Public Works and Government Services Canada
Symbol of the Government of Canada

Construction, 1859-1916

The Library

The library and registrar's records rooms were to be built of "fire-proof" materials. The librarian himself, Alpheus Todd, had very firm ideas about how his building should be designed, right down to the number and height of the bookshelves. He insisted that the library be almost a separate building, attached to the Centre Block by a corridor which could be sealed off by heavy iron doors.