Bibliothèque d’Ahuntsic

“Lost in a good book?” a voice startled me. I looked up from the novel I’d been engrossed in, right outside the Bibliothu00e8que d’Ahuntsic. An elderly gentleman, with a twinkle in his eye, smiled. “Don’t worry, happens to the best of us. Especially near this place.” He gestured towards the Bibliothu00e8que d’Ahuntsic. “A haven for bookworms, young and old.” The Bibliothu00e8que d’Ahuntsic is more than just a library. It’s a vibrant part of the Ahuntsic-Cartierville borough, nestled in the Albert-Dumouchel building on Rue Lajeunesse. This building itself has a story to tell. It’s named after Albert Dumouchel, a local artist who significantly shaped contemporary art in Quebec. He trained generations of artists at the Montreal Institute of Graphic Arts, leaving behind a legacy of over 2,000 works. The Bibliothu00e8que d’Ahuntsic even houses one of his engravings. In 1997, the building underwent renovations, and a stunning piece of art was commissioned. “Le spectacle de la curiositu00e9” by Roberto Pellegrinuzzi graces the hall of the Maison de la culture, a massive leaf composed of 70 framed photographs. The Bibliothu00e8que d’Ahuntsic isn’t stuck in the past, though. It’s constantly evolving to meet the community’s needs. They have classic programs like story time, but also offer unique services like discussion groups for newcomers. In 2016, they launched Biblio Mobile, a delivery service that brings books to seniors’ residences, schools, and daycares. And if you’re feeling sporty, since 2023, you can even borrow sports equipment! Skateboards, scooters, tennis sets – they’ve got it all. The Bibliothu00e8que d’Ahuntsic’s popularity is undeniable. In 2017, it had the highest number of loans in the entire Montreal network for the second year running, a staggering 693,773! More recently, in 2019, major renovations introduced a state-of-the-art automated return system. By its reopening in December 2020, this nine-bin “robot” became the largest in Montreal’s library network. So, next time you’re near the Bibliothu00e8que d’Ahuntsic, don’t just walk by. Step inside, explore its collection, and perhaps discover a new world within its pages. You might even find yourself “lost in a good book.”