Regina Public Library - Central Branch (Regina)

Canada / Saskatchewan / Regina
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On October 15, 1907, a petition for a free public library was presented to City Council and the following year a bylaw was passed. The first Library Board was appointed with Rev. Canon G. C. Hill as chairman. Other board members were Alderman T. Wilkinson, J. F. L. Embury, A. M. Fenwick, S. C. Burton, John McCarthy and Mayor J.W. Smith, ex-officio. The board appointed J. R. C. Honeyman as the first Chief Librarian and Secretary-Treasurer. Regina Public Library opened to the public in January 1909 on the second floor of the City Hall building at 1761 Scarth Street.

Plans began for a new building in 1910 as a result of a $50,000 grant from Andrew Carnegie. The architectural firm Storey and Van Egmond designed the new building at 1900 Lorne Street. Lieutenant Governor George W. Brown opened the new library on May 11, 1912. The first borrower’s card was issued to Mr. Arthur Fenwick, Assistant Principal of the Normal School. The tornado on June 30, 1912 did extensive damage to the new building. Mr. Carnegie again gave generously for the restoration of the building.

The first branch libraries, Albert Branch and Eastern Branch, opened in 1913.
A new Albert branch, opened in 1927, and Connaught branch, 1931, were both designed by Joseph Warburton and designated as municipal heritage properties in 1984.

The original Carnegie library was demolished and replaced by a new Central Library in 1962. Stonework from the original library can be found at the entrance to the new building including the library crest, a torch and open book inscribed with the motto “Qui Legit Regit” (He who reads, rules).
www.reginalibrary.ca
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Coordinates:   50°26'54"N   104°36'51"W
This article was last modified 15 years ago