The expansion of L’Octogone library is coming to an end and so the library’s temporary location at 2101 avenue Dollard (in Place Newman) was permanently closed on Sunday May 14, 2023.

New loan service

The new L’Octogone library is scheduled to officially open before the end of the summer. Until then, a loan service is available in Parc Félix-Leclerc, at the corner of rue Salley and rue Carignan, so that library users can get their fill of stories during the summer season.

This new temporary service location is set up in a specially equipped shipping container offers a small collection for children and adults as well as the following services:

• Pick-up of library loans reserved online in advance
• Reservations and returns of library materials
• Registration to become a library member
• Reading suggestions

These temporary library is open every weekday from noon to 4:30 p.m., until the new library opens.

Returns and renewal of library loans

In addition to the temporary library, you can return the following documents to one of the network’s libraries. You can also renew your documents online or by phone at another library.

For more details, consult this news.

Bounded by four streets—Avenue Dollard to the east, Rue F.-X.-Prieur to the west, rue Salley to the north and boulevard de la Vérendrye to the south—the L’Octogone library, the only library in the Borough of LaSalle, covers approximately 2,900 m² in area. The renovated library will be expanded to approximately 4,500 m². 

An outdoor activity area and a visual link with Parc Félix-Leclerc, adjacent to the library, are also planned. In addition to keeping the existing work of art—Signal dans l’espace by Claude Lamarche—a new work of art will be integrated into the architecture. 

The L’Octogone library project will be designed and built in accordance with the major principles of sustainable development. LEED Gold certification will be sought for this project.

In response to the needs expressed by the Borough of LaSalle’s residents, the new L’Octogone library wants to use comic strips as its focal point. The project for the L’Octogone library—which boasts the largest collection of comic books in all of Montréal’s libraries—is based on six themes of excellence: 

• learning and understanding
• dreaming, imagining and escaping
• creating and participating
• living together or in one’s “bubble”
• playing, reading and being active, and lastly,
• exploring through comics

When it reopens, the building will house: 

• A collection of 180,000 printed publications, 8,000 audiovisual titles (mainly DVDs) and 1,000 games
• 1 community hall (for up to 90 people)
• 1 activity room for children (for up to 60 people)
• 2 spaces for creative work (“fab lab” type, the cartoonist’s workshop and the L’Ébullition space for creative work) 
• 1 coffee shop (40 seats)
• 1 space for teenagers
• 1 corner for 5-year-olds and under
• 1 cartoon library
• 5 work rooms for 4 or 6 people
• 275 seats (excluding community, work and training rooms and the coffee shop)
• 80 fixed or mobile computer stations and a training room (12 seats)

At the end of the architectural competition for the expansion and renovation of the L’Octogone library in LaSalle, the project of the Anne Carrier architecture + Labonté Marcil team was selected. The magnificent architecture was unveiled to LaSalle residents at a public presentation in 2018. 

• Press release issued by Ville de Montréal (announcement of the chosen team)
• Press release issued by the Borough of LaSalle (announcement of the chosen team)

Relocation of the library

• Saturday, May 8, 2021: Opening of the book drop at Place Newman (2101 avenue Dollard)
• Monday, May 17, 2021: Opening at Place Newman (2101 avenue Dollard) for the duration of the work

Construction work

• 2021-2023 - Completion of the work 

Closure of the temporary facility

• Spring 2023

Official opening of the library

• Summer 2023

• Press release issued by Ville de Montréal – L’Octogone Library in LaSalle – Renovation and Expansion Work Gets Under Way 
• Press release issued by Ville de Montréal – Renovation, expansion and construction plan: A library anchored in the 21st century in the heart of LaSalle
• Press release issued by Ville de Montréal: Expansion and renovation of the L’Octogone library – Ville de Montréal announces the architecture competition finalists 
• Press release issued by Ville de Montréal: Launch of the multidisciplinary architectural competition for the expansion and renovation of the L’Octogone library on Monday, August 7, 2017

Membership

If my library card has expired, how do I renew it? 

Since the beginning of the pandemic, memberships that have expired have been automatically extended for 3 months. You can renew it in person with a recent proof of residence with address and photo ID.

If my Accès-services LaSalle card has expired, how do I renew it? 

It isn’t necessary to have an Accès-services LaSalle card to access sports facilities (e.g. the Aquadôme). LaSalle residents need only show proof of residence to access the facilities. When making an online reservation at the Complexe aquatique Michel-Leduc, you can simply check off the “I don’t have a card” box.

If I am not already a library member, how can I join the library?

• In person: at the library with a recent proof of residence with address and photo ID.
• Online: You can join the library online, in order to access the digital library, by filling out the following form.

Loans/returns

Library loan drops

The library loan drops for returning books and other library materials are located at 2101 avenue Dollard.

• Outside: near door # 1

• Inside: near gate 4 of the mall.

At our temporary location, 2101 avenue Dollard

Will your temporary facilities be adapted for people with limited mobility?

Yes, the facilities is universally accessible. 

Your temporary premises are far from where I live. Are you be offering home delivery service?

Unfortunately, we are not able to deliver library materials to your home. However, you have 6 days to come and pick up the library materials you have reserved.

If your collections are reduced while the work is being carried out, will I have to wait longer to receive my reservations?

No. We are adjusting the number of copies purchased to avoid long waits for access to library materials.

Will I be able to reserve more than 15 items at a time since you will have a smaller collection?

No.

Will the library hours be the same as those at Place Newman?

The hours of operation are:

• Monday to Friday : 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Saturday and Sunday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Will we be able to borrow as many items as before? 

Yes.

Will you accept donations of library materials at your temporary location?

No.

Will we be able to reserve a study room?

No work space is currently available.

Will there be access to MTL-WIFI? 

Yes.

Will you always have rental books?

Yes.

Will you always accept returns from the Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (BAnQ)?

Yes.

Since your collection will be reduced, will we be able to have BAnQ loans delivered to L’Octogone?

Unfortunately, it will not be possible to have BAnQ loans delivered to L’Octogone library. However, if you borrow books from the Grande bibliothèque, you will be able to return them to L’Octogone. 

Will there be any food services?

No, there will not be any food services at our temporary location.

Find out what these might look like: 

• The entrance
  • Part 1
  • Part 2
• The librarians’ area
• The coffee shop
• Expansion work