well as the exterior appearance of the building that covers it have characteristics of the Victorian era. The galleries are in pine carved with floral motifs, coats of arms, masks and mythological creatures. The actual floor (reproducing the original), is in parquetry of cherry, oak and walnut. There is a statue of Queen Victoria in white marble and marble busts of the Prince of Wales (Albert Edward), Princess of Wales (Alexandra of Denmark), Sir John Sandfield Macdonald and Sir Etienne Paschal Taché.
Tips
If you wish to consult general public information materials, ask for information before you go.
If you are taking the guided tour of Parliament, you will have the opportunity to also visit the library.
