About
Us
Once upon a time...the Montreal Children's Library
The Children's Library was the first free children's library for English and French-speaking children in Montreal. The Library's founder, Elizabeth Murray, believed that every child should get the chance to grow up with books.
In 1929, Murray discovered that the Fraser Institute librarian, Mr. De Crèvecœur, had created a children's reading section but lacked the funds to buy books. Miss Murray then made contact with the local council (later the Council of Women of Montreal). Under the presidency of Maysie McSporran, a first commission was formed to study the possibility of creating a children's library.
Through a fundraising campaign, the committee secured $3,000 and in October 1929, the Fraser Institute room was opened to all girls and boys between the ages of three and sixteen. In its first month of operation, under the direction of librarian Violet McEwen, the library enrolled 208 children.
And the story was just beginning...
President
Alyssa Wiseman
Vice-president
Bailey Levine
Treasurer
Vincent Lamarche
Secretary
Administrators
Alexandra d’Arrisso
Amanda Fritz
Tiffany Belliardo
Carol Levinson
Cora MacDonald
Olivier Bailey
Ian Turpin
Farzin Davari
Gabriela Navarrete Rolls
Peggy Killeen
Angela Crowly
Junaid Subhan
Indra Kubicek
Lauriane Boulet
Martine Massarelli
Tara Sandler
Deryn Ollivier
The MCL is an NPO run by a dedicated and committed volunteer Board of Directors!
If joining this team is an idea that inspires you, please do not hesitate to contact us! We will be happy to discuss with you our future projects and how you can participate.