Montreal Children's Library

History

Montreal Children's Library 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.

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

Activities

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.

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.

Location

The Montreal Children's Library is located at 4121 42nd rd. The head librarian is Paula Lebrasseur.