Hamilton Public Library's free access to museum program extended another two years

The Hamilton Public Library's innovative pilot program to provide free access to the city's museums using its library card has been approved for another two years.

The program, launched in early 2019, was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 when the majority of the city's museums were closed.

Carrie Brooks-Joiner, director of tourism and culture, said staff was recommending the program be extended until 2024 so we can operate the program and collect data and report back" to councillors. The general issues committee approved June 15 extending the program.

Library chief executive officer Paul Takala said during the limited time the program was offered, residents flocked to the museums using a library card.

We started to see some really good benefits," said Takala. It's all about access to culture and why museums have supported this. We all benefit when our residents learn more about our culture, our history."

More than 12,292 Hamilton residents visited museums with library cards from Feb. 19, 2019, to Jan. 31, 2020, before the pandemic shut down city facilities in March 2020. And staff stated that there was only a minor negative impact" on admission revenue, which was recouped through merchandise sales and paid ticketed events.

Ian Kerr-Wilson, manager of heritage resource management at the time, estimated the pilot program would cost the city about $7,000 for one year.

It is estimated there are about 180,000 Hamilton library card holders, according to a 2018 study conducted by the Social Planning and Research Council. Since the study, it is assumed the number has increased.

The library also saw a positive trend with a 48 per cent increase in new card registrations that were directly connected to allowing free civic museum access.

The free access - excluding special events - allowed card holders to visit Dundurn National Historic Museum, Fieldcote Memorial Park and Museum and Griffin House Museum in Ancaster, the Hamilton Children's Museum, Whitehern Historic House and Garden, the Hamilton Museum of Steam and Technology and Battlefield House Museum and Park in Stoney Creek.

Takala said in one example a young child brought his grandfather to the library so he could sign up for a card.

They could then go to the museums and explore them together," said Takala. We had teens going to museums after school by themselves, which is something that traditionally has not been a regular activity."

Hamilton had already offered free passes to library card holders to museums over a two-week period. Other cities have similar programs, including in Ottawa, Kingston, Vancouver and Toronto.

This is just an amazing project," said Flamborough Coun. Judi Partridge, who is also a library board member. The numbers are still impressive."

Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger, who also backed the project, said the true value of the pilot program has yet to be identified.

We have not been able to execute and realize the benefits fully," he said.