Matthew Surridge

The 15th annual Scotiabank Giller Prize will be awarded on November 11, and the Westmount Public Library is hoping to raise awareness of Canada’s largest literary prize. For the second year, the library will be taking part in a Canada-wide Guess the Giller contest, in which contestants can vote for the book they think will win the $50 000 Giller prize. Correct guesses will be entered into a draw to win prizes including a trip for two to a literary festival, autographed copies of the short-listed Giller books, and gift certificates to Chapters.

“Last year was the first year we actually participated in the Guess the Giller contest, and the number of people who participated at the Westmount Library was third-highest across Canada,” said Outreach Librarian Donna Lach. “We had over 110 entries.”

To enter, contestants fill out an e-ballot online. A link on the Library web site will take people to the contest web page. “For the last three years, the book that’s been chosen by the people has been the book that wins,” observed Lach.

To highlight the Guess the Giller contest, the library is hosting a special version of its Readers to Readers book club. On Monday, October 20, at 10:15 a.m., five library staffers will take part in a public discussion, with each staff member championing a particular book on the Giller shortlist. Attendees are welcome to join in the discussion, weighing the strengths and weaknesses of the nominated books. The meeting is expected to last roughly one hour. Coffee and refreshments will be available.

During the discussion, Lach will defend Cockroach by Rawi Hage, which presents the life of an immigrant and thief during a winter month in Montreal. Front desk clerk Colette Connors will champion Through Black Spruce by Joseph Boyden, a novel about the relationship between a hospitalised Cree pilot and his niece. Children’s Librarian Wendy Wayling will defend Good to a Fault, by Marina Endicott, which tells the story of the surprising aftermath of a car accident. Front desk clerk Gayle White will take up the cause of Anthony Da Sa’s novel Barnacle Love, a collection of linked stories set across generations in Portugal and Canada. Librarian Mai Jay will argue for Boys in the Trees, by Mary Swan, a book which tells the tale of a crime in a small town and the psychological reaction among the townsfolk.

Lach noted that the discussion of the Giller helps to mark Public Library Week at the Westmount Library, kicking off a particularly active seven days. “Public Library Week happens to come on a week when all of our book clubs are meeting, so it’s a great week for people to come in and see what our clubs are like,” she said. “Every day that week, there’s something going on.”