Library of Parliament
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Library of Parliament is an information repository and research service for the Parliament of Canada located in Ottawa, Canada. Access to facilities is generally restricted to those on Chamber business; yet research publications produced are available to the public.
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[edit] History
It is a High Victorian Gothic Revival style building, attached to the rear of the Centre Block at Parliament Hill, was opened in 1876. On February 3, 1916 fire destroyed the Centre Block but thanks to the vigilance of library clerk Michael MacCormac the library was spared. He detected the fire and ordered a set of iron doors between the Library and the Centre Block slammed shut. The Library also has many more facilities within a short radius in downtown Ottawa.
The Library was repaired after the 1952 attic fire 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, a conservation, rehabilitation and upgrade project began. After four years of work, guided public tours of the Library of Parliament resumed on June 5, 2006.
An image of the Library of Parliament is featured on the obverse of the Canadian ten-dollar bill.
In spring of 2006, major inside and outside renovations of the Library of Parliament were completed.[1] The renovations, which began in 2002, are the first ones since repairs were made in 1952-1956 after a small fire in the dome attic. The reading room of the library is once again open to the public and is considered, by some, to be the most beautiful room in Canada.
[edit] References
[edit] See also
- Library of Congress, Congressional Research Service (USA)
- House of Commons Library (UK)
- House of Lords Library (UK)
[edit] External links
- Library of Parliament is at coordinates Coordinates:
