Replacement and Damage Fees Resume October 1st

To avoid a replacement or lost fee, please return library materials due October 1st or later within 28 days. Replacement fees are intended to encourage Members to return items on a timely basis so everyone in the community can enjoy them. 

https://www.hpl.ca/news/frequently-asked-questions

All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Thursday, September 11, 2025 - 3:00pm
SuperCrawl - Road Closures near Central Library

From Thursday, September 11, until 5 am on Monday, September 15, road closures for SuperCrawl will be in effect in and around James Street North from King to Wilson/York to Cannon to Barton Street. Additional closures will take place on King William, Rebecca, Vine, Mulberry, Colbourne and Murray Streets. If you are planning to visit Central Library over the next few days, we suggest taking HSR for a convenient route to downtown Hamilton. www.hpl.ca/central

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Affected Branch: Central Library
Published:
Wednesday, September 10, 2025 - 10:30am
Central Library - Fourth Floor Temporary Closure

Central Library's Fourth Floor is closed on Tuesday, September 16, from Noon to 6 pm due to a special event. Makerspace and Newcomer Learning Centre will remain open. Floors 1-3 are available as study and work spaces. www.hpl.ca/central

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Affected Branch: Central Library
Published:
Wednesday, September 10, 2025 - 10:00am
Bookmobile Service Modifications

Huntington Park is discontinued effective after tomorrow, Friday, September 5 (11 am-noon). A new, nearby bi-weekly Bookmobile site at The Court at Rushdale (1360 Upper Sherman Ave) will start on Friday, September 19 (11 am-noon).

Queen Victoria Elementary School will now visit from 3-4 pm (instead of 3:30-4:30 pm

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Affected Branch: Bookmobile
Nearest Branches: 
Bookmobile Stop: 
Published:
Thursday, September 4, 2025 - 1:30pm
Study Halls Return September 2

Study Halls at Central Library and Dundas, Red Hill, Terryberry, Turner Park, Valley Park, and Waterdown branches resume on Tuesday, September 2. They will be open after-hours Mondays-Thursdays from 8 pm to Midnight. www.hpl.ca/study-halls 

All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Wednesday, August 27, 2025 - 2:15pm
Kenilworth Branch - Temporary Closure (Sept 2 - Oct 10)

Due to roof repair maintenance, the Branch is temporarily closed from September 2 until October 10. Please visit the Red Hill, Parkdale, and Barton locations as your nearest branches for your library needs. On August 28-29, there may be some noise disruptions and limited parking spots while the roof repair set-up begins. Thank you for your patience.

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Published:
Monday, August 11, 2025 - 8:00am

Desjardins Canal Disaster

The examination of the papers and letters of the deceased

Desjardins Canal disaster, 1857
The people living in the vicinity of the broken bridge, hunting around the ruins for the dead and wounded. (Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, 4 April 1857: 272)

This was little less melancholy than the recognizing their dead bodies. In the pocket of one would be found letters from his wife and children, wishing him home, and sorrowing for his absence. Another died with daguerreotypes on his breast of those he loved most on earth. A mother's letter was found in this one's pocket, asking relief, and saying she was ill. The money for relief was found side by side with the letter. Another's name was learned by the letters of those who loved him. And yet another was hurrying home to console the sick or the dying. Such were some of the incidents.