Forty years ago, the Town of Mount Royal Library building was officially opened.
(Photo: Éric Carrière)
TMR Library Celebrates 40 Years
Forty years ago, the Town of Mount Royal Library building was officially and proudly opened by the mayor and councillors, and warmly received by invited dignitaries and citizens. Recently, a ceremony comprising a few short speeches and a wine-and-cheese reception was held in its lobby to commemorate the 40th anniversary of this fine local institution.
Mayor Vera Danyluk paid homage to the Town’s political predecessors – Mayor Reginald Dawson – for their “vision and foresight of leaving a legacy to the Town in the form of a most valuable municipal infrastructure. Forty years later, this library still has the attraction of a modern design.”
Taking place during Canada’s centennial year and Montreal’s Expo ’67, the new library’s design was chosen as one of the top 25 Centennial buildings by leading Canadian architects. 1967 was a year when Ottawa funded hundreds of similar projects across Canada.
The mayor later thanked former head librarian Sharon Hoffman who “not only looking after our library, but also instilling values in all of our employees such as reading, promoting our young people, and the value of education.”
Besides a few dozen residents and youngsters, the October 21st event was attended by councillors John Miller, Erin Kennedy and Phillipe Roy as well as MP Irwin Cotler, MNA Pierre Arcand and Beth-El rabbi emeritus Allan Langner.
Two other speakers also gave their first impressions of the new library. Guest-of-honour and noted wine author Michel Phaneuf described it as an architectural “jewel” upon his arrival as a TMR resident 20 years ago. He also noted that it has a “high-quality” staff which has been able to help him considerably on various research projects.
Coming from a small town of 25,000 in 1985, current head librarian Denis Chouinard said its standards far surpassed those of many other libraries. The tall windows let in considerable natural sunlight to the main floor, he noted, and the wells on the sides allow it to enter the downstairs children’s library that doesn’t at all give the impression that you’re in a basement.
Other attractions are its wooden shelves, the most bilingual collection on the island of Montreal, and employees who always try to give users the best service, Chouinard added.
Library History
Not many people know that TMR’s first library was located on the second floor of the current fire station. Initiated by the local Junior Chamber of Commerce in 1951, it was quickly supported by the Women’s Community Club and the Gentlemen of Leisure Association, or the “Golas.” Other local groups, such as the Horticultural Society and the Country Club, also joined in.
With volunteers collecting and sorting books, the new library opened the next year and the Town started to annually fund it in 1954. It grew steadily over the following decade until it was decided to build a proper library for the Town that would also be a very suitable Centennial project.
In 1965, Mayor Dawson formed a library headed by councillors William Tetley and Walter Mitchell along with another 10 prominent citizens. While there were often heated discussions over its design (particularly being one-half storey off the ground) and materiels, it was “very much due to public participation that we have such a fine library,” Tetley remarked.
Many residents also found the design too modern and not harmonious with the surrounding buildings, he added. However, the councillors supporting the project courageously stuck to their guns and everyone was “happy and proud” when it was completed.”
To commemorate Centennial year, the Town decided to establish the library’s address as “1967” Graham Boulevard and Sherwood Crescent. In 1976, the library’s name was officially changed to the “Reginald J.P. Dawson Library” to honour the long-serving mayor on his 25th anniversary in office. The much-respected and beloved mayor would go on to serve TMR for another ten years.
The library has always been in the forefront of developments in its field. In its new location, users could listen to recorded music on headphones and a few years later sound films (and a projector) and a micro-film reader-printer were made available.
“With the Council’s and administration’s support,” noted Chouinard, “we are continuing to develop this library so that users can arrive optimistically feeling that coming developments will be very interesting and in the image of the 21st century.
(Photo: Éric Carrière)
Steven Guilbeault - Chronique environnement
Richard Cléroux - Le fouineur politique
