Library still seeking clarity on relocation, 5 months after eviction notice
Posted May 20, 2023 3:02 pm.
Last Updated May 20, 2023 6:56 pm.
A bilingual children’s library in Montreal that serves disadvantaged neighbourhoods feels left in the dark after receiving an eviction notice a few months ago.
The Montreal Children’s Library, a private library focused on bringing books to children from vulnerable communities, received an eviction notice at the end of last year.
The library in St-Michel says it has until the end of September to relocate.
“We’ve been here for 20 years,” said volunteer board member Amanda Fritz. “We’ve been in this neighbourhood for 75 years. But unfortunately the school board amid an ever growing student population demand needs to reappropriate the building so all the tenants, including the library, need to find new homes.
“Thousands of kids come to our library branch to rent out books but also participate in our activities, to some extent. We’re also a welcoming, safe place for them to go after school if they maybe don’t have a parent yet that’s home from work.”
The Montreal Children’s Library in St-Michel on May 20, 2023. (Brittany Henriques/CityNews)
The library says it’s being evicted because the Centre de services scolaire de Montréal (CSSDM), which owns the building, is repossessing it “for the benefit of their growing student population.”
The library claims it was “assured by the city” that officials would help them find a new location in St-Michel. But months have passed, and no new location has been confirmed. The library fears its essential services may be interrupted if a solution is not found soon.
“I feel terrible because this is where I built so much memories. This is my second home,” said 13-year-old Giuseppe Muzzone, who frequents the library weekly.
“This second home, it can’t be disappearing just like that.”
One parent told CityNews the library has been her saving grace, a place where she can bring her three young children to learn, get away from screens and socialize with peers.
The mother said, through tears, that it would leave a big hole in the community. She hopes a resolution will be found.
“First and foremost, we’re like a safe space for the children,” said head librarian Laurence Savage. “Most of our patrons, they come here almost every day after school, friendships have been created between the kids at the library, friendships between parents.”
“They’re sad, they’re concerned,” added Fritz. “We really are a solid content in their lives, so they really don’t want to have us leave the neighbourhood.”
The library says it’s not opposed to moving, as it’s done so “many times” throughout its 95-year history. But it wants answers from the city soon.
CityNews reached out to the City of Montreal on Thursday for comment but didn’t hear back by Saturday. The Quebec government never replied to a request for comment.
