Strengthening Libraries to Build a Stronger Community
The History of the Friends
The initiative to start a Friends’ Group came from the Library Board in 1997. The Board hoped to develop a strong community group that would advocate for the Library and increase community support. As a result, past board members and interested individuals agreed to form a Steering Committee and develop a constitution. Following their hard work, the Friends of the Hamilton Public Library was formed in 1998 and incorporated in 1999.
In its first year of operation, the Friends opened a gift shop in the Lobby of the Central Library and began a variety of advocacy activities and fundraising events in support of the Library. The gift shop sales did not meet expectation and it was closed in 1999. From 1998-2002 the Hamilton Public Library, like many of the other City departments, faced funding pressures and cutbacks as the City tried to deal with costly provincial download and rising costs. The Friends lobbied local and provincial politicians and advocated to maintain a strong Hamilton Public Library. Their efforts were successful. But the need is ongoing.
In 2001, the City of Hamilton merged with the Regional Municipality of Hamilton Wentworth and as a result the two library systems were merged together. This lead to stronger ties between the Friends of the Dundas Library and the Friends of the Hamilton Public Library.
In its first year of operation, the Friends opened a gift shop in the Lobby of the Central Library and began a variety of advocacy activities and fundraising events in support of the Library. The gift shop sales did not meet expectation and it was closed in 1999. From 1998-2002 the Hamilton Public Library, like many of the other City departments, faced funding pressures and cutbacks as the City tried to deal with costly provincial download and rising costs. The Friends lobbied local and provincial politicians and advocated to maintain a strong Hamilton Public Library. Their efforts were successful. But the need is ongoing.
In 2001, the City of Hamilton merged with the Regional Municipality of Hamilton Wentworth and as a result the two library systems were merged together. This lead to stronger ties between the Friends of the Dundas Library and the Friends of the Hamilton Public Library.
Support the Friends
Website Developed and Donated by The DLD Group, Updated July 2011
