Smiths Falls Public Library

Many Ontario towns can point to a library built with money from Andrew Carnegie, the Scottish-American steel magnate who funded more than 2,500 libraries worldwide in the early 20th century, but few have kept their building in such regular use as Smiths Falls. The Smiths Falls Public Library stands at 81 Beckwith Street North in the town centre and was built in 1903 and 1904. Carnegie's grants came with a condition: the town had to provide the site and commit to supporting the library from its taxes, a requirement meant to keep the institution alive long after the donation. Smiths Falls accepted, and the library opened in 1904.

The building is a modest but graceful example of the Carnegie style, which favoured simple, dignified architecture, a clear entrance and plenty of daylight for readers. Its brick walls, large windows and symmetrical entrance reflect the civic pride of a railway and canal town that was growing quickly at the start of the century. Visitors who step inside find that the original character survives in the high ceilings and the layout of the main reading areas, even though modern shelving, computers and children's spaces have been added over the decades.

A particular curiosity is a photograph of Carnegie that hangs on the wall, signed by him. It was rediscovered in the early 2000s, restored and put on display, and it ties the building to its benefactor. For a small town library, it is an unexpectedly direct link to a figure who shaped public reading in North America.

The library is a working community hub rather than a museum. Residents come to borrow books, use the internet, attend programmes and meet friends. Visitors are welcome to look around, and the staff are glad to point out the historic features. Check the opening hours, which change by day and season, before you go. Admission is free.

The library sits within a short walk of the Rideau Canal locks, the Rideau Canal Heritage Trail and the Smiths Falls Museum, so it fits easily into a stroll through town. It is a good stop for readers, for architecture fans interested in Carnegie libraries, and for anyone who wants a short, quiet look at the town's civic history before heading out to the canal.