07 Mar Take a trip to one of the wonderful libraries of Quebec City and open the doors to knowledge and history.

Posted at 21:42h in Quebec City by

The libraries of Quebec are a municipal service municipal. La Ville de Québec has entrusted its  their management to the ICQ (the Canadian Institute of Quebec).Maison de Littérature , Bibliothèque Claire Martin Founded in 1848, the ICQ is a non-profit cultural organization. Its mission is to provide access to knowledge and culture through libraries, literature and literacy. The Bibliothèque de Québec network is made up of 26 libraries located in the territory of Quebec City. 

We would like to share with you relevant information about two libraries near the Hotel Manoir d’Auteuil that you can visit during your stay in Quebec City. The libraries we have selected will tell you the Quebec City story. They are part of its cultural and historical heritage

Historically, the Church has had such an important influence on the beautiful architecture of the Old City.  As with many other cities throughout the world,  the congregations have become smaller and many of these amazing and important structures are being torn down or reimagined as their real estate value and maintenance is no longer sustainable as a place of worship.  Quebec City residents feel very fortunate that the Government has stepped in to repurpose these important historic structures in a way that serves the local community and residents.

Maison de la Littérature

The Maison de la littérature is housed in the former Wesley Temple, the first neo-Gothic church in Quebec City built in 1848. The church was designed by the architect Edward Stavely to serve as a worship place for the Methodist community.

Since 1944, The Maison de la littérature was known as Salle de l’Institut. It marked Quebec cultural history and more precisely by Les Lundis de L’Institut : shows and conferences that hosted numerous famous artists for almost sixty years.

The building has recently benefited from an innovative interior transformation into  a modern interior full of natural light, with high ceilings and large windows. It’s visited by architecture students from the School of Architecture at Laval University in Quebec City, to complete their training.Teachers and students organize outings to the Maison de Littérature every year to come study, experience and understand the architectural elements used in the construction of this building. Thanks to its architectural concept imagined by the company Chevalier Morales Architecte, The Maison de la littérature has won several awards over the years. The most recent ones:

If you want to deepen your history knowledge about the Maison de la Littérature accompanied by a guide, call to reserve a 60 minutes Guided tours in French or  English ( $8 per person). 

You can also go there to consult books, magazines and newspapers. Do you need to scan documents, print your plane or bus ticket? These services are offered at La Maison de Littérature( 20 cents per page in black and white and $1.50 per page in colors).

Do you have work to do? with or without your computer? and you need internet access or Wifi. Go to the library reception with your ID, the team will be happy to provide you with your own on site service card. This card is valid for 1 year and it gives you access to all the services offered by the library on-site. You can have access to the digital channels with headsets (in times of COVID it is mandatory to bring your own headset). You can reserve one of the 3 writing cabinets, use one of the computers on site or access the wifi for free. Writing cabinets are accessible on a first-come, first-served basis. Therefore, It is strongly recommended to reserve them in advance by using your on site service card and calling 418 641-6797 to be sure to have access, especially during the busiest periods such as school holidays.

A variety of free and paid events and shows are organized at the Maison de Littérature.To find the event that match with your stay at the Hotel Manoir d’Auteuil, please consult the calendar at https :/https://www.maisondelalitterature.qc.ca/programmation 

How to get to the House of Literature at 40, rue Saint-Stanislas, Quebec (Quebec) G1R 4H? Use the Quebec City map  provided by the Hotel Manoir d’Auteuil receptionist.

Only 4 minutes from your accommodation at the Hotel Manoir d’Auteuil. Leaving the Manoir, turn right to go to rue Dauphine then turn left after 200 meters further on rue Cook.

Opening hours of the library space:

Monday: closed;    Tuesday to Friday: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. ,    Saturday: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.    Sunday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Holiday hours: the House of Literature closed on December 24th, 25th, 31th and January 1st. On December 26th and January 2nd, it is open from 1 p.m.

For more information call the Maison de Littérature at 418 641-6797

or send a message to info@maisondelalitterature.qc.ca

Claire Martin Library

Formerly known as the Saint-Jean Baptiste Library, The Claire Martin Library was the St-Matthew’s Church, an Anglican worship place.

In 1976, the building was classified as a historical monument. Three years later, in 1979, the La Ville de Québec bought it for the symbolic sum of $1 to transform it into a library. It was inaugurated in May 1980 as  Bibliothèque Saint-Jean Baptiste. In November 2016, renovations were launched and finalized about 6 months later to enhance this heritage building. When it reopened in June 2017, the new name of the library honors Claire Martin memory, a female author who lived in the Saint-Jean-Baptiste district. She died in 2014 at the age of 100.

The library is attracting more and more people thanks to a layout that combines modernity and heritage. It has become a cultural space with more computer stations and a new children’s area. Please note, currently available spaces are reduced during the health crisis.

As visitors to Quebec City, the Claire Martin Library teams will be happy to welcome you to this beautiful historic building.

In addition to a selection of books, magazines and newspapers available to consult on site, the library also offers printing and photocopying services (colors at $1.50, black and white at $0.20) and scanning (free). If you wish to have access to the computers, go to the service counter with your ID to obtain an “on-site services” access card. Your card number is required to log to the computer and the Internet for free. If you prefer to use your computer, wifi is available to work on site.

You can also admire the art exhibitions and/or participate in activities. To consult the program or make a reservation, visit the site https://www.bibliothequedequebec.qc.ca/activites

How to get to the Claire Martin Library at 755 Rue Saint-Jean, Québec, QC G1R 1R1?

We have calculated a 9-minute walk. Leaving the Hotel Manoir d’Auteuil, turn right to go to rue Saint-Jean then turn left. Walk along rue Saint-Jean. The library will be on your left.

For more information contact the library staff at (418) 641-6798

Opening hours

are Monday to Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Friday to Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

Schedules may change during public holidays.

It will be a pleasure to help you. Please call us at (418) 694-1173 or send us an email at reservations@manoirdauteuil.com