For more than twelve years, the Christopher Cutler Memorial Little Library has been a symbol of our Rotary Club’s commitment to literacy, ensuring that every child has free and barrier-free access to books. Throughout the summer, we wanted to provide our community with an update on the future of this much-loved neighbourhood resource.
Following our meeting with representatives of the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board, the Rotary Club of Hamilton formally requested written confirmation from the Director of Education regarding the Board’s decision requiring the Little Library to be removed from the property at Cathy Wever School. To date, we have not received a response to that request.
Our understanding remains that the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board has not changed its position and has not reconsidered the alternative solutions and operational options presented by Rotary that would have allowed the Christopher Cutler Memorial Little Library to remain at its current location.
While this has been disappointing, what has inspired us most has been the incredible response from our community. We have had many offers to host the little library infront of businesses, organizations and private residential properties near the school.
Over the past several weeks, the Christopher Cutler Memorial Little Library has experienced unprecedented use. Families continue to visit daily, children eagerly search for their next book, and community members have generously donated books to help keep the shelves full. The outpouring of encouragement, support, and appreciation has reaffirmed just how important this literacy initiative has become to the neighbourhood.
The Rotary Club of Hamilton remains firmly committed to the vision established when the Little Library was created in 2014—to provide children, youth, and families with free access to books, encourage reading together at home, and help build personal home libraries.
We are pleased to share that Rotary is actively working with the City of Hamilton to identify a new permanent home for the Christopher Cutler Memorial Little Library. Current discussions include locations near the Pinky Lewis Recreation Centre or within one of the neighbourhood parks that are regularly used by local children, youth, and families. Our goal is to ensure the Little Library remains easily accessible to the community it has faithfully served for more than a decade.
To prepare for its next chapter, the Little Library is expected to be removed from its current location in mid-August. During this time, the structure will undergo a complete refurbishment and refresh, ensuring it is ready to continue serving the community for many years to come.
A new location will be announced in September.
To celebrate this exciting new beginning, the Rotary Club of Hamilton will host a Community Literacy Celebration to officially relaunch the Christopher Cutler Memorial Little Library. The event will feature free books for children and youth, literacy activities, and an opportunity for families and community partners to celebrate the continued importance of reading, learning, and community togetherness.
We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who has shared their support, encouragement, and love for the Christopher Cutler Memorial Little Library. Your voices have demonstrated that access to books truly matters.
The Rotary Club of Hamilton remains committed to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to discover the joy of reading. While the Little Library may soon have a new address, its purpose—and our commitment to literacy—remains unchanged.
Together, we will continue building a stronger community, one book at a time.