Westmount Public Library
| Westmount Public Library | |
|---|---|
Westmount Public Library in 2011
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| General information | |
| Address | 4574 Sherbrooke Street West |
| Town or city | Westmount, Quebec |
| Country | Canada |
| Coordinates | 45°28′52″N 73°36′00″W / 45.481183°N 73.599948°W |
| Construction started | 1898 |
| Completed | 1899 |
| Opened | 1899 |
| Renovated | 1995 |
| Owner | City of Westmount |
| Height | |
| Architectural | Tudor Revival |
| Technical details | |
| Material | Sandstone |
| Floor count | 3 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Robert Findlay |
Westmount Public Library is located within Westmount Park at 4574 Sherbrooke Street West in City of Westmount, Quebec, Canada. It was designed by Robert Findlay and opened in 1899.
The library was founded in 1897 to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of then-reigning Queen Victoria. Robert Findlay was selected as the architect, and construction took place between 1898 and 1899. The total cost at that time was $16,375. This was for the books, furniture, and building itself.
On June 20, 1898, the gala opening of the library took place. Records from that time indicate a collection of 1,992 books and 694 borrowers.
In 1940, members of the Active Service garrisoned in Westmount were given access to library services and the reading room. The library also took on the role of receiving station for magazine and book donations on the behalf of the Canadian Armed Forces.
The library experienced a sharp decline of book purchases in 1943. This was because of the low quality of paper and bindings. During that same year, the Library became the curator for the entirety of the collected material of the recently established Westmount Historical Association.
Between 1943 and 1949, the alphabet system was replaced by the Dewey Decimal System. A re-cataloguing and re-classification of books took place.
For 5 weeks during 1946, the Children's Department was forced to close due to an epidemic of Poliomyelitis.
In 1948, two hundred guests were invited to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the library.
By-law 82 was revised in 1988. It thereafter stated that the "Trustees will be appointed by Council and all residents as well as property owners are eligible for appointment.".
The 90th anniversary celebrations for the library were held in 1989.
In 1990, research commenced regarding a possible renovation and extension of the library. In 1991, after a poll, the citizens approved a renewal and enlargement plan. Renovations commenced in 1994. During that time, the adult and reference collections were temporarily moved to 4225 Saint Catherine Street and the Children’s Department, Audiovisual, Technical Services and Administration were located at Victoria Hall beside the library. Also in 1994, the library acquired Internet access, the first to do so in Quebec. A year later, in 1995, the new addition and renovations were finished.
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