Historic Sites of Manitoba: St. John’s Library (500 Salter Street, Winnipeg)

This one-storey brick library at the corner of Salter Street and Machray Avenue in Winnipeg, designed by local architect John Nelson Semmens, was constructed in 1914 with funds provided by industrialist Andrew Carnegie. In May 1915, it opened to the public. In 2015, it received an MHS Centennial Organization Award. After a period of closure for repairs and renovations, the library reopened on 5 July 2019. The work included a new accessible entrance, complete redesign of spaces with adult, children's and teen areas on the main floor, computer area, study and leisure spaces, a bright and open reading area, two tutorial rooms, a small and large program room, and updated furnishings. It is a municipally-designated historic building and, in 2020, it received a Conservation Award from Heritage Winnipeg.

St. John's Library

St. John’s Library (September 2015)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough

St. John’s Library after renovation

St. John’s Library after renovation (July 2019)
Source: Rose Kuzina

Site Coordinates (lat/long): N49.92555, W97.13315
denoted by symbol on the map above

See also:

Memorable Manitobans: John Nelson Semmens (1879-1960)

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Cornish Library (20 West Gate, Winnipeg)

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Carnegie Library / City of Winnipeg Archives (380 William Avenue, Winnipeg)

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Municipally Designated Historic Sites

Sources:

Winnipeg Public Library - St. John's Branch (500 Salter Street), City of Winnipeg Historical Buildings and Resources Committee, March 2010.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough and Rose Kuzina.

Page revised: 16 July 2022

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