Lethbridge Public Library

Scope and Content: View of the back of the Public Library Building facing into Galt Gardens. The front of the building faces 3 Avenue South at 6 Street South.

History Biographical: The Public Library building was offically opened on 23 January 1922. Architects for the building were Whiddington and Fry, a Lethbridge firm, while the general contractors were Smith Brothers & Wilson. Funding for the building was provided by the Carnegie Foundation, a negotiation that was started in 1902 when Andrew Carnegie was first approached for support for a public library in Lethbridge. A wing on the east side of the original building was opened on 4 November 1951. When the current main branch of the Lethbridge Public Library opened at 810 5 Avenue South was opened on 5 April 1974, the building in Galt Gardens became vacant. An Southern Alberta Art Gallery Association was formed to lobby Lethbridge City Council for the establishment of an art gallery in the former library building. City Council agreed to the proposal, and the Southern Alberta Art Gallery (SAAG) opened its first exhibition in 1976. The SAAG continues to operate in the building at 601 3 Avenue South.

Scope and Content: View of the back of the Public Library Building facing into Galt Gardens. The front of the building faces 3 Avenue South at 6 Street South.