The Montreal West Children's Library has been an active part of our community since 1977.
We have a large, bilingual collection of more than 25 ooo documents, including books, DVDs and multimedia materials. The MWCL also offers a variety of programs and special events.
We have a large, bilingual collection of more than 25 ooo documents, including books, DVDs and multimedia materials. The MWCL also offers a variety of programs and special events.
The Montreal West Children's Library - Now and Beyond
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The MWCL is a non-profit, private library, with the double mission of a public and school library. It is run by a dedicated volunteer Board of directors composed of residents of Montreal West and an Elizabeth Ballantyne School (EBS) staff representative. The bulk of its funding comes from the town of Montreal West, but we also receive an annual grant from the English Montreal School Board (EMSB).
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The Library was established in the 1930's when it operated as a branch of the Montreal Children's Library. When this arrangement ceased a deal was struck with the then Protestant School Board of Greater Montreal (presently the English Montreal School Board) whereby the Library could operate out of one of its facilities in return for providing school library services. As such, the Library was incorporated in 1979 and is remarkable in that it has served, as both a school library and a community library for the Town of Montreal West and neighboring western Notre-Dame-de-Grâce.
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In 2013, the MWCL board of directors identified the need to upgrade the library as the current use of space is inefficient, and the existing furnishings are showing signs of significant wear. In addition, for several years, the library’s concrete floor has been crumbling due to its having been laid over back fill containing pyrite. The English Montreal School Board announced in its 2014-2015 budget that it would be replacing the Library floor at its own expense.
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This extensive renovation work, carried out in the summer of 2015, presented the MWCL with a unique opportunity to update and upgrade itself. Thus we embarked on a very successful capital campaign and raised over $100,000 to refurbish our library. The staff, volunteers, and board of directors are delighted to celebrate the re-opening and showcase the results of so much hard work by so many who care deeply about children’s literacy and access to libraries.
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We foster a life-long love of learning by encouraging and supporting literacy of all kinds within an inclusive community space. The Library enriches lives and builds community through opportunities to learn, know, interact, and grow. We all continue to work on making the library a safe and accessible space to all!
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Montreal West Children's Library Board of Directors 2022/23
Library Policy
Library Membership
Resident families - free membership
Non-resident families - $40 per year for basic membership
Summer membership - $10 for the period June 15th - September 1st (for non-residents).
Resident families - free membership
Non-resident families - $40 per year for basic membership
Summer membership - $10 for the period June 15th - September 1st (for non-residents).
Friends of the Library
Participation in the Mother Goose/Tales for Tots and the Book Club requires a Friends of the Library membership which is $25/ year. Friends of the Library benefit from reduction of cost for some activities or programs.
Participation in the Mother Goose/Tales for Tots and the Book Club requires a Friends of the Library membership which is $25/ year. Friends of the Library benefit from reduction of cost for some activities or programs.
Institutional Membership
Daycares and other institutions can join the Library at $75/ year to borrow materials and visit for weekly story time sessions.
Daycares and other institutions can join the Library at $75/ year to borrow materials and visit for weekly story time sessions.
Borrowing terms, conditions and loan duration
Books, talking books, magazines and DVDs can be borrowed for a period of 3 weeks.
The items can be renewed 3 times. A maximum of 25 books, 10 audiobooks, 10 DVDs, 10 magazines, 1 costume, 1 board game can be borrowed per account.
Books, talking books, magazines and DVDs can be borrowed for a period of 3 weeks.
The items can be renewed 3 times. A maximum of 25 books, 10 audiobooks, 10 DVDs, 10 magazines, 1 costume, 1 board game can be borrowed per account.
Reserved items
An item borrowed by another patron, or in processing can be reserved. You will be notified by phone or by e-mail when the item becomes available. It will be kept on hold for 7 days. If there are no other reservations, the item will be returned to the shelf.
An item borrowed by another patron, or in processing can be reserved. You will be notified by phone or by e-mail when the item becomes available. It will be kept on hold for 7 days. If there are no other reservations, the item will be returned to the shelf.
Book suggestions
If a document is not available in our collection, you can fill out a book suggestion form and we will add it to the collection after evaluation and according to the collection development policy.
If a document is not available in our collection, you can fill out a book suggestion form and we will add it to the collection after evaluation and according to the collection development policy.
Book Donations
We accept book donations. Items that are not added to the collection will be sold during our Book Sales.
We accept book donations. Items that are not added to the collection will be sold during our Book Sales.
Fines
The Library does not charge any late fines, as of March 2020.
The Library does not charge any late fines, as of March 2020.
Lost or damaged books
Lost or damaged books have to be paid for. The cost is calculated by adding the purchase cost and a $ 5 administration fee. If the lost item is found, you will be reimbursed for the purchase cost of the book but not for the administration cost. Damaged books, once paid, can be kept by the patron. According to the law, the Library cannot accept replacement copies by the patrons.
Lost or damaged books have to be payed for in 30 days, after which period the account will be blocked and the borrowing privileges will be suspended until the payment is received.
Lost or damaged books have to be paid for. The cost is calculated by adding the purchase cost and a $ 5 administration fee. If the lost item is found, you will be reimbursed for the purchase cost of the book but not for the administration cost. Damaged books, once paid, can be kept by the patron. According to the law, the Library cannot accept replacement copies by the patrons.
Lost or damaged books have to be payed for in 30 days, after which period the account will be blocked and the borrowing privileges will be suspended until the payment is received.
Participation in activities
Registration is required for most of our programs or activities. If we don’t receive a notice of cancellation 48 hours before the activity, and the child’s name is on the list, a fine of $3 will be added to the child’s account. The minimum number of participants is 4. For a child who drops in, or a child who is not a member of the Library, the price of the activity will be two times higher.
Registration is required for most of our programs or activities. If we don’t receive a notice of cancellation 48 hours before the activity, and the child’s name is on the list, a fine of $3 will be added to the child’s account. The minimum number of participants is 4. For a child who drops in, or a child who is not a member of the Library, the price of the activity will be two times higher.
Printing, Photocopying, scanning
Printing and photocopying can be done for $ 0.10 per page (black and white), and $0. 25 for colored print.
Printing and photocopying can be done for $ 0.10 per page (black and white), and $0. 25 for colored print.
Unattended children
Children under 10 years of age cannot be left unattended in the Library. A parent of a child 10 years old and under should always be present during a Library activity. The Library cannot be held responsible for a child left unattended.
Children under 10 years of age cannot be left unattended in the Library. A parent of a child 10 years old and under should always be present during a Library activity. The Library cannot be held responsible for a child left unattended.
