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The earliest catalogues for the Mechanics' Institute were published in book format; later lists of books are in document format.  A catalogue from the Hemmingford Institute, whose library was related to the Montreal Institute’s, is located here as well.

The contents of this box were arranged at some earlier point in time to preserve early records generated through the creation of the Computer Centre at the Atwater Library. This includes hardware and software proposals, promotional materials, and course material for classes held in the Atwater Library Computer Centre.

Correspondence retained in the archives of the Atwater Library concerns a wide variety of topics.  The
original letter book of the Mechanics's Institute includes correspondence from 1841 to 1858.  Other
correspondence is from board members, library members, and the public at large.  It discusses lectures
at the library, hiring of personnel for the institute, proposed amalgamations between the Institute and
other institutions, legal matters, Annual General Meetings, and matters of general interest to the library
community.

As the contents of these files reveal, Daniel Lacelle was heavily involved with the Mechanics’ Institute from the period of 1983 to 1988, most notably as the Secretary of the General Board of Management. He held the position of Honorary Secretary for the year of 1984 and Secretary for 1985 and 1986. In 1985 and 1986 he was also a member of the Finance Sub-committee. In 1987 and 1988 he remained an Officer on the board.
These files were given to the Atwater Library in 1997 by Lafleur Brown, his former employer. The contents of these files are very revealing of the activities of the Institute during this period, especially due to Mr. Lacelle’s legal expertise. He was very involved in several legal matters and retained paperwork documenting by-law changes, the activities surrounding the start-up of the Computer Centre, the process of applying for tax-exemption, and several hiring processes of staff members for the library. He also kept meeting minutes and Annual Reports, as well as handwritten notes taken during meetings. Some lists of members during this period can be found in these files. As well, copies of the 1845 Act of Incorporation and the original Deed of Sale for the property the Atwater Library presently owns are in these files.

This file includes receipts, cheques, bank slips, balance sheets, income tax records, inventories, property evaluations, and other loose documents of a financial nature.  This file also includes bound lists of investments and an invoice book.

Financial records related to the Atwater Library and Computer Centre.

The Financial Statements are arranged chronologically from 1921 to 1986; after 1986 they are separated into financial statements for the library and for the computer centre, in folders designated "Library" and "Computer" respectively.

Records and receipts of donations to the Mechanics’ Institute of Montreal from 1968 to 1982.

Records relating to the heritage of the Atwater Library and Computer Centre including scrapbooks (1902-2000), history, academic research, and printing blocks.

The History file contains several histories published by the Institute itself, as well as histories and research papers by other individuals not directly related to the organization.  This file also contains historic membership cards and certificates, and stationary published by the Institute for its own use.