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Hamilton Public Library |
Opened 5 May 1913 |
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Following the example of the Toronto reference library (1909), Hamilton library trustees decided also to serve residents in the city core by providing reference and circulating services from a central library. A Carnegie promise of $75,000 was received on 23 March 1909; this amount was increased to $100,000 in 1911. The building cornerstone was laid on 1 August 1911 and the library opened in May 1913 with the Lieutenant-Governor in attendance.
As originally conceived in 1911/12, the lower floor held a ladies' reading room, children's room, and men's reading room. The main floor provided open access to book stacks and to a reference room. The interior featured coffered ceilings and marble decoration. This building was renovated in 1952 and served as Hamilton's central library until 1980.
Source: National Archives of Canada, PA-43605
Interior browsing alcove in new-decorated main library, c.1952. (Source: Report of the Minister of Education, Ontario, 1952)
