Toronto Mechanics' Institute

In 1853 the Institute erected a new permanent home at the corner of Church and Adelaide Streets, but it struggled to attract new paying members.

Hallam brought the initiative to a public referendum, and the citizens of Toronto voted in its favour on January 1, 1883.

As chief librarian, he focused on building the library's special collection documenting Canadian history.

He also applied to Andrew Carnegie for a grant to build more branches and to replace the Mechanics' Institute as the central reference library.

Today a condominium complex (84 Adelaide Street East) stands on the site, although it is marked with a heritage plaque.