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| The Wentworth County Cooperative Library was founded in 1948 and soon had branches in all the small communities surrounding Hamilton and Dundas. | The Wentworth County Cooperative Library was founded in 1948 and soon had branches in all the small communities surrounding Hamilton and Dundas. | ||
| On January 1, 2001 the Hamilton Public Library amalgamated with the two local library systems to become the new Hamilton Public Library in the new City of Hamilton. Today, the Hamilton Public Library |
On January 1, 2001 the Hamilton Public Library amalgamated with the two local library systems to become the new Hamilton Public Library in the new City of Hamilton. Today, the Hamilton Public Library serves the community through 24 locations, a virtual branch (www.hpl.ca) and two Bookmobiles. | ||
| ==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 23:02, 5 February 2007
The Hamilton Public Library is a public library in the city of Hamilton, Ontario. A public vote was held on January 7, 1889 to establish the library, and a board of directors was formed the following month. Richard Lancefield was selected as the first chief librarian on March 7. Construction of the library began in the Fall, with the cornerstone of the original library building being laid on October 23. The library was officially opened in a ceremony presided over by Lord and Lady Aberdeen on September 16, 1890.
The library flourished in the early years of the twentieth century and on May 7, 1908 the first branch library was opened on Barton Street East.The Library Board began looking at building a new Main Library and, after receiving a grant from Andrew Carnegie of New York, constructed a new building on the south side of Main Street West, across the street and west of the original building. The new Main Library was officially opened by the Lieutenant Governor , Sir John Morrison Gibson on May 5, 1913.
This library served Hamilton well for the next six decades. In the 1960’s a drive began to find a new location for a larger library. A location was found in the civic square development and construction began. In May of 1980 H.R.H. the Prince Philip officially opened the new building and in October of 1980 a new Central Library was opened in Lloyd D. Jackson Square.
The Dundas Public Library had a much longer history than Hamilton as they had their first circulating library (started by William Lyon Mackenzie) operating in 1822. The Dundas Mechanics’ Institute was incorporated in 1857 and in 1883 became the Dundas Public Library.
The Wentworth County Cooperative Library was founded in 1948 and soon had branches in all the small communities surrounding Hamilton and Dundas.
On January 1, 2001 the Hamilton Public Library amalgamated with the two local library systems to become the new Hamilton Public Library in the new City of Hamilton. Today, the Hamilton Public Library serves the community through 24 locations, a virtual branch (www.hpl.ca) and two Bookmobiles.
References