--June 3, 2022.
On Thursday, June 2, the Atwater Library and Computer Centre has celebrated the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II with a display, award presentations and a speaker on their first in-person Thursday Lunch Hour Lecture since March of 2020.
There was an introductory piano concert by Shirley Wu of the McGill Faculty of Music. This was followed by the awarding of prizes for the library’s poetry contest on the theme of Queen Elizabeth. These poems, confined to 70 words, were read and the awards given by writer Mark Abley, the contest judge.
The newly renovated Adair Auditorium then hosted a presentation by Peter McNally entitled "Queen Elizabeth II and Her Platinum Jubilee, 1955 – 2022," giving an overview of her life and career. This was illustrated by many interesting slides that ranged from informal family groups to formal portraits showing off the extensive monarchical jewelry collection to vintage royal tours of exotic and not so exotic (Canada) locations. McNally is a retired McGill professor of library science and has an extensive personal collection of royal memorabilia, some of which is part of the Atwater display.
Following McNally’s lecture, one noted contributor to QAHN's magazine Quebec Heritage News, Susan McGuire, was honoured with the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers. McGuire has been the volunteer historian for the Atwater Library for many years, as well as a writer of articles on heritage themes, often related to her own United Empire Loyalist family background. The medal was presented by Richard Pound, co-chair of the Atwater Library’s Capital Campaign. This fundraising effort financed the excellent refurbishing of the woodwork in the auditorium, updated technical equipment and installed a much appreciated elevator for the building.
Refreshments, included two large cakes, were prepared and donated by Maura McKeon. The crowd of over 100 people enjoyed these enthusiastically- unfortunately, those viewing on Zoom had to forego the snacks and the accompanying wine.
Congratulations to the Atwater Library for continuing to thrive (since 1828) and to inform and to entertain Montrealers. The royal memorabilia display will be on view until September.