On Sparks Street, in the former main Ottawa branch of the Bank Of Nova Scotia, the building hosts an annex of the Library Of Parliament, which is routinely open for Doors Open. The building is in the Beaux-Arts style, and incorporates Canadian themes and symbols in its architecture. It was taken on by the government years ago, renovated, with the space inside a mix of the original architecture and modern archive infrastructure. The Library serves Parliamentarians and their staff, so while it's a block south of the Hill, it fulfills an important purpose for Parliament to run smoothly. This is the only general access that the public get to the building. During this visit, I went into two rooms- the former office of the bank manager, now a comfortable space, and the main interior, where staff were on hand to answer questions. I like the contrast between the architecture and the shelving infrastructure.
My favourite photos are your second and last ones, William!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fab building. They've closed so many local libraries here - it's such a shame.
ReplyDeleteI like the Doors Open idea.
ReplyDeleteMB
A great place. I like the picture on the wall in the 2nd pic.
ReplyDeleteI am fond of libraries and to see different ones.
ReplyDeletean attractive building. My favorite photo is the second one, the picture looks great hanging on the wall.
ReplyDeleteExcelente trabalho e belas fotografias.
ReplyDeleteUm abraço e bom fim de semana.
Andarilhar
Gosh that's a hugely impressive entrance William, it's a sturdy building for sure! Lots of interesting details here.
ReplyDeleteawesome pics!! you had me at library. so fun!! i wish i could read all day long, every day, 24/7 ... but i think the hubby would have something to say about it. it is already getting in the way. but i could be doing worse stuff ... drinking and other silliness. ( :
ReplyDelete@Linda: thanks!
ReplyDelete@Barbara: we have many in our public system.
@MB: it is a wonderful idea.
@Nancy: that hanging really caught my eye.
@Marianne: this is certainly a different kind of library.
@Bill: it does!
@Francisco: thanks!
@Grace: they built these places to last.
@Beth: thanks!
Libraries are such great spaces. They should be a theme day theme one month!
ReplyDeleteThis is a good one.
Janis
GDP
The Doors Open idea is so good, and libraries are great places !
ReplyDeleteI like the second photo best!
ReplyDeleteI like those details around the door and in the last photo.
ReplyDeleteIt's not often that the original ambience can be kept.
ReplyDelete@Janis: there actually is a theme day coming up in the fall, I believe, either September or October, for libraries!
ReplyDelete@Karl: they certainly are.
@Norma: I figured people would like it.
@Sharon: when they built banks in those days, they built them to impress.
@Red: certainly not.
If you travel out this way, you would love the Italian restaurant, Il Postino, as I recall. It's in an old post office! The basement bathrooms are amazing!
ReplyDelete(ツ) from Cottage Country Ontario , ON, Canada!
I like the carvings on the stone!
ReplyDeleteNice to see the light coming through the roof.
ReplyDeleteI like everything about this building - the architecture and interior! It's just beautiful.
ReplyDeletereally nice. like the building details you shared.
ReplyDeleteGreat looking place, and interesting to walk around. The lion is a lovely welcome into the building.
ReplyDelete@Jennifer: that sounds like a good setting for such a restaurant!
ReplyDelete@RedPat: I do as well.
@Marleen: it is, yes.
@Lowell: it certainly is.
@Tex: thank you!
@Denise: that was good craftsmanship by the carvers.
Did you notice the concertina accordion? :-)
ReplyDeleteI enjoy libraries, and the smell of books. nice building.
ReplyDeleteA really cool old building. I love your header, William!
ReplyDeleteI love the look of the place. My kind of library (I have a weakness for reference materials).
ReplyDeleteAnd you have a summery new header. Looks good!
Wow, that is quite a building. Even the modern works in the old bones of the building.
ReplyDeleteI love libraries! This one is eye candy all the way!
ReplyDeleteI love also libraries, the silence and the scent of books.
ReplyDeleteThese photos are nice.
By the way, your new header looks very lovely.
Fun bookends there. I like those.
ReplyDelete@Revrunner: a couple of things in there look like that!
ReplyDelete@Janey: that it is.
@Cloudia: thank you.
@Kay: thanks!
@Mari: it does.
@Linda: definitely.
@Orvokki: thanks!
@Whisk: so do I.