Brussels Library

Located on the main street of Brussels, the Carnegie Library's use of Ionic pillars, bracketing, tight rows of deep windows and brick creates a harmonious relationship with the surrounding buildings. The monumental sense of the main entrance contributes to the formal feel of the area, while the overall scale of the building helps to maintain a visual continuity along the main street.

The Carnegie Library is significant for its association with Andrew Carnegie, an American industrialist and philanthropist. Carnegie had a life-long interest in the establishment of free libraries as a means to self education, and provided funds for a total of 2,509 libraries, 125 of which were in Canada. In 1909, upon request by officials of the Village of Brussels, Mr. Carnegie donated $7,000 towards the creation of a building that would house the Brussels Public Library. The gift had an air of celebrity attached to it because Brussels was one of the smallest municipalities to receive it. Of the numerous Carnegie libraries built throughout Ontario, there are only six with corner entrances, Brussels being one of them.

The Carnegie Library is representative of the Carnegie Library design. W. J. Ireland designed the library in the Neo-classical style typical of Carnegie's libraries. Neoclassical elements include the hip roof with a large corner entrance and portico supported by cement Ionic columns. A decorated pediment above the portico completes and greatly enhances the Neo-classical style.