The Maisonneuve Library is a striking blend of history and modernity, housed in what was once the city hall of the former Cité de Maisonneuve. Built in 1912 in the Beaux-Arts style, the building has seen a dramatic evolution—from municipal governance to a pioneering cancer treatment institute—before becoming a library in 1981. A major $23.2 million restoration and expansion, completed in 2023, transformed it into a contemporary cultural hub while preserving its architectural heritage.

Today, the library offers much more than books. It features a Medialab, tool and seed lending programs, digital resources, and community workshops. Its glass-enclosed expansions create bright, open spaces designed for both quiet study and social interaction. With regular events, exhibitions, and even a podcasting studio, Maisonneuve Library embodies the shift toward libraries as dynamic, multi-use public spaces. It’s not just a place to borrow books—it’s a place to connect, create, and learn.

Mentioned in

Pouzza Fest founder Hugo Mudie's guide to Hochelaga

Pouzza Fest founder Hugo Mudie's guide to Hochelaga

Where a neighbourhood veteran of 30 years sends everyone who asks for recommendations.

logo

Buy-right. Shop local. Support small business. Choose from a hand-picked selection of prints from local photographers, makers and artisans.

Want to know what’s happening in Montreal?

We curate local content into a weekly news bulletin so you can find out what’s going on around town in one place. Sign up to stay informed.

    We use cookies on our site.