Due to winter weather conditions, Hamilton Public Library is adjusting operations across the system today.
The following branches open 1-4PM today:
- Central Library
- Dundas Branch
- Red Hill Branch
- Terryberry Branch
Delayed Branch Openings and Early Closure
Published:
Sunday, January 25, 2026 - 9:45am
Ancaster Branch Accessible Washroom Out of Order
The accessible washroom at Ancaster Branch is not working. We aim to get it fixed quickly.
Published:
Friday, January 23, 2026 - 9:00am
Bookmobile Stops Cancelled
The Winona (11am-12pm) and Queen Victoira (3-4pm) Bookmobile stop on January 23 is cancelled. Apologies for this inconvenience.
Published:
Friday, January 23, 2026 - 8:30am
Cold Weather Alert for the City of Hamilton
Cold Weather Alert for the City of Hamilton January 22, 2026.
The temperature is expected to plummet below minus 15 Celsius. For warm place hours visit hpl.ca/hours.
For a list of shelters and health information visit www.hamilton.ca/cold.
Published:
Thursday, January 22, 2026 - 5:00pm
Locke Branch - Filming Nearby
Filming will take place at 86 Homewood Avenue from January 28-30, 7 am-11 pm. Production vehicles and equipment will be located on the north side of Stanley Avenue between Locke Street South and Kent Street. This will impact the availability of side-street parking. Thank you for your patience.
Published:
Thursday, January 22, 2026 - 3:00pm
Central Library - Sunday Hours Paused
Effective Sunday, February 1, Sunday service hours at Central Library will be paused.
Sunday Hours will continue at Dundas, Red Hill, Terryberry, Turner Park, Valley Park and Waterdown Branches from 1-5pm.
Published:
Wednesday, January 21, 2026 - 11:00am
Central Library - Daily Hours Update
Starting Monday, February 2, Central Library's daily hours will move back to a 9 am opening instead of 8 am, Monday through Saturday. Please make note of this new service change for your next visit. www.hpl.ca/hours
Published:
Wednesday, January 21, 2026 - 11:00am
Central Library – Digital Microfilm Machines
The digital microfilm machines at Central Library are not working. A single analog machine is available in the Local History and Archives Reading Room. This reader does not support printing. We apologize for the inconvenience and aim to have the digital devices repaired as soon as possible.
Published:
Monday, January 19, 2026 - 1:45pm
Online Resources - Update
The following eResources have been recently discontinued in our HPL collections: Novelist, Summa, Summa Kids, and Northstar Digital Literacy. Please visit www.hpl.ca/articles/read-watch-listen for our full listing of online resources for your next read, watch, listen and/or learn.
Published:
Wednesday, January 7, 2026 - 11:00am
Printing Updates
Daily print balances for black and white and colour printing change January 2, 2026. The new daily print balance is 40 cents. Members receive four free black and white copies or two free colour copies.
Large format and vinyl printing pricing also change on January 2. Visit https://www.hpl.ca/makerspaces for updates.
Published:
Monday, December 22, 2025 - 2:00pm
Replacement and Damage Fees
Bring back your borrowed library items within 28 days to avoid a replacement or lost fee. We'll remove the fee when you bring back your overdue items.
Published:
Thursday, September 11, 2025 - 3:00pm
Chronology of Cities, Towns and Townships in Hamilton
Townships in Wentworth County
This information contains a chronology of Cities, Towns and Townships in Hamilton, from their original survey and naming through to the present City of Hamilton.
Chronology
1788-1793
The townships at the Head-of-the-Lake were surveyed and named.
1802
The Home and Niagara Districts were created.
The Niagara District consisted of the Counties of Lincoln (four ridings) and Haldimand. This district included much of what became Wentworth County.
The Home District consisted of the County of York including the west riding which held the townships of Beverly and Flamborough.
1816
On March 22, 1816, a new district was created out of the old divisions of the Home and Niagara Districts. The new Gore District was named after Sir Francis Gore (1769-1852), Lieutenant-Governor of the colony. This district consisted of the two counties of Wentworth and Halton. At this time the boundaries of Wentworth County were not yet permanently fixed so it was determined that Wentworth would encompass the Townships of Saltfleet, Barton, Binbrook, Glanford, Ancaster and “so much of the County of Haldimand as lies between Dundas Street and the Village of Onondaga”.
1841
Act 4, Victoria established District Councils in Upper Canada.
1842
The first elections were held and 26 citizens were chosen to represent the townships of Gore.
1850
The Baldwin Municipal Act was passed.
This replaced the 1841 Act and replaced the District authorities with County Councils.
1851
The north-west portions of the old Gore District were combined to form the County of Brant but remained grouped with the United Counties of Wentworth and Halton.
1852
Brant County separated from the United Counties of Wentworth and Halton.
1853
The United Counties of Wentworth and Halton were separated by legislation into the two counties of Wentworth and Halton.
1960
The last of Barton Township was annexed by the City of Hamilton and the township ceased to exist.
1973
Bill 155 was passed to change Wentworth County into the Regional Municipality of Hamilton-Wentworth
January 1, 1974
The Regional Municipality of Hamilton-Wentworth came into being.
January 1, 2001
The new City of Hamilton came into being, incorporating the old city of Hamilton and the constituent municipalities of the old Regional Municipality of Hamilton-Wentworth.
