Internet Archive Declares Hamilton Public Library Director an Internet Hero

HAMILTON, ON – October 27, 2021 – Lisa Radha Weaver, Director of Collections and Program Development, Hamilton Public Library is an Internet Hero and has an award from the U.S.-based Internet Archive to prove it.

Milton Public Library’s Manager Support Services, Kanta Kapoor, was also honoured as an Internet Hero at a virtual ceremony Oct 20.

Since 1996, the Internet Archive has steadily worked to build a digital library from contributors around the world, to ensure free access to publications, cultural artifacts and more for all.

Both Weaver and Kapoor were early adopters of Controlled Digital Lending (CDL), which offers secured digital access to physical books a library owns, to one user at a time. For example, in May, Weaver oversaw a donation of 1,000 books about 18th and 19th Century theatre previously housed in HPL’s special collections.

“CDL removes barriers to access collections. With one library card, users have access to a worldwide library, not just your local branch, system, region, province, state or country,” Weaver said. "I believe the library should be there for everyone, where they are and when they need it."

Past Internet Heroes include Massachusetts’ Phillips Academy, the Biodiversity Heritage Library, and the Grateful Dead.