Atwater Library and Computer Centre

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.

On November 21, 2018 we celebrated the 190th anniversary of our organization’s founding with a reception in our main lobby. President John Aylen spoke to the gathering about our remarkable longevity. “When you turn 190, you can’t expect many of your contemporaries to come to your birthday party. But you hope that some of your great, great, great, great, great, great, great grandchildren do. And that is who we are. Figuratively, we are their descendants and the keepers of the great legacy they created.” Please click here for his full text. Find out more about our history here.

The photos below show John Aylen speaking and Lynn Verge, Executive Director, and Susan McGuire, historian and former Executive Director, cutting the birthday cake.

Wanda Potrykus, a participant in our seniors-led Living History Collection project, has written a series of articles for WestmountMag.ca online: “Birth of a local living history collection” — part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4 and part 5.

On August 9, 2017 Status of Women Canada Minister Maryam Monsef made a major announcement in our building that included funding for our three-year project addressing the problem of rape culture on college campuses. Click here for the full text.

The photo below shows our project co-cordinators Dr. Shanly Dixon and Community Development Librarian Eric Craven with the Minister.