Library of Parliament Interior
The Library of Parliament is the only section of the original Parliament
Buildings that survived the fire of 1916. Its structure is a unique adaptation
of the medieval "chapter house" form.
The Library of Parliament was built between 1859 and 1876, from plans
drawn up by architectural partners Thomas Fuller and Chilion Jones. It
is the best example of Thomas Fuller's work, a highly distinguished Canadian
architect.
The Library of Parliament serves the information, research and documentation
needs of Parliament. Its collection covers hundreds of years of history.
Its staff answers today's questions and anticipates tomorrow's information
needs while working in the oldest part of Centre Block -the only part
that survived the fire of 1916.
The Library of Parliament was built from 1860 to 1876, at the same time
as Canada as a country was beginning to take shape. Alpheus Todd, the
first Librarian of Parliament, had a significant influence in the development
of the collection and its role as well as on the architects Thomas Fuller
and Chilion Jones in the building's design. His important contributions
included the Library's shape, several fire-safety measures and many other
functional aspects of the Library.
Alpheus Todd's forethought played a big part in saving the Library from
the 1916 fire that ravaged the original Centre Block. That night the iron
doors to the Library were closed. This, combined with the narrow corridor
separating the Library from Centre Block, the wind and the efforts of
fire fighters saved this one link to Centre Block's origins.
The interior of the Library, like the first Centre Block, is made primarily
of pine, richly and fantastically carved. From the tiny detail of each
finely crafted flower to the soaring height of the dome, the Library of
Parliament is a joyous celebration of colour, texture and function. While
the Library is an architectural marvel, the wealth of its treasures lies
also behind the spines of its books, in the stores of its computers and
in the people who work here.
With over 600,000 items and 300 people, the Library serves the information,
research and documentation needs of Parliament. Its collection covers
hundreds of years of history and provides the resources for today's most
pressing issues. The collection and its role have evolved through years
of progress and peril.
|