Last Friday evening, the inauguration of the new Adrienne Demontigny-Clément Library in Pointe-des-Cascades was an occasion for joy and celebration. The mayor, councillors, general manager, family, artists, librarian, volunteers and many residents gathered to witness the official cutting of the red ribbon at 85 chemin du Fleuve in Pointe-des-Cascades. The library now replaces the old Pointe-des-Cascades church, and it's a beautiful one.

As librarian Carole Labelle, who has been in post for a few months, explained: “Last March, the library had 3,400 books; it now has 4,000, and the aim is to increase the collection. She adds: “We already have a book club for adults. Soon, we'll have activities such as puzzles, scrabble, LEGO, etc.”

And the biggest change, says Labelle proudly, is that starting this week, the new library will triple its opening hours: from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. per week. The new schedule is as follows 

- 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays

- 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.

Martine Clément, daughter of Adrienne Demontigny-Clément, took the floor to recall the memory of her book-loving mother, who inspired the name of the new library. Her other daughter Christiane was also present at the event.

A floral work created by Catherine Desrochers was installed thanks in part to the support of the Conseil des arts et de la culture de Vaudreuil-Soulanges (CACVS). “Each paper inserted into one of the flowers tells a story that has touched one of the library's members,” says Catherine.

Olga Cassetta, a multidisciplinary artist living in Pointe-des-Cascades, is the first artist to exhibit at the library. Her art is characterized by an often non-figurative approach to painting, and it's very successful. You can enjoy her work until December.

The MNA for Soulanges, Maryline Picard, took the floor and recalled with emotion the moment when she had seen on the list of grants the amount of $20,000 awarded to the future library: “I was so happy, enjoy it everyone, it's your library,” she concluded.

The mayor of Pointe-des-Cascades, Peter Zytynsky, was delighted and thanked all those involved in the success of this wonderful project, including all the volunteers: “Your children will learn a lot here,” he said, very proud of the result.

General Manager Serge Raymond took the floor, expressing his wish that “this library be a source of communication, inspiration and joy for future generations”. He acknowledged the contribution of the financial partners: the Ministère de la culture et des communications, the CACVS, the Canada Post Foundation and Réseau Biblio Montérégie.

Mr. Raymond thanked Johanne Séguin Poirier for her 31 years of dedication to the former library, as a volunteer for many years and for three years as manager. The latter confessed that it was she who had created all the barcodes for each of the library's thousands of books: quite a mission. Congratulations!

Geneviève Lachance, administrator and vice-president of the CACVS, also took the floor to congratulate Catherine Desrochers, for her floral work dedicated to the new library.

The new librarian, Ms Labelle, thanked Réseau Biblio, which helps all libraries in municipalities with fewer than 5,000 inhabitants. In fact, Réseau Biblio Montérégie covers half the costs of many events, and provides a great deal of support for loans between Montérégie libraries.

In short, it's a great place to visit over the coming weeks.