

The Barrie Public Library, a Carnegie building, opened in 1917, and was located at the corner of Collier and Mulcaster Streets. It is now the MacLaren Art Centre
The Barrie Public Library, a Carnegie building, opened in 1917, and was located at the corner of Collier and Mulcaster Streets. It is now the MacLaren Art Centre



Jayne Prichard (left) interviews (left to right) former MPP George Taylor, former Mayor Janice Laking and former MP Ed Harper in the Barrie Public Library.
Jayne Prichard (left) interviews (left to right) former MPP George Taylor, former Mayor Janice Laking and former MP Ed Harper in the Barrie Public Library.


Looking East down Worsley Street towards the Barrie Public Library. The library and its adjacent parking lot (foreground) were built on the H block, an H-shaped lot of homes that have since been demolished.
Looking East down Worsley Street towards the Barrie Public Library. The library and its adjacent parking lot (foreground) were built on the H block, an H-shaped lot of homes that have since been demolished.

Exterior of the Barrie Public Library on Collier Street. The Library would soon move to its new facilities built on the old H-Block on the corner of Worsley and Owen Streets, making room for the MacLaren Art Centre to move here.
Exterior of the Barrie Public Library on Collier Street. The Library would soon move to its new facilities built on the old H-Block on the corner of Worsley and Owen Streets, making room for the MacLaren Art Centre to move here.


Looking East at the corner of Clapperton and Worsley Streets at homes in the H-Block. The Barrie Public Library parking lot was built on this property.
Looking East at the corner of Clapperton and Worsley Streets at homes in the H-Block. The Barrie Public Library parking lot was built on this property.

Looking East at the corner of McDonald and Clapperton Streets at homes in the H-Block. The Barrie Public Library parking lot was built on this property.
Looking East at the corner of McDonald and Clapperton Streets at homes in the H-Block. The Barrie Public Library parking lot was built on this property.







The original library, a Carnegie building, still stands on the Southeast corner of Mulcaster Street and Collier Street. Today, this building has had an addition and houses the MacLaren Art Centre.
The original library, a Carnegie building, still stands on the Southeast corner of Mulcaster Street and Collier Street. Today, this building has had an addition and houses the MacLaren Art Centre.

Looking East to the corner of Owen Street and Worsley Street. St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church is nearly hidden by trees. The brick house on the left sits where the Barrie Public Library is located today.
Looking East to the corner of Owen Street and Worsley Street. St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church is nearly hidden by trees. The brick house on the left sits where the Barrie Public Library is located today.

Bayview Park, now Sam Cancilla Park, sits between the waterfront and the Bayshore Motor Hotel. Behind it, top left, the dark brick building with the arched windows is the former library, now MacLaren Art Centre. Behind the library is City Hall.