Hilary Bates Neary has been a librarian trustee, as well as a researcher, editor, and writer of Ontario history. In the 1970s, she contributed to Ontario History's "Book Notes," and edited, along with Robert Sherman, the Index to the Publications of the Ontario Historical Society, 1899-1972. More recently, she co-edited with Michael Baker both London Street Names (2003), 100 Fascinating Londoners (2005) for James Lorimer & Company. She is the chair of the Historic Sites Committee of the London Public Library Board.