Bookmobile Schedule Modifications

Bookmobile has the following schedule modifications for September: 

Mon, Sept 7: Library Closed - All Stops Cancelled 

Tues, Sept 8:                    

  • Strathcona Cancelled

  • McMaster Cancelled

Thurs, Sept 10:                 

  • Rockton moved to Saturday 

  • Millgrove moved to Saturday

Sat, Sept 12:                 

  • Stoney Creek Cancelled

  • Riverdale Cancelled

Published:
Monday, August 24, 2026 - 9:30am
Construction at Concession Branch

Due to construction at the Concession Branch hours are changing temporarily, beginning Fri Aug 7 to mid-September.
Mon-Thu 5-7pm
Fri Closed
Sat 9am-5pm

Members can change their Holds pickup location in their library accounts or can contact Staff.  Or Holds can be paused until after the branch returns to regular open hours.

Some programs will be moved to the Sherwood Branch, 467 Upper Ottawa St. Please check hpl.ca/events for up-to-date program changes.

Published:
Wednesday, August 5, 2026 - 1:15pm
Kenilworth Branch Accessible Washroom Out of Order

The accessible washroom at Kenilworth Branch is not working. We aim to get it fixed quickly.

Published:
Thursday, July 30, 2026 - 5:45pm
Study Halls Pause for Summer Break

After Hours Study Hall is not available in July and August. Hours will resume Tuesday, September 8. www.hpl.ca/study-halls

Published:
Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 3:00pm

Murders in Hamilton

Evelyn Dick after acquittal for murder
Evelyn Dick after acquittal for murder

When Hamilton was first settled, the most pressing issue was what to do about crime in the area. The area's first court house was built in 1817 and it included cells in the lower half of the building for use as a jail. The next courthouse/jail was constructed in the mid 1820s and opened for business in 1827. The street behind this building was known as Tyburn Street after the street of execution in London, England.

After the police village of Hamilton was created in 1833 the very first item of business dealt with by the board was a complaint by High Bailiff John Ryckman about a citizen driving his horses furiously, endangering children. There was an early form of police force from that point on to enforce the laws of the city and the county. A Board of Police Commissioners was formed in 1872 to oversee the operation of a professional police department. They dealt with all complaints including the most serious complaint, murder. The earliest murder documented in the Hamilton area was in 1801 and the murderess became the first woman ever hanged in Ontario.

An extensive list of murder victims in Hamilton is available.*

*Please note that this list no longer actively updated. The most recent entries available are from 2013 and earlier.