Montreal Children's Library / Bibliothéque des jeunes de Montreal
[[File:|thumb|The Montreal Children's Library logo]]
TypePublic Library in Montreal, Quebec
Established1929
Branches3
Collection
Items collectedbooks, music, cds, periodicals, maps
Size40,000-item
Other information
DirectorHelen Kyne
WebsiteMontreal Children's Library Website web site

Children's Library

edit

The Montreal Children's Library / Bibliothéque des jeunes de Montreal is a public library and nonprofit organization in Montreal, Quebec.


History

edit

Montreal Children's Library / Bibliothéque des jeunes de Montreal was founded in 1929. It was the first free children's library for both English and French-speaking children in Montreal. The initiator of the Montreal movement for a children’s library was Elizabeth Murray, who came from a family with a long tradition of public service and the belief that every child should have the same opportunity to grow up with books, that she herself had enjoyed. When she discovered that the librarian of the Fraser Institute, M. de Crèvecoeur, had set apart a section for children’s reading but lacked the funds to purchase books for it, Miss Murray got in contact with the Local Council (later the Montreal Council of Women), which had formed a committee to inquire into the possibility of establishing a children’s library, under the chairmanship of Maysie McSporran. The committee obtained $3000 in a fund raising campaign, and in October 1929 the room in the Fraser Institute was opened for all girls and boys between the ages of three and sixteen. During its first month of operation, under librarian Violet McEwen, membership grew to 208 children.[1]


Today, the Montreal Children's Library / Bibliothéque des jeunes de Montreal has over 4000 members and circulates almost 30,000 items a year.


Activities

edit

The Montreal Children's Library offers a variety of activities at each of its three branches, including parent-child story time, craft-making, reading circles and group activities such as a chess club.[2]


The library's programs and activities are all free and are targeted at children ranging from 0-10 years of age.


In addition to its various in-house activities, the Montreal Children's Library engages in a wide range of outreach projects.


Branches

edit

The Montreal Children's Library is composed of three branches.


  • Atwater Branch - 1200 Atwater Avenue
     
    Inside the Atwater Branch.


-Head Librarian: Elizabeth Macdonnell


  • Richmond Square Branch - 870 Richmond Square
     
    Inside the Richmond Square Branch.


-Head Librarian: Candace Madden


  • Jean-Rivard Branch - 4121 42nd
     
    Inside the Jean Rivard Branch.


-Head Librarian: Diane Sollazzo


References

edit
  1. ^ "Montreal Children's Library: history". Montreal Children's Library. 2012. Retrieved 15 August 2012. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help); Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  2. ^ "Montreal Children's Library: services". Montreal Children's Library. 2012. Retrieved 15 August 2012. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help); Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)


edit

Category:Buildings and structures in Westmount, Quebec Category:Libraries in Quebec Category:1929 establishments Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1920

45°29′19.17″N 73°35′3.41″W / 45.4886583°N 73.5842806°W / 45.4886583; -73.5842806

See Also

edit