Atwater Library facts for kids
The Atwater Library and Computer Centre is a special community library in Westmount, Quebec, Canada. It's also known as the Atwater Library of the Mechanics' Institute of Montreal. This library has the oldest subscription library service in Canada. It's located at 1200 Atwater Avenue. The Atwater Library is a private, non-profit organization and a registered charity. It first opened its doors in 1828.
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History
The Atwater Library was the very first Mechanics' Institute in Canada. Mechanics' Institutes were places where working people could go to learn and improve their skills. It is also the oldest subscription library in Canada. A subscription library means you pay a small fee to become a member and borrow books.
The library started in 1828. At that time, people in Montreal saw a need to educate workers. Many new industries were growing in the city. The Atwater Library is special because it's the last Mechanics' Institute building in Canada that still serves its original purpose. In 2005, the Atwater Library of the Mechanics' Institute of Montreal was named a National Historic Site of Canada. This means it's an important part of Canada's history.
What the Library Offers
The Atwater Library provides many services and events. These are for both members and people living in the greater Montreal area. You don't have to live in a specific town to join because it's not a regular public library.
Becoming a Member
You can become a member to use all the library's services. There is a small fee to join. Special prices are available for students and seniors.
Library Services
The library has almost 40,000 items. These include books, movies, and other media. Most of the collection is in English. They also have special collections and old historical documents. In 2015, they started a "Seed Bank." This is a program where people can share seeds for gardening.
Computer Services
The library has computers that anyone can use. They also offer free Wi-Fi. You can take courses and workshops in a special computer classroom. They also run the Digital Literacy Project. This project helps young people and adults learn computer skills.
Digital Literacy
Digital literacy means knowing how to use digital technology. The Atwater Library teaches these skills. They also teach about creating new media, like videos or digital art. They work with other groups and schools. They offer fun activities for different age groups. They also share what they learn about seniors using digital media with other organizations around the world.
Financial Literacy
The library works with other groups to offer presentations and workshops. These events teach people about money matters and important financial skills. For example, they have offered sessions on planning for retirement.
Room Rentals
The Atwater Library has four rooms you can rent by the hour. These include an auditorium, a computer classroom, and a reading room.
Exhibitions
The library displays art from the community and schools. You can see pictures and paintings throughout their historic building.
Events
They host many different events. These include readings by authors, interesting talks, and community gatherings. They also hold fundraising events to help support the library.
Community Involvement
The Atwater Library and Computer Centre is very involved in the community. They offer regular computer courses and workshops. They also organize many special projects and exhibitions. They often work with other organizations.
One of their main projects is the Digital Literacy Project. This project helps people learn to create new media. The library also took part in the National Human Library Day in Canada. They have also worked with researchers on projects like MemorySpace. This project collected life stories and neighborhood history using photographs.
