Ontario

A large historic building with arched windows and columns stands on a snowy street. Leafless trees line the sidewalk, and blue banners hang from the facade. Snow covers the ground and parts of the building.

Former Toronto Reference Library

When it opened in 1908, the Central Reference Library was among Toronto's first purpose-built library buildings.
A red sports car is parked in front of a symmetrical brick building with columns and arched architectural details on a cloudy day. The street and surrounding area are quiet.

Former Preston Carnegie Library, Cambridge ON

Now a private property, this former library is a fine example of rural Carnegie libraries of the early 20th century.
Exterior of a modernist brick library.

Lakehead University Library

On an eclectic northern campus, this library was built for growth.
Exterior of a brick modernist library, a symmetrical rectangular building with a bay of concrete-framed windows to the centre.

University of Windsor Leddy Library

At the foot of the Ambassador Bridge to Detroit, the modernist Leddy Library marks the University of Windsor's shift from its roots as a Jesuit college to a public university.
Interior of a brutalist library atrium, with cascading terraces lined with planters, in which lush green interior plants grow. Students are working at cubicles. Boxy staircases lead from one level to another. A person stands on top of the topmost staircase and looks at the atrium below.

Scott Library, York University, Toronto

Built on a field and filled with rare books bought by the truckload, the quick rise of the Scott library is emblematic of the 1960-70s higher education boom.
Hamilton Central Library

Hamilton Central Library

Browse for books and fresh vegetables at the Hamilton Central Library, where a recent renovation reconnected the library with the farmers market that occupies the same building.