That's a wrap! Thanks to Ainara Alleyne, our first Junior Librarian in Residence for her time, energy and passion. Stay tuned for updates on how you can apply to be our next Junior Librarian in Residence. 

Hamilton Public Library welcomed our first Junior Librarian-in-eResidence, Ainara Alleyne from January 2021 to December 2021. She is a Grade 6 student who loves to read and recommend books that celebrate diversity and culture through characters and themes. 

Looking for school age reader recommendations? Complete the Which Book Next online form to receive Librarian approved print and/or digital materials. With over 67 hand-selected fiction and non-fiction titles, there’s a variety of books or eBooks for children and teens.

The achievements of Viola Desmond — the woman who appears on our $10 — is cause for celebration. Ainara explains why in this video. Learn more about Viola in this Discover at Home activity page.

Watch CBC's The National recent interview with the avid reader, at HPL's Turner Park Branch.
Ainara discusses how her love of reading has evolved and shaped her reading choices.

Learn more about Ainara in a recent CBC News article.

2021 Just One Wish Kindness Award Recipient

Congratulations to our 2021 Junior Librarian-in-eResidence, Ainara, who received a 2021 Just One Wish Kindness Award. The award recognizes Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board students age 4-18 who show kindness to themselves, peers, and the community.

Ainara, 12, is notable for creating Ainara’s Bookshelf on Instagram. Her mission: to find, read, recommend and celebrate books featuring diverse characters. Since January 2021 she has been doing the same as HPL’s Junior Librarian-in-eResidence.