The muncipal library in this inner city suburb actually began in 1949, but until 1998, it was housed in totally inadequate space that once had been a church. The new building--constructed after a 14 year fight by les Ami(e)s de la bibliothèque-- opened its doors March 31, 1998, and has been bursting with activity ever since. It now bears the name Robert Bourassa, after a former premier of Quebec who lived in Outremont for decades.Yesterday morning I spent a very pleasant hour talking about the campaign for the library with people who had been involved and people who have enjoyed the facility since. The occasion was the announcement of a week of anniversary activities from May 4-10 which include activities for every age group. Among them are a Friday jamboree for teenagers, book discussions in retirement residences and a talk by noted French writer and pedagogue Daniel Pennac.
One of the things I am most pleased with in my life is the role I played in getting the new facility. Along with several other library lovers like Lorraine Patoine, Cécile Gagnon, Gratia O'Leary and Josette Michaud, to name only a few, I attended city council meetings monthly for years, passed petitions, visited local schools to enlist their support and lobbied local officials. Every time I go to the library, however, to see it full of people I am so pleased that we perservered.
1 comment:
This is great. Glad you're involved in so much cool and useful stuff.
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