Belleville Public Library

The Belleville Public Library and John M. Parrott Art Gallery has its origins in a Mechanics' Institute operated from 1851 to 1859. Municipal Library service in Belleville officially began in November 1876 with the establishment of the "Mechanics' Institute and Library Association". The name was changed in 1895 to the Belleville Public Library, in accordance with the new provincial Act Respecting Public Libraries.

In 1903, the City passed the first by-law for the operation of the Belleville Public Library, for that year. New by-laws were passed each year thereafter until 1908 when the by-law establishing on-going library operations was passed. Senator and Mrs. Henry Corby purchased the Merchants Bank of Canada property, remodeled it to serve as a library, and presented it to the City in 1908 "...for the use of the citizens of the City of Belleville for their sole and only use forever as a free public library."

A branch in the east-end of Belleville located at the corner of Farley Street and Victoria Avenue (known as the East Branch Library) operated from 1964 to 2002. The main branch Library building, with three additions constructed in 1959, 1968 and 1973, also known as the Corby Library was closed on April 27, 2006.

The new Library building, located on 254 Pinnacle Street, has been serving the public since May 27, 2006. The John M. Parrott Art Gallery is located on the third floor of the Belleville Public Library.