The library was founded in 1897 to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of then-reigning Queen Victoria. Robert Findlay was selected as the architect, and construction took place between 1898 and 1899.
Findlay was inspired by the public libraries of New England he had visited.
On June 20, 1898, the gala opening of the library
In 1925, architect Findlay along with his son designed an addition to the library. It included more stack space, another reading room, as well as an office for the librarians. This new wing also contained a mezzanine floor, the art section and music section, and reference books.
The Westmount Public Library was inaugurated on June 20, 1899, by Mayor James R. Walker. Book lending began on July 23, 1899. Patrons could only borrow one book at a time, for a period of 14 days. The catalogue originally had only 10 titles in French.
In 1899, Quebec’s first public library was built in the park. Flowerbeds were planted and a bandstand was constructed.
In 1910, Rickson Outhet – Landscape Architect designed the extension of the south side of park. The Flower Conservatory was designed by Lord & Burnham in 1927. In 1912, J. Howard Manning landscaped the park on behalf of the city. The Glen, stream and some of the ravines were filled in.
Modernization and remodelling was finished in 1936. This involved the creation of a new workroom, the installation of concrete floors, new counters for book borrowers, and an air-conditioning system.
1959 saw major changes including the installation of new steel stacks able to contain nearly 100,000 items, a new shipping area and Children’s Department. The former Children’s Department was turned into offices.
In 1964, the park was renovated by the firm McFadzean & Everly. The water course was redesigned with an addition of a waterfall and island for ducks. Trees were cut and the stream that crosses the park was redeveloped. There was addition of cast iron luminaries from 1932 that lit the park paths at night.
The Centennial Reference Room opened in 1967 and the entire library was carpeted to help reduce noise.
In 1982, the library suffered severe neglect, rain leaking through the roof and waters seeped through the foundations damaging stored material.
In 1991, the Peter Rose Architects presented a public presentation at Victoria Hall, proposing an exterior glazed hallway adjacent to the original Library joining it with a new addition.
At the same time Peter Rose was completing work on the library extension and restoration, major considerations were being made on the reconfiguration of the existing landscape and tying together the varied architectural elements, the Library, Greenhouses and Victoria Hall.
Renowned Landscape Architect Dan Kiley based in Vermont, worked extensively on the central garden accessing the library’s entrance. Peter Rose Architects reviewed the existing parking spaces and condensed them into one central parking space with the addition of a new driveway.
A series of maple trees separate the library from Sherbrooke St. A water fountain and rose garden greet the library users as they use the pedestrian path to access the library. An additional 49 maple trees, Crabtree’s, Peking Cottoneaster hedges, flowering bushes, lilacs and a linen grove now grace the entrance of the library and the greenhouse.
