Living

The 15 Coolest Libraries In Canada

From the traditional to the avant-garde, book-lending buildings showcase some of the country’s most spectacular architecture.

The Globe and Mail’s architecture critic, Alex Bozikovic, recently wrote that Canada’s “libraries are the locus of creative architecture in Canada.” Even a cursory scan of the nation’s book repositories proves him right. From coast to coast, our libraries are a showcase of innovative design. Some are rich in history. Many are just plain cool, with swooping shapes, sumptuous materials and unexpected spaces (games rooms, yoga lounges, even a virtual reality station). Here are the country’s 15 most captivating places to browse for books.

Originally Published January 2017; Updated February 2018.

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