Jewish Public Library

The Jewish Public Library (JPL) is a public library located in Montreal, and a constituent agency of Federation CJA. The library contains the largest circulating Judaica collection in North America. Founded in 1914, the JPL has close to 5,900 members, and receives 700 to 800 visitors weekly. It is independent from the network of public libraries on the island of Montreal and receives its funding from the Montreal Jewish community, membership fees, donations and endowments. Founded in 1914, the library's early history is grounded in the Yiddish-speaking immigrants who fled Europe at the turn of the 20th century. The early homes of the JPL were in rented cold water flats on St. Urbain Street and, for 20 years, on the corner of rue...