In the early 1890’s, Scottish-American steel magnate and self-made millionaire Andrew Carnegie had written that the best gift to a community was a free, or “public” library. Books and libraries were very important to Andrew Carnegie, even as early as childhood. In order to obtain a Carnegie grant, the Town of Oshawa had to purchase a site upon which to build a library and show future sustainability for the library. In 1906, a site on the corner of Simcoe and Athol Streets was purchased from Dr. Coburn for the sum of $1,500.00. Oshawa did receive a Carnegie grant in the amount of $12,000.00 for the new building, the amount based on $2 per citizen. This grant money was dispersed as the project moved forward.

The first public library building in Oshawa opened its doors in 1909 at 44 Simcoe Street South. Above the entrance, “Oshawa Public Library” was boldly etched into the stonework. This library was intended to serve a population of 5,550 to 10,000.

By 1946, it was providing library materials and services to a population exceeding 29,000, with more than 30,000 books, and an annual circulation of 143,463 volumes.