more houses of learning

two quite different styles of libraries from the early 1900s

first impression

Built in 1912, now known as the William Oxley Thompson Memorial Library and has been renovated three times, most recently in 2009.  Presumably the name is generally shortened to something like the 'Thompson Library'?  Maybe Finnbadger knows this place?  In this view, it looks almost like a fortress.

free public libraries

 A Tudor Revival style Carnegie library built in 1904

A Classical Revival style Carnegie library built in 1906. It was praised by the local newspaper for its "tasteful simplicity"

Most Carnegie Libraries have a distinct style with variations, making them immediately identifiable in any small town. Philanthropist Andrew Carnegie would give grants to build a library to almost any town that requested and agreed to conditions.

Vancouver had a Carnegie library but after a couple of moves for newer and bigger locations, in 1995, a Roman Revival* library was built to resemble the current day Colosseum.

*not a real term, I made it up

some free public buildings for Thursday Postcard Hunt

library

The Library of Parliament has more than 17 linear kilometres of materials in its collections including books, periodicals, government documents, CD-ROMs, videos.

The Library of Parliament offers information, research and research services to parliamentarians and their staff, parliamentary committees, associations and delegations, and senior Senate and House of Commons officials.

sumptuous library

I'm not sure I could concentrate on any research in such exquisite surroundings.
Inside the National Library of Finland.
Built in 1840-45, designed by architect C.L. Engel
the library's roots trace back to 1640 when it was in Turku