The Atwater Library and Computer Centre (French: Bibliothèque et centre d’informatique Atwater, officially the Atwater Library of the Mechanics' Institute of Montreal) is an independent community library in Westmount, Quebec, Canada, operating the oldest subscription library service in the country. It is located at 1200 Atwater Avenue. It is a privately operated, non-government, nonprofit organization, and a registered charity. It was founded in 1828.[1]
The Atwater Library was home of the first Mechanics' Institute in Canada. It is also the oldest subscription library in Canada. It was first formed in 1828 when citizens recognized the need for educating workers for the number of industries that were expanding in Montreal.[2] The Atwater Library is also the last Mechanics' Institute building in Canada serving its original purpose. The Atwater Library of the Mechanics' Institute of Montreal was recognized as a National Historic Site of Canada in 2005.[3]
The Atwater Library offers a variety of services and events to both members and to residents of the greater Montreal area. Membership is not limited to a specific municipality because it is not a public library.
In addition to regular courses and workshops (e.g. on the use of computers), the Atwater Library and Computer Center are behind many events, special projects and exhibitions in partnerships with many organizations. One of their current projects is the Digital literacy project which engages people in creative new media production.[12][13] Eric Craven (project director) and Dr. Line Grenier presented a paper about the project at the European Communication Research and Education Association Conference (ECREA) in Lisbon in November 2014 as part of a panel called New Media and Older People – Age, Narratives and Normativities.[14] Two videos were presented and are still available here and here. The ALCC also participated in the National Human Library Day in Canada.[15] They collaborated with researchers on projects like MemorySpace: Private Memories, Public Histories, a project capturing the life stories and history of a neighbourhood through photographs.[16]