In the heart of downtown Saskatoon, the Frances Morrison Central Library has long been a space for stories, the ones we read, the ones we tell, and the ones we create together.
For decades, it’s been a familiar fixture on 23rd Street East, a place where students study, families gather, and ideas take root. But as Saskatoon grows, so does its library. The story of the Saskatoon Public Library (SPL) is turning an exciting new page, one that reimagines what a library can be for a modern, vibrant city.
“We’re really happy to be downtown,” says Carol Shepstone, Director of Libraries. “The library is for everyone, a place that connects neighbourhoods and brings people together.”
A Foundation Built on Connection
With nine branches across Saskatoon, SPL has always been about accessibility, ensuring that everyone in the city has access to knowledge, creativity, and community. But the Frances Morrison Central Library holds a special role. As the heart of the SPL system, it serves as the hub for innovation, programming, and city-wide connection.
Walk through its doors and you’ll find more than books, you’ll find gathering spaces, art displays, study nooks, and a welcoming downtown atmosphere that reflects Saskatoon’s collaborative spirit.
The New Central Library: Big-City Vision, Local Heart
The next chapter for the downtown central library is taking shape, opening in 2027, located in the heart of Downtown Saskatoon, at the corner of 321 2nd Ave N, will redefine how our city experiences learning
Spanning more than 120,000 square feet across four levels, the new library is designed to be a bold, world-class space, one that rivals libraries in major cities, while staying rooted in Saskatoon’s warmth and inclusivity.
Inside, visitors can expect bright, open gathering areas, a 200-seat performance hall, innovation labs, recording studios, expanded gallery spaces, and dedicated play zones for children of all ages. There will be multi-purpose rooms for workshops and community events, quiet reading lounges, and even a café and outdoor plaza that spill into the downtown streetscape.
Every detail has been considered, from barrier-free design and universal accessibility to sustainable materials and natural light that make the space feel both inspiring and grounded. The architecture draws inspiration from local culture and landscape, incorporating design elements that reflect the spirit of the Prairies and the city’s Indigenous heritage.
A Downtown Anchor for Creativity and Connection
The new Central Library will do more than expand SPL’s services, it will strengthen the fabric of downtown. With its plaza, event spaces, and creative studios, it’s designed to bring people downtown to learn, connect, and collaborate. It’s a place where innovation meets inclusion and where every visitor, no matter their background, feels welcome to explore and grow.
For now, the Frances Morrison Library remains open and as inviting as ever, continuing to offer the programs, resources, and quiet moments that make it such a beloved part of the community. But as the city looks ahead, this evolution signals something bigger: a downtown that’s not just home to great businesses and events, but also to spaces that spark ideas, relationships, and change.
So next time you’re walking downtown, stop by 23rd Street East. Take a moment to imagine what’s next, a Saskatoon where the library isn’t just a building, but a reflection of who we’re becoming as a city.
