Atwater Library and Computer Centre

We invite you to watch a short video showing the accessibility upgrades completed during the closedown. Join the men in charge of our construction for a tour. Enter through the new accessible door by Tupper Street and ride in our beautiful new elevator to the upper floors.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9QsHGwziiA

In the summer of 2020 we started a year-long project to engage seniors in creatively documenting and sharing accounts of important life experiences. Our tech-savvy team have patiently guided participants in using digital technology for text, still photos, art, audio and video – all the coaching online because of the pandemic.

The project participants are exhibiting their works to the public in the Spring of 2021. Stay tuned for details of the showcase events.

We have wonderful partners, including Concordia University’s engAGE and Centre for Oral History and Digital Storytelling, the Montreal West Public Library and Suoni Per Il Popolo.

For more information, please contact our project coordinator, Eric Craven, at eric@atwaterlibrary.ca.

On Thursday, January 30, 2020 we marked the 100th anniversary of the opening of our beautiful building with a special event which attracted a capacity audience of 130 people.

Attendees included City of Westmount Councillors Kathleen Kez and Jeff Shamie as well as leaders of partner groups and many other enthusiastic supporters.

Special guests were Dr. John Burgess and Lynn Burgess who have a family connection to William Rutherford, the president of our organization when the building was planned, constructed and opened. William Rutherford’s granddaughter Andrea Rutherford Burgess, now deceased, was Dr. Burgess’ wife and Lynn Burgess’ mother. Andrea Rutherford Burgess served as our president in the late 1990s.

Nancy Dunton gave a tremendous account of the history of our building and its value to the community. She commented on how architectural properties enhance visitors’ enjoyment — particularly the emphasis on light.

Click here to see a splendid 1921 booklet, referred to in the talk, about the history of our organization, then known as the Mechanics’ Institute of Montreal, and the “new” building.

Architect Nathan Bonneville showed illustrations of the plan for the elevator and new wheelchair entrance, now under construction and due to be completed by April 30, 2020.

For Montreal Gazette columnist Bill Brownstein’s take on our centenary, go here.

Click here to see CTV Montreal coverage of our 100th anniversary event.

Our Annual Benefit Cocktail Party was a great success and raised funds that are a key component of our lean budget for operations and programs. Held on November 6 in our own building, the gala evening featured live music by the Dave Turner Jazz Trio, a sensational silent auction, tasty hors d’oeuvres and smoked meat, wine and beer. We are grateful to our generous sponsors and donors as well as all who purchased tickets.

Our Guest of Honour was Paul K. Marchand, a leader in the life insurance business who has contributed generously to our organization for many years. In his remarks, he said our organization and similar institutions are particularly important to immigrants. After World War II, his father came from England to make a new life in Montreal and used the Atwater Library to study for exams to become a licenced professional engineer here.

By the spring of 2020, the Atwater Library’s 100-year old heritage building will have an elevator and be accessible to people with physical disabilities.

On May 30, 2019, Public Services and Accessibility Minister Carla Qualtrough visited and announced that the Government of Canada has awarded $608,000 for our accessibility project, which is two-thirds of the estimated total cost. For the Government news release, go here.

The Eric T. Webster Foundation is providing the other one-third of the estimated cost and Foundation director Derek Webster spoke at the ceremony for the Minister’s announcement.

Executive Director Lynn Verge said, “This is a dream come true! … We are thrilled at the prospect of being able to serve comfortably the many people who now struggle with our long steep stairs, and relieved that we will finally be able to offer access to those with more serious physical disabilities.”

With funds raised through our Building Communities Capital Campaign since 2010, many necessary renovations have been completed, including all code-compliance work, new and expanded washrooms, and entrance doors.

Capital Campaign Co-Chairs Richard W. Pound and David W. Angus are continuing to raise funds for urgently needed masonry repairs, bricks repointing, skylight replacement, and interior upgrades.