Saint John Free Public Library

It housed a subscription library that allowed members who paid a fee to borrow books.

[1] 1811: New Brunswick's very first library opened in Saint John in 1811 operated on a subscription basis with a fee being charged for the use of the collections.

1874: Plans for a free public library in Saint John were initiated by the President of the Mechanics' Institute.

1885: The library moved to the Masonic Temple building on Germain Street where it remained for 19 years.

1904: Thanks to a $50,000 donation from the American philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, a new library building opened on Hazen Avenue.