About The Library

The Atwater Library and Computer Centre (ALCC), located in a 1920s heritage building in western downtown Montreal, is a community-oriented facility with a library, a multi-faceted computer centre, and an auditorium seating 100.

ALCC was founded in 1828 as the Mechanics’ Institute of Montreal, and it is the oldest lending library in Canada. The building is a National Historic Site. Officially known as the Atwater Library of the Mechanics’ Institute of Montreal, ALCC is an independent facility open to all residents of Canada. Funding is primarily by private donations and internally-generated activities. ALCC is a registered charity.

The Atwater Library traces its origins back to 1828, when the first mechanics' institute established in continental British North America was formed in Montreal. Today, with its official name, the Atwater Library of the Mechanics' Institute of Montreal, it is the sole survivor of the many mechanics' institutes established in Canada in the 19th century. The rest were either closed or merged into public library systems. The Atwater Library and Computer Centre carries on proudly, aware of its traditions, but focused on the future.

For more information about the library check out our Website at http://www.atwaterlibrary.ca/

The Library and the Digital Literacy Project are both located at;
1200 Atwater Ave. Westmount, Québec, H3Z 1X4 Canada

To reach us by phone: (514) 935-7344