| Library Name: | Saint John Free Public Library |
| Type: | Public Library in Saint John |
| Established: | 1883 |
| Num Branches: | 3 |
| Items Collected: | business directories, phone books, maps, government publications, books, periodicals, genealogy, local history, |
| Website: | Saint John Free Public Library |
The Saint John Free Public Library incorporated in 1883, was the first tax-supported public library in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada, hence the inclusion of "Free" in the title.
The Saint John Free Public Library consists of three branches, the central branch in the Market Square complex, East Branch in the Saint John Transit Building, and West Branch in Lancaster Mall. All of these libraries are under the Fundy Library Region, which is headquartered in Market Square.
St. John Mechanics' Institute was one of a series of Mechanic's Institutes that were set up around the world after being popularized in Britain. It housed a subscription library that allowed members who paid a fee to borrow books. The Mechanic's Institutes libraries eventually became public libraries after the establishment of free libraries.[1]
1811: New Brunswick's very first library opened in Saint John in 1811 operated on a subscription basis with a fee being charged for the use of the collections.
1874: Plans for a free public library in Saint John were initiated by the President of the Mechanics’ Institute.
1877: Great Saint John Fire delayed plans for library.
1879: Colonel James Domville, member of council was actively involved in the procurement of a book collection for the use of the public library and to replace the collection destroyed by the fire.
1883: First tax supported public library in Canada, the Saint John Free Public Library opened in the City Market on Charlotte Street.
1885: The library moved to the Masonic Temple building on Germain Street where it remained for 19 years.
1904: Thanks to a $50,000 donation from the American philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, a new library building opened on Hazen Avenue.
1912: The card catalogue first started being used.
1915: Story hours for children were inaugurated.
1967: West Branch opened in Lancaster Mall.
1968: East Branch opened in the Loch Lomond Mall.
1975: East Branch relocated to Westmorland Place.
1983: The library moved into new quarters in the Market Square harbour front complex.
1998: Automated circulation services was introduced.
2000: The Millennium Artplace was opened in the library lobby.