Saskatoon Public Library facts for kids

The Saskatoon Public Library is a library system in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. It is funded by the public, meaning everyone can use it. Library cards are free for all people living in Saskatoon. The Saskatoon Public Library first opened its doors in 1913.

Library Branches

The Saskatoon Public Library has nine different locations, called branches, spread across Saskatoon.

Frances Morrison Library

The Frances Morrison Central Library is in downtown Saskatoon. You can find it at 311 – 23rd Street East. It opened on May 28, 1966. This library is named after Frances Morrison. She was the main librarian for the system from 1961 to 1980. It is the biggest library in the system. It has special areas for kids, a fine arts section, and a local history room. There is also a theatre and computer lab.

Alice Turner Library

The Alice Turner Branch is located at 110 Nelson Road. This building replaced an older, smaller library in December 1998. It was named after Alice Turner McFarland. She worked at the library for 37 years. She was also the chief librarian from 1981 to 1989. This library was the first in Canada built to special environmental standards. It was made twice as big in 2013.

Carlyle King Library

The Carlyle King Branch is at 3130 Laurier Drive. It opened on October 16, 1979. This library is inside the Cosmo Civic Centre. It was the first library branch in Saskatoon to be part of a larger community building. The branch is named after Carlyle King. He was a respected academic. He also helped guide the Saskatoon Public Library Board for many years.

Cliff Wright Library

The Cliff Wright Branch is located at 1635 McKercher Drive. This library moved when the Lakewood Civic Centre opened in October 1988. It officially opened on January 9, 1989. It was renamed after Cliff Wright on March 30, 1989. He used to be the mayor of Saskatoon.

J.S. Wood Library

The J.S. Wood Branch is at 1801 Landsdowne Ave. It opened in 1961. This branch is named after James Stuart Wood. He was born in England in 1891. He worked as a college librarian. He later became the Chief Librarian at the Saskatoon Public Library in 1938.

Dr. Freda Ahenakew Library

The Dr. Freda Ahenakew Library building.

The Dr. Freda Ahenakew Library is in the Station 20 West complex. It was first known as the Library on 20th Street. In December 2016, the library announced a new name. It would honor Dr. Freda Ahenakew. She was a Cree scholar. She worked hard to save and teach Indigenous languages.

The renaming happened after talking with local Indigenous leaders. It was part of the library's promise. This promise was to recognize Indigenous history and contributions. A special ceremony was held on February 10, 2017. Community members, library staff, and Dr. Ahenakew’s family attended. Her work in Cree language is very important. The library's new name celebrates her lasting impact.

Mayfair Library

The Mayfair Library exterior.

The Mayfair Library entrance.

The Mayfair Branch is at 602 – 33rd Street West. The first Mayfair Library opened in 1952. It was in the basement of the Mayfair Community Hall. By 1989, the building was not good for a library anymore. The basement location also made it hard for some people to access. The Mayfair Branch reopened in 1991. It was built on the same spot.

Rusty Macdonald Library

The Rusty Macdonald Branch is at 225 Primrose Drive. It opened in 1989. This library is part of the Lawson Civic Centre. This centre also has a wave pool and exercise rooms. It is named after R. H. "Rusty" Macdonald. He was a journalist, author, and photographer. He was also a dedicated library trustee for many years.

Round Prairie Library

The Round Prairie Branch is at 170 – 250 Hunter Road. This branch is named to honor the La Prairie Round Métis. They were a community of buffalo hunters. They had a winter camp near Dakota Whitecap in the late 1800s. Many of them moved to Saskatoon in the 1920s and 1930s. They were looking for work. By the 1940s, they had a strong community. This community was near where the new library branch is now.

New Central Library Building

Construction site of the new central library.

The Saskatoon Public Library started building its new central library in 2024. This is a big step. It will help more people get modern library services. The new library is at 321 2nd Avenue North. It is designed to help Saskatoon's growing community. It will be a modern place for learning and creativity. The library is expected to open in 2027.

The building will be very large, about 120,000 square feet. Its design is inspired by Indigenous cultures. The outside looks like a Plains First Nations tipi. The inside looks like a Métis log cabin. The building is also designed to be good for the environment. It aims for a special green building certification. It also aims for easy access for everyone.

The project costs about $134 million. It is paid for by city money and community donations. Some design changes were made to fit the budget. But construction is on track.

Writers in Residence Program

The Writer in Residence program at the library helps writers. It is partly funded by the Canada Council for the Arts. This program allows a writer to work at the library. They can also help and teach other people.