News

eBooks Available Now

Thanks to a $15,000 capacity-building grant from Fondation du Grand Montréal, the Atwater Library is now offering our members eBook loans. We've contracted with the leading supplier of digital books to libraries in North America, OverDrive. Dan Volpo, our eBooks Project Coordinator, is giving information about eReaders and eBooks. To see a schedule of workshops and drop-in sessions, click on the headline. For more information on our eBook program, contact Dan at ebooks@atwaterlibrary.ca.

To download eBooks you will need:

  • your Atwater Library membership number which begins with M0 (the second digit is a zero)
  • your eReader device (the Kindle is not compatible with Canadian libraries)
  • the USB cable or cord that connects your eReader to a computer
  • a computer with free Adobe Digital Editions software installed and authorized (exceptions exist)

Free Fun Computer Workshops "By Seniors for Seniors" - Advance Registration Required (Maximum of Two Picks)

Thanks to funding from the New Horizons for Seniors program of the Government of Canada, we've developed a series of fun digital literacy workshops "by seniors for seniors". Most of the initial offerings are fully booked, but we'll soon be adding sessions.

FRIDAY, February 10 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm – fully booked
THURSDAY, March 15 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm – fully booked
Picture Sharing – Learn how to scan and email photos to family and friends.

TUESDAY, February 21 from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon
Online Book Clubs – Become a part of the online book club world and listen to famous authors' readings.

TUESDAY, February 28 from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon – fully booked
Sharing Information with Google Docs – Create, edit and share documents online.

FRIDAY, March 2 from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon
Play Online – Explore the world of online games such as Scrabble and crosswords.

TUESDAY, March 6 from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon – fully booked
Skype – Learn how to keep in touch with friends and loved ones abroad.

Free admission but the number of places is limited and advance registration is required. Seniors are welcome to register for one or two sessions – a maximum of two – by contacting Beth Symansky at  514-935-7344 ext. 206 or beth@atwaterlibrary.ca.

For-Fee Computer Courses and Workshops - Winter 2012

We can help you keep that New Year's resolution to upgrade your computer skills. Our for-fee course schedule for the winter and early spring is now on our website. For more information and to register, contact Zile Ozols at zile@atwaterlibrary.ca or 514-935-7344.

Free Workshops on Online Government Services for Seniors

Thanks to funding from the Government of Quebec, we're offering more free workshops on Online Government Services for Seniors. Here are the next two times:

FRIDAY, February 17, 2012 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm
FRIDAY, March 23, 2012 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm

Topics include getting information on health services, housing, retirement income and rights.

Digital Literacy Project Serving Community Groups and Youth

During the winter of 2012 we'll be conducting new-media workshops with the following community groups:

  • Verdun Elementary School
  • Parc Ex Historical Society
  • Bienvenue à NDG
  • Young Parent's Program at Head & Hands
  • Ressources ethnoculturelles contre l'abus envers les aînés (RECAA)
  • Jeunes en Action.

We're continuing to support the Inter-Tribal Youth Center with a digital audio recording and internet music promotion workshop.

For information, contact Project Coordinator Eric Craven at dlp@atwaterlibrary.ca.

SILENT MOVIE SCREENING with PIANO ACCOMPANIMENT

Sunday, March 25, 2012 - Doors open at 6:30 pm, screening at 7:00 pm

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, a 1920 silent horror film, will be screened in the Library's 1920 auditorium with Jamie Woollard providing accompaniment on our vintage upright piano. 

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari was directed by Robert Wiene from a screenplay by Hans Janowitz and Carl Mayer. It is one of the most influential of German Expressionist films and is considered one of the greatest horror movies of the silent era and credited with introducing the twist ending in cinema.

Admission: Pay what you can. Tax receipts for donations of $15 and more.

Refreshments will be available.

All proceeds will go to the Atwater Library's community educational and cultural programs.

Shakespeare DVD Collection, Plans to Celebrate Shakespeare's Birthday

There are about 70 DVDs in the Atwater Library's Shakespeare DVD Collection - films of stage productions, movie adaptations and documentaries. This specialty collection was started in 2011 thanks to a generous donation from a friend of the Library. To consult the collection online, type DVD SHK in the search field.

The Atwater Library is having a special event to mark this year's anniversary of Shakespeare's birth. Click the headline for details.

PAUL ALMOND READING and RECEPTION - Co-hosted by the Quebec Writers' Federation

Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at 6:00 pm in the Atwater Library Reading Room

Author Paul Almond reads from and discusses the latest book in his Alford series, which covers 200 years of world history from the perspective of a family who settled on the Gaspé coast of Québec. For more information about the author and his work, see www.paulalmond.com.

Refreshments served.

This event is co-hosted by the Atwater Library and the Quebec Writers' Federation as one of their Writers Out Loud series.

2011 Benefit Cocktail Party "Best Yet"!

Over 300 Atwater Library supporters joined guests of honour Richard Pound and Julie Keith for the organization's 6th Annual Benefit Cocktail Party on November 2. The record crowd had a great time and the event generated over $75,000 net for the Library's educational and cultural programs. This is about 15% of the lean operating budget.

Click on the headline to see our generous sponsors' names and logos.