Atwater Library and Computer Centre

The Troubles Trilogy by Adrian McKinty

— Geoffrey Dowd, Atwater Library Board member
“I am a huge fan of good crime fiction, especially of the ‘noir’ variety. I recently read and recommend Adrian McKinty’s ‘Troubles trilogy,’ introducing Sean Duffy, a Catholic DI in Belfast serving with the mostly Protestant RUC. While set in the late 1970’s and 1980’s, they were written in the 2000’s, giving the author some interesting opportunities to involve historical events and perspectives in cases set within this era of wasteful, internecine conflict…” Click here to keep reading.

Our 150 Words for 150 Years flash writing contest attracted almost 200 entries from all over Canada and outside of Canada, and culminated with public readings and presentation of prizes at our 150th Day Party on May 30.

Our Canada in 150 Seconds: 150-second Videos by 150 Montrealers for Canada’s 150th project is running throughout the year. Some videos were screened at our 150th Day Party and others will be presented to the public at showcase events later in the year.

“The Artistic Mr. Wilson” exhibition in our main-floor reading room opened on June 20, 2017 when curator Edward McCann gave a talk, and continues until the end of August 2017. George Washington Wilson was a pioneering photographer in Scotland, who famously photographed Queen Victoria and is also remembered for his innovations in landscape photography. The exhibition includes important photographs as well as historic apparatus from Edward McCann’s collection.

The permanent Atwater Writers Exhibition, also on our main floor, tells the history of English-language writing in Quebec from the 1760s to today. New displays are planned for Fall 2017.

We are partway through the process of conserving the windows in our 1919 heritage building. In late 2016 and early 2017 the exterior of the main-floor arched windows facing Atwater Avenue and Tupper Street were done. The cost was covered by an anonymous private donor with a matching grant from Parks Canada. Click here to see an announcement made by our Member of Parliament, Hon. Marc Garneau, on October 14, 2016.

In the summer of fall of 2017 we will be doing an additional $200,000 worth of windows conservation, starting with the exterior of the big arched windows on our north facade.

Once the exterior windows are completed, we hope to tackle repairs to the masonry. The necessary funding has yet to be raised.

This year’s benefit event is set for Wednesday, November 1. Please save the date. For information and tickets, please contact Tanya Mayhew at tmayhew@atwaterlibrary.ca.

Michael St. B. Harrison is our Guest of Honour this year in recognition of his generous and effective community service as a volunteer, advocate and donor, as well as his important contributions to the economy of Montreal.