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The Hamilton Public Library was established in 1889. The Canadiana Collection was created in 1914 to house rare and interesting examples of early Canadian books and the local history collection. The Special Collections Department was formed in 1974 to bring together the following collections: Canadiana, Hamilton, Archives and Rare Books. It was at this time that the department began the practice of actively acquiring these types of materials, both from within the Hamilton Public Library system and from outside sources. In 1980, when the Central Library relocated to the newly-constructed building at 55 York Boulevard, the collection was moved to its current location on the third floor. Climate-controlled book vaults contain the collections. The name of the department was changed to Local History & Archives during Heritage Week 2008. The public reading room of Local History & Archives is named the Waldon Room in honour of long-serving Chief Librarian, Dr. Freda Farrell Waldon (1898-1973).  Information Staff is available to assist you during Central Library open hours.