La bibliothèque Georgette-Lepage — porte d'entrée vers les services de la ville.
1. Why start with the library
The Georgette-Lepage library is one of the best entry points to discover Brossard. All services are free for residents: book and film loans, internet access, French-language workshops, computer stations, study rooms. You'll also meet your first neighbours there.
2. Address and opening hours
The Georgette-Lepage library is located at 7855 avenue San-Francisco, next to City Hall. It is usually open Monday to Saturday, and closed Sunday. Hours change in summer — always check brossard.ca before going.
3. What you can borrow
With your BCITI card, you borrow for free:
- Books in French and English — adults, teens and children
- Magazines and newspapers
- Films and series on DVD or via streaming
- Audiobooks and music sheets
- Board games
- E-readers and tablets
Loan duration is usually three weeks, renewable online if no one else has reserved the item.
4. Activities and workshops
The City of Brossard offers hundreds of activities each season: swimming, hockey, soccer, yoga, dance, French classes, art workshops, talks. Many activities are free or very cheap for residents. Registration is always through BCITI — the resident card is mandatory.
5. Services for newcomers
The library regularly organizes activities for new residents: guided tours in easy French, conversation workshops, help writing a Quebec-style résumé, information sessions on city services. These activities are free and often need no registration.
6. Study rooms and internet access
If you work remotely or are job hunting, the library provides:
- Free Wi-Fi throughout the building
- Computer stations with low-cost printing
- Study rooms for individuals or groups — book online
- A quiet zone for reading and studying
It's a great alternative to a paid café for your Zoom calls and work sessions.
7. Comparing services at a glance
The Georgette-Lepage library bundles services that elsewhere would be spread across separate buildings. Here is a recap of the main offerings and when each is most useful.
This grid highlights a key point: the BCITI card is the master key that unlocks nearly everything. Without it, you stay in the basic service — Wi-Fi and on-site consultation.
With it, you access loans, activity registration, and bookable rooms. The application is free for residents and done online at brossard.ca. Allow a few minutes for the form and a quick visit to verify your identity with proof of residence.
| Service | Access | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|
| Book and film loans | BCITI card | Reading, entertainment, language |
| Computer stations | BCITI card | Online procedures, printing |
| Study rooms | Online booking | Remote work, study, meetings |
| Free Wi-Fi | No registration | Remote work, troubleshooting |
| Activities for new residents | Often no registration | Practising French, meeting people |
| City courses and workshops | Registration via BCITI | Sport, art, French classes |
| E-readers and tablets | BCITI card | Travel, trying a device |
| Board games | BCITI card | Family, evenings with friends |
8. Tips for using the library in your first week
A few simple habits maximize the library's usefulness in your first weeks in Brossard:
- Apply for your BCITI card on arrival — free, and required for nearly everything.
- Register each child with their own BCITI account — otherwise you won't be able to sign them up for an activity when slots open.
- Look out for free conversation workshops if you're working on your French.
- Mark seasonal registration opening dates on your calendar — spring, summer, fall, winter.
9. Frequently asked questions
The most common questions from new Brossard residents about the library and leisure activities: how to get the BCITI card, whether non-residents can borrow books, how late fees work, and what to do if a class is full.
How do I get my BCITI card quickly?
The application is done online at brossard.ca. You complete a short form, attach proof of residence — recent utility bill, lease, government document showing your Brossard address — and confirm an email address.
After validation, the card is usually issued within a few business days. For each child, create a separate profile linked to your account so you can register them for activities under their own name. Without an active card, the library and the city's leisure portal stay limited to basic services.
Can non-residents borrow books from the library?
Yes, but the conditions differ. A non-resident can usually open a paid account at modest annual cost — the city publishes the exact rate on its website.
Visitors and people just passing through can also consult on site, use the Wi-Fi and access certain digital resources without registration. For residents, on the other hand, all loans and registrations are free. If you have just arrived and don't yet have proof of residence, ask at reception — staff sometimes accept a temporary attestation while waiting for your lease or first bill.
How do late fees work?
The library generally sends an email reminder a few days before the due date. If you can't return on time, renew online via your BCITI account — provided no one else has reserved the item, renewal is automatic and free.
Late returns can trigger small fees and a temporary block on borrowing if amounts pile up. For damaged or lost items, the library bills the replacement cost. Best practice: turn on email reminders, check your account once a week, and report any problem at reception rather than waiting.
What do I do if the class I want to register for is full?
Most popular activities offer a waiting list directly via BCITI. Register on it as soon as the class shows full — cancellations happen, often in the days before the start, and waiting-list members get notified by email or text.
If a similar activity exists in another nearby city, residents of certain municipalities of the South Shore sometimes have access to neighbouring offerings on a friendly tariff. And note the next registration opening date — the same class usually returns the next season, sometimes with extra slots if demand was strong.
10. See also
To make the most of your BCITI card:
- Read our guide to the BCITI card in Brossard to get and validate your card before the next registration wave.
- Explore our parks and outdoor activities in Brossard to enjoy Parc de la Cité and neighbourhood skating rinks.
- Prepare for the school year with registering your child for school in Brossard to combine school, daycare and BCITI activities.
11. Official sources
For official, up-to-date information, see these pages:
You can also call the info-leisure line at 450 923-6311.
Author's Note: The library is probably the best time investment for a newcomer to Brossard — it's free, welcoming, and you meet people there. Go in your first week, even just to scope out the place.
