Westmount Public Library
Westmount Public Library is a municipal public library founded in 1897 in Westmount, Quebec, serving residents with free physical and digital collections, makerspace facilities, and community programming, funded primarily through municipal taxes and supplemented by non-resident membership fees.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1897
- HeadquartersWestmount, Canada
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Westmount Public Library does
Westmount Public Library is a municipal public library founded in 1897 to commemorate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, operating under the City of Westmount in Quebec, Canada. It serves the residents of Westmount and, since the 2002 Montreal municipal merger, all citizens of the Island of Montreal, with a current membership exceeding 14,181. The library operates from a single location at 4574 Sherbrooke Street West and is governed by a Public Library Committee consisting of two City Councillors and four citizen trustees.
The library delivers services through a combination of physical collections, digital platforms, and community programming. Core technology includes the Iguana library management system, a custom mobile application for iOS and Android, and integration with third-party digital content providers (OverDrive, Kanopy, PressReader, Prêt numérique, TumbleBookLibrary, Rosetta Stone, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Gale, ProQuest, and others). The Studio is an in-house makerspace equipped with 3D printers (Ultimaker S5, Bambu Lab H2D), a Cricut Maker 3, audio/video recording equipment, sewing and embroidery machines, and robotics tools. Special collections including the Postcard Collection (13,000+ items), Children's Historical Collection (1,200+ books), Jung Collection (400+ books), and Westmount local history archives constitute unique content assets.
Revenue is derived primarily from municipal tax funding from the City of Westmount, supplemented by tiered non-resident membership fees ($60-$245 annually), donations and planned giving programs, transaction-based fees for printing and 3D printing materials, and fundraising from the Friends of the Westmount Public Library volunteer organization. In January 2023, the library implemented a fine-free policy to remove barriers to access, and in 2025 it received the John Cotton Dana Award from the American Library Association for its 125th Anniversary campaign. The library serves customer segments including Westmount residents, non-resident members, children and families, teenagers, homebound residents, and adult learners through specialized programming, school partnerships, and outreach services.
Westmount Public Library firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Westmount Public Library
- Legal name
- Westmount Public Library
- Website
- https://westlib.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1897
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Westmount Public Library is a municipal public library founded in 1897 in Westmount, Quebec, serving residents with free physical and digital collections, makerspace facilities, and community programming, funded primarily through municipal taxes and supplemented by non-resident membership fees.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Westmount Public Library industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Library Services
- NAICS
- Libraries and Archives (51921), Libraries and Archives (519210), Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services (519), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Public Libraries & Information Services (BPAIACAO)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management (EDAEAGAC), Digital Library & Electronic Resources Operations (e-Resources, Repositories, Licensing) (EDAEAGAF), Library Collections & Cataloging Services (Acquisitions, Metadata, Circulation) (EDAEAGAE), Library User Services & Information Support (Reference, Research Help, Instruction Support) (EDAEAGAL), Libraries, Archives & Special Collections (BPAGAHAF)
Keywords
Where Westmount Public Library is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Westmount
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Westmount Public Library business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Municipal Government Funding: Public library funded primarily through municipal taxes from the City of Westmount, providing core services at no cost to residents.
- Non-Resident Membership Fees: Annual fees charged to non-residents: $160 individual, $85 for 6 months, $70 for seniors 65+, $60 for students, $245 for families. Revenue supports library operations.
- Donations and Planned Giving: Cash donations accepted from the public; tax receipts issued for donations of $25 and over. Legacy/donor programs including tribute gifts and planned bequests.
- Fines and Replacement Fees: Fine-free policy implemented January 2023; fees still apply for lost or damaged items including $10 processing fee plus replacement cost, $200 for Book Club in a Bag kits.
- Printing and Material Fees: Fees for printing (15¢/page B&W, 30¢/page color), 3D printing materials, Cricut materials, buttons, and other studio consumables.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Annual | Free membership for Westmount residents, business owners, and Westmount school students/teachers |
| Subscription | Annual | Non-resident individual annual membership |
| Subscription | Annual | Non-resident senior (65+) annual membership |
| Subscription | Annual | Non-resident student annual membership |
| Subscription | Annual | Non-resident family annual membership |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Studio material fees |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Public computer printing fees |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Westmount Public Library product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Westmount Public Library is a municipal public library providing free access to physical and digital collections, including books, eBooks, audiobooks, DVDs, music, and streaming media (Kanopy, OverDrive, PressReader). It also offers research databases, special historical collections, a Studio makerspace equipped with 3D printers and creative tools, programming for all ages, home library delivery, and seed lending services to the community of Westmount and non-resident members.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- WPL Mobile App
- TD Summer Reading Club
- Library Membership and Book Lending
- Digital Media Streaming Services
- Research Databases and Encyclopedias
- The Studio Makerspace
- Special Collections
- Home Library Service
- Seed Lending Library
- Portrait Sonore Audio Tour
Quantifiable outcome
- Fine-free policy has reduced barriers to service
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Westmount Public Library
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Westmount Public Library technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration20 records
Feature4 records
Westmount Public Library partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Alzheimer Society of MontrealcoreCollaborative partner for the Tales & Travels Series, a weekly activity program for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. The program simulates travel to foreign countries through books, images, music, and videos, with themed snacks.
- Portrait SonoreminorNot-for-profit cultural organization that created the Library's Portrait Sonore audio documentary experience. Founded in 2013 by Sophie Mankovski, Antoine Bédard, and Serge Rhéaume. Project funded by a generous donation from the estate of Frances Jessie Hodge.
- TD BankcoreTitle sponsor of the TD Summer Reading Club, a national program developed by Toronto Public Library in partnership with Library and Archives Canada. WPL participates annually with the 'Dive In!' themed program.
- Friends of the Westmount Public LibrarycoreNon-profit volunteer group formed in February 2000 to stimulate interest in library resources and raise funds. Operates semi-annual book sales; proceeds fund new materials and services. Also sponsors TumbleBookLibrary and TumbleBookCloud.
- Toronto Public LibrarycoreDeveloped the TD Summer Reading Club program that libraries across Canada participate in. WPL participates annually as a local host site.
- Library and Archives CanadacoreNational partner in the TD Summer Reading Club program alongside Toronto Public Library and title sponsor TD Bank.
- C.G. Jung Society of MontrealminorThe Jung Collection of over 400 books about Jungian psychology is housed at WPL on behalf of the Society. Collection is accessible to anyone and borrowable by library members.
- Local Westmount SchoolscorePartnership with Westmount schools (École Saint-Léon-de-Westmount, Roslyn School, Westmount Park School, École internationale de Montréal, Westmount High School, Akiva School, Miss Edgar's and Miss Cramp's, Selwyn House, The Study, etc.) for reading lists, school visits, and educational programs.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Westmount Public Library competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Toronto Public Library: Canada's largest public library system. Directly comparable as a municipal public library; specifically identified as a partner that developed the TD Summer Reading Club in which WPL participates.
- Bibliothèques de Montréal (Montreal Public Library): Municipal public library network serving the City of Montreal. Directly comparable as a French/English public library system; notably, the 2002 Montreal merger opened WPL memberships to all Montreal Island residents.
- Town of Mount Royal Public Library: Small Quebec municipal public library with reciprocal memberships with WPL (1974). Directly comparable in scale, mandate, and Quebec municipal context.
- LaSalle Public Library: Quebec municipal public library with historical reciprocal membership agreement with WPL (1974). Directly comparable as a small French/English public library on the Island of Montreal.
- Vancouver Public Library: Major Canadian urban public library with strong digital and streaming service offerings. Comparable in service mix (digital lending, programming, special collections) to WPL.
- New York Public Library: Major urban public library with extensive programming, makerspaces, and digital lending. Comparable as a flagship public library offering modern library services at scale, a relevant benchmark for WPL's Studio and digital stack.
- Boston Public Library: Large U.S. urban public library with long history, special collections, programming, and digital lending. Comparable as a publicly funded public library with differentiated collections and community programming.
Broad incumbents
- Library and Archives Canada: National library and archives institution; named partner of WPL in the TD Summer Reading Club. Comparable as a publicly funded information-services institution but operates nationally rather than municipally.
Others
- OverDrive / Libby: Digital content platform used by WPL for eBook, eAudiobook, and eMagazine lending. Comparable as a vendor enabling the digital service component of WPL's offering rather than as a competing library.
- Kanopy: Film-streaming platform that powers WPL's film-streaming service (18 credits/month per member). Adjacent ecosystem partner rather than a peer library.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Westmount Public Library financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Westmount Public Library leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles14 records
Westmount Public Library funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Westmount Public Library M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Westmount Public Library
What does Westmount Public Library do?
Westmount Public Library is a municipal public library providing free access to physical and digital collections, including books, eBooks, audiobooks, DVDs, music, and streaming media (Kanopy, OverDrive, PressReader). It also offers research databases, special historical collections, a Studio makerspace equipped with 3D printers and creative tools, programming for all ages, home library delivery, and seed lending services to the community of Westmount and non-resident members.
Is Westmount Public Library a public or private company?
Westmount Public Library is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Westmount Public Library founded?
Westmount Public Library was founded in 1897.
Where is Westmount Public Library based?
Westmount Public Library is headquartered in Westmount, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Westmount Public Library make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Municipal Government Funding is the primary driver. The others are non-Resident Membership Fees, donations and Planned Giving, fines and Replacement Fees and printing and Material Fees.
Who are Westmount Public Library's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Toronto Public Library, Bibliothèques de Montréal (Montreal Public Library), Town of Mount Royal Public Library, LaSalle Public Library, Vancouver Public Library, New York Public Library and Boston Public Library. Library and Archives Canada is listed as a broad incumbent. Others are OverDrive / Libby and Kanopy.
Does Westmount Public Library have an API?
No public API is recorded for Westmount Public Library.
What industry is Westmount Public Library in?
Westmount Public Library's product category is Public Library Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIACAO, Public Libraries & Information Services, with a secondary code of EDAEAGAC, Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management. Its NAICS code is 51921.