Montréal’s network of 45 municipal libraries across the city’s 19 boroughs offers multiple advantages. 

Vision

In 2030, the Montréal public libraries are recognized by local communities as welcoming, accessible, dynamic and trustworthy places to live.

Montrealers, in all their diversity and throughout their lives, nourish their curiosity and wonder at city libraries, where they enjoy a variety of collections, experiences, activities and learning opportunities.

By encouraging discovery and sharing, Montréal’s libraries enrich the social fabric, strengthen critical thinking, improve quality of life and individual fulfillment, positioning themselves as true vectors of change.

Shared collection 

Montréal’s libraries house a collection of 4,000,000 documents.

If you aren’t able to find a book or another document at your local library, even though it is part of the shared collection, you can request to have it transferred from another library.

Activities and events

Montréal’s libraries participate in the cultural programming offered by boroughs and by the city throughout the course of the year. Each library offers local activities and collaborates with partners in order to offer users a rich experience.

Modernization and innovation

The network is constantly modernizing and innovating in order to offer physical and virtual spaces that are pleasant, people-friendly and practical, by renovating, expanding or building libraries as well as providing access to technological equipment, online services, and more.

Library “without walls”

Montréal libraries present outreach activities through programs and services offered in public spaces, for example in parks, or to partners such as daycare centres, schools, and retirement homes.

Partnerships

The library network collaborates with organizations, companies and institutions with the objective of further enriching its offer. Libraries thus play a part in promoting quality living environments and the development of Montréal. 

La Grande Bibliothèque (BAnQ)

The library network is a partner of the Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (BAnQ), which includes the Grande Bibliothèque. The latter acts as Montréal’s central library. 

Books borrowed from any library across the network can thus be returned to the Grande Bibliothèque.

However, a network library card cannot be used to borrow books from the Grande Bibliothèque, since it is not part of the Bibliothèques de Montréal network.