D. Carnegie Public Library/ Carnegie Centre

Category: Sites from the 'Labour, Work and Working People' booklet

This building was constructed as a library in 1902.. Its name comes from the steel magnate Andrew Carnegie who donated money to establish this and other public libraries across North America. A significant protest occurred at this site in April 1935 when relief camp workers occupied the museum on the top floor for 8 hours. They accepted the city's offer of 6 days worth of food vouchers in return for a peaceful evacuation of the building. The Downtown Eastside Residents' Association (DERA) successfully lobbied the government to convert the building into a city-run community centre after the main library moved to a new location. DERA eventually convinced the government that the community should have access to and use of the building. The Carnegie Centre has offered childcare, library services, drug and alcohol counseling, education upgrading, and nutritious meals to community residents since 1980.