I felt it was important to create a sequel to my original blog, Our Library—Food for the Soul due to the many favourable comments and questions from my readers. Many were wondering if there is mention and attention brought to the names of the three women, Elizabeth Wallace, Edith King and Olive Cormier who initiated the creation of our library. As I am certain you are all aware that the title, Memorial, is no longer part of its official name. There are two plaques installed in the main entrance. One of the plaques pays tribute to the three foundresses of the library and the second commemorates the inauguration of the building at the present address.
Volunteers continue to be involved with our library. Created in 1995, The Friends of the Saint-Lambert Library Foundation is an independent non-profit organization whose mission is to further the advancement and development of the library. Among their numerous activities, one is to raise funds through several book sales in the summer and during Saint-Lambert Days; they now have a permanent shelf in the library for books on sale. In 2017, Mr. Issac Yung Zung Zia, a former resident and library patron, was honoured with a Grand Lambertois award for the exceptional bequest of more than 1 million dollars to the Friends of the Saint Lambert Library Foundation. Together with a financial contribution from the City of Saint Lambert, library renovations and major improvements were made possible. Mr. Zia’s belief in his neighbourhood library as a cultural hub for the community was truly exceptional.
We should be honoured that our library is situated in front of Mercille Park. In 1919, on the closest Sunday to November 11th, Remembrance Day, the City of St. Lambert first remembered the sacrifice its citizens had made during the First World War. A statue by artist Emmanuel Otto Han was offered to the City by General Arthur Currie, a pivotal figure in Canada’s war effort during the First World War. The monument initially commemorated the soldiers who lost their lives in the First World War. A plaque was added after the Second World War to commemorate those who died in that war. Every year in November, there is a service in the park on Remembrance Day. I for one, cannot help but be proud of what Mercille Park signifies.