The library originally provided Windows 95 computers to use with some preloaded applications such as Office 2000 and WordPerfect.

It is also possible to obtain free downloadable e-books, Zinio magazines, audiobooks and MP3 music from the library.

The first definite step taken for founding a Free Public Library was that of the Ottawa women in the early part of 1895.

[3] They announced, just before the election of 1896, that the mansion of George Perley, a local lumber baron, was donated in his will as a home for the library.

Carnegie replied that he would offer $100,000 to the city to build the library if they provided a site and a pledge of $7,500 a year to maintain it.

Several of the Corinthian columns from the old Carnegie library survive in the Rockeries in Rockcliffe Park, a rock garden maintained by the National Capital Commission.

The library also has a large audio-visual collection including DVDs, CDs, and downloadable books and music.

Smaller collections offer a wide array of other languages, notably Chinese, Hindi, and Arabic.

Accordingly, there is pressure for Ottawa to have a great design and follow other Canadian cities such as Calgary and Halifax, who have erected new libraries in recent years.

[5] There was an offer to the City Council from a developer for a partnership to build in the still-mostly-empty Lebreton Flats.

The Archives includes a public reference room, exhibition gallery, conservation laboratory, and art vaults.

The central archives and library materiels center was included amongst other architecturally interesting and historically significant buildings in Doors Open Ottawa, held June 2 and 3, 2012.