Library of Parliament

The Library of Parliament is an information repository and research service for the Parliament of Canada, located at Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Canada. Access to facilities is generally restricted to those on Chamber business, but research publications produced are available to the public.__NOTOC__

History

Opened in 1876, the library is a High Victorian Gothic Revival style building, attached to the rear of the Centre Block at Parliament Hill. It also has many more facilities within a short radius in downtown Ottawa.

On February 3, 1916, a fire destroyed the Centre Block, but library clerk Michael MacCormac detected the fire and ordered the set of iron doors between the Library and the Centre Block slammed shut, sparing the library from damage.

The library was repaired after an attic fire in 1952, which caused extensive smoke and water damage, but the restoration was primarily structural. The Centre, East, and West Blocks received extensive climate control and electrical upgrades, but the library was largely overlooked. In 2002, major inside and outside renovations began, including conservation, rehabilitation, and upgrading of the library and its contents. After four years of work, the library was opened to the public, with tours of the library resuming, on June 5, 2006. [ [http://www.parliamenthill.gc.ca/text/cmplbr/intwrkdm-e.html Library of Paliament 2002-2006 Renovations] ] The reading room of the library is considered by some to be the most beautiful room in Canada.Fact|date=July 2008

An image of the Library of Parliament is featured on the obverse of the Canadian ten-dollar bill.

ee also

* Library of Congress, Congressional Research Service (USA)
* House of Commons Library (UK)
* House of Lords Library (UK)

References

External links

* [http://www.parl.gc.ca/Publications/LOP-e.asp Publications of the Library of Parliament]
* [http://www.parl.gc.ca/common/index.asp?Language=E Parliament of Canada]
* The geolinks-Canada-streetscale|45.425466|-75.700296