Cold Weather Alert for the City of Hamilton

Cold Weather Alert for the City of Hamilton Monday January 19, 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:
Monday, January 19, 2026 - 4:00pm
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
Waterdown Branch Accessible Door Out of Order

The accessibility door at Waterdown Branch is not working. We aim to fix it quickly.

Published:
Tuesday, December 30, 2025 - 12:00pm
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

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.