Fraser-Hickson Library

Powered by Fraser-Hickson, minibiblioPLUS is the modern-day incarnation of the Fraser Hickson Institute, a renowned Institute and library, established in Montreal, Quebec since 1885.

minibiblioPLUS is a literacy outreach project consisting of two programs: minibiblio (mini-libraries) and the Early Literacy Component. The minibiblioPLUS program offers partner organizations the combination of both minibiblio and the Early Literacy Component, thus giving access to a rich collection, professional support and early literacy tools. The expert staff of minibiblioPLUS coach educators, parents and volunteers, among other things through training, to instill good reading habits in children. 

A minibiblio includes books chosen from the collection specifically for the partner organization and its clients, training on tracking, replenishment and delivery of materials selected with the assistance of a librarian, and promotion of partner organizations.

They currently operate 127 programs in 85 sites in Quebec. The minibiblioPLUS model has begun expanding to the national stage through pilot projects.

Fraser Institute 1905

History

In 1885, the Fraser Institute opened as the first free library in Montreal. In April 1870, the prosperous local businessman Hugh Fraser drew up his will with the help of his lawyer John Abbott. Less than a month later, Fraser died and the majority of his fortune was spent on "establishing an institution accessible to all honest and respectable people of all ranks and without distinction" with the aim of "helping to spread knowledge by giving free access to books, scientific objects and subjects and works of art to all who wish. ” For more than 70 years, the Institute was located at Burnside Hall, at the intersection of University and Dorchester streets (now boulevards Robert-Bourassa and René-Lévesque).

In 1956, Doctor of Philosophy J.W.A. Hickson bequeathed $ 1.9 million to the Institute on condition that his name be added to the organization's name. Three years later, the Fraser-Hickson Institute moved to the corner of Kensington and Somerled streets, in the Notre-Dame-de-Grâce district.[1] Despite its great success and its cultural value, financial pressures continued to grow until the early 2000s and the building on Kensington Street closed in 2007.[2]

In 2008, the building was sold to a private school. Most of its collection of over 180,000 documents was stored during the search for new sites and partnerships. With the establishment of a network of public libraries by the city of Montreal and the development of new technologies, the Fraser-Hickson Institute was faced with the challenge to renew itself.

In 2013, the library collaborated with the YMCA of Notre-Dame-de-Grâce by installing a library of 200 books in order to support the various programs of the organization.[3] This initiative, led by Executive Director, Helen Fortin, gave birth to the minibiblio concept. Meeting a resounding success, the program continued to develop and expand before finding a new home in 2016.

Fraser-Hickson is now located on rue Botrel, in the premises of the Notre-Dame-de-Grâce library. "Today, in a radically different context from that of its birth and by means that its founder would not have imagined, Fraser-Hickson continues its mandate to encourage reading and to strengthen the ability of citizens to read."[4]

The Fraser-Hickson Library(minibiblioPLUS) is located in the basement of the Notre-Dame-de-Grâce library
Collection of the minibiblioPLUS library


Notes and References
  1. "http://patrimoine.ville.montreal.qc.ca/inventaire/fiche_bat.php?id_bat=9999-17-0007-01". patrimoine.ville.montreal.qc.ca. Retrieved 2020-01-15. External link in |title= (help)
  2. "La bibliothèque de l'Institut Fraser-Hickson ferme ses portes". Le Devoir (in French). Retrieved 2020-01-15.
  3. Curran, Peggy; February 7, Montreal Gazette Updated; 2013 (2013-02-07). "The Fraser-Hickson rises again | Montreal Gazette". Retrieved 2020-01-15.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  4. Bibliothèques québécoises remarquables. Corbo, Claude, 1945-, Montreuil, Sophie, 1968-, Crevier, Isabelle,, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. [Montréal]. ISBN 978-2-924719-25-1. OCLC 1010743527.CS1 maint: others (link)
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