Did you know that the Westmount Public Library is not just a repository of books? It’s a landmark brimming with history. We stand here at 4574 Sherbrooke Street West in Westmount. The Westmount Public Library is one of Canada’s oldest library buildings. It is the oldest municipal library in Quebec.
Let’s step back in time to 1897. The town of Westmount wanted to honor Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. The idea for the Westmount Public Library was born. The library was founded to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of then-reigning Queen Victoria.
Robert Findlay, a local architect, designed the library. Construction took place from 1898 to 1899. The Westmount Public Library opened its doors in 1899. The total cost was $16,375. This amount covered the building, furniture, and books. Findlay drew inspiration from New England libraries. He included a vaulted entrance. The gabled roof and a tower with turrets add to its charm. Coffered ceilings and faux marble columns grace the inside.
Mayor James R. Walker inaugurated the Westmount Public Library on June 20, 1899. Charles Henry Gould, a McGill University Librarian, assembled the first collection. It held 2,000 books. Lending began on July 23, 1899. Patrons could borrow one book for 14 days. The catalog had only 10 French titles at first.
In 1909, a children’s section was proposed. It became a reality in 1911. Mary Sollace Saxe called it the only properly equipped children’s room in Quebec. In 1940, library services extended to active service members. The library also collected books for the Canadian Armed Forces. The Dewey Decimal System replaced the alphabet system in the 1940s.
Fast forward to 1963, a book depository was installed. Student memberships began in 1965. By 1972, the Westmount Public Library held over 100,000 items. Cassette tapes were added in 1975. Renovations modernized the Westmount Public Library in 1995.
In 2000, the Friends of the Library formed. They host used book sales in Victoria Hall. By 2003, circulation exceeded 450,000 items. Since 2014, the Westmount Public Library has hosted honeybee hives. Honey sales make the program self-sustaining.
As of 2017, the library welcomes over a thousand daily visitors. It serves 7,600 subscribers. The collection includes rare books and 40,000 old postcards.
In 2023, fines for late returns were eliminated. Instead, accounts are disabled after seven days. In February 2024, the library launched its smartphone app. Users can reserve books and renew loans. They can also access an electronic membership card.
Throughout the years, the Westmount Public Library has adapted. It remains a vital part of the community. The Westmount Public Library enriches the community. It provides a welcoming space for reading, learning, and discovery.