A week to discover your library. From October 17 to 24, 2026, public libraries across Quebec celebrate the 28th Public Libraries Week (Semaine des bibliothèques publiques), according to the event's official site, which is in French only. This year's theme, "Ma biblio : de tout, partout, pour tout le monde" (My library: everything, everywhere, for everyone), sums up the idea well: the library is not just a place to borrow books.
Who organizes it and what to expect. The event is organized by the Association des bibliothèques publiques du Québec (ABPQ), with Bibliopresto, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (BAnQ) and the Réseau BIBLIO du Québec. Each library puts together its own program, and the idea is the same everywhere: to showcase the services public libraries offer for free. Activities therefore vary from town to town; check directly with your local library.
Why it's a good way in. A municipal library card is free for residents: you usually just need a piece of ID and proof of address in the municipality. Beyond books, many libraries lend films, music and games, and offer children's activities, computer stations and workspaces. Our guide to libraries in Quebec covers how to sign up and everything you can do there.
Good to know for newcomers. The library is one of the few public places where you can spend hours without paying anything, and an ideal spot to practise French at your own pace, surrounded by books and children's picture books. If you don't have a card yet, the Week is a perfect excuse to walk through the door. In Quebec, people commonly say "la biblio" for the library.
