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Côte Saint-Luc Public Library receives $500,000 from philanthropist Roslyn Margles in support of Children’s Library

The City of Côte Saint-Luc has received the largest individual donation in its history, which will be used to further literacy for children and young adults at its public library. 

Philanthropist Roslyn Margles is donating a total of $500,000 to the Eleanor London Côte Saint-Luc Public Library. The donation includes $200,000 to be used by the public library as needed, and $300,000 portion to be used to create an endowment fund, which will be used exclusively to further literacy for children and young adults including a children’s writing contest to be named the Roslyn and Max Margles Literacy Contest. The endowment fund will be administered by the Jewish Community Foundation of Montreal.  

The Children’s Library will be formally named the Bibliothèque des jeunes Max Margles Children’s Library. Max Margles is the late husband of Roslyn Margles. 

The official renaming and celebration will be held on Sunday, September 18 between 10 am and 12 pm. at the Bibliothèque des jeunes Max Margles Children’s Library, which is located within the Eleanor London Côte Saint-Luc Public Library. Parents are invited to bring their children as a number of activities for children are planned.  

Quotations 

“The Eleanor London Côte Saint-Luc Public Library has a deserved reputation for excellence. The donation and endowment fund will make our cherished public library even better. As a new grandparent, I am thrilled that Roslyn Margles has chosen to generously donate to what we are honoured to call the Bibliothèque des jeunes Max Margles Children’s Library.” 
– Mayor Mitchell Brownstein, Mayor of Côte Saint-Luc 
 

“This is very exciting announcement for our city and library to make. We have many more such naming rights opportunities in the city and we certainly hope others in our community will follow the lead of Ms. Margles.” 
– Councillor Mike Cohen, Council link to the Eleanor London Côte Saint-Luc Public Library Public Library   

 
“The ever-growing use of technological devices by children in school and at home has, indeed, had an effect on reading and learning. Studies have concluded that using computers is excellent for developing computer literacy, but, alas, not literacy in reading, comprehension, and vocabulary. Over usage can have negative consequences. My gift will help the Max Margles Children’s Library provide additional quality children’s and young adult programs aimed to stimulate imagination and creativity, broaden horizons, foster empathy, and develop a lifetime love of reading books. Always important goals, but more so when faced with the current rapid advancements in computers and other electronic systems.” 
– Roslyn Margles 
 

“Children and teens make up approximately 26 percent of our library membership and check out 41 percent of the library’s total circulation. This generous endowment from Mrs. Margles will ensure that our literacy programming for children and teens will flourish, enabling us to offer more impactful and engaging activities that will foster a love of reading that lasts a lifetime.”  
– Janine West, Director of the Eleanor London Côte Saint-Luc Public Library