Libraries

The first public library in Canada was the Quebec library,

founded in 1779 largely through the efforts of Haldimand. After many

vicissitudes, the library was absorbed by the Literary and Historical

Society of Quebec. The first college library was that of the Seminary at

Quebec, 1668; Montreal College library was opened in 1767; and King's

College library in 1790. Legislative libraries were established in each

of the pr vinces at an early date. In 1841 the libraries of Upper and

Lower Canada were combined, and from this year dates the establishment

of the library of Parliament. The first circulating library in Upper

Canada was founded at Niagara in 1800. Similar libraries existed in

Montreal as early as 1824, and at Kingston in 1836; the Red River

library was founded at Fort Garry in 1847. =Index=: (Sir Frederick Haldimand era) First in Canada

established by Haldimand, 190; merged in 1869 into Literary and

Historical Society of Quebec, 190; objects and cost of, 191;

appreciation of, 191. (Egerton Ryerson era) Public school libraries established by Dr.

Ryerson, for use by the community, 185-187. (Mackenzie / Selkirk / Simpson era) One established by

Roderick Mackenzie at Fort Chipewyan, 26. (Baldwin / La Fontaine / Hincks era) W. L. Mackenzie maintains

a circulating library, 13. (Lord Elgin era) Provided for in Upper Canada after 1841,

88. (John Graves Simcoe era) For Upper Canada, Simcoe recommends government to establish, 46;

plan not adopted, 175. See also Books. =Bib.=: Bain, Public Libraries

of Canada in Canada: An Ency., vol. 5.