Concession Branch: Children's Area Renovations

Concession Branch's children area is closed for renovations. Please use the temporary space. Public computers are also affected. There are currently three available. We aim to have the branch back in order as soon as possible.

1
Published:
Friday, November 7, 2025 - 9:30am
Odour at Carlisle Branch

Members visiting the Carlisle Branch may notice an unpleasant odour. We are working to identify the source and hope to resolve the issue as soon as possible.

Published:
Thursday, November 6, 2025 - 5:30pm
Network Maintenance - Wednesday, November 12

HPL's WiFi, Catalogue and online resources will undergo network maintenance on Wednesday, November 12 from 5-8am. We apologize for the inconvenience.

All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Thursday, November 6, 2025 - 8:00am
Kenilworth Branch Reopening

Noise and limited parking continue at the Kenilworth Branch this week as renovations wrap up. Thank you for your understanding.

1
Published:
Monday, October 27, 2025 - 3:00pm
Delayed Branch Openings 

The following locations have upcoming delayed openings due to Staff training drills. 

Monday, November 10 
Concession Branch, 10am

Thursday, November 13
Binbrook Branch, 10am

Friday, November 14
Valley Park Branch, 10am

Monday, November 24
Mount Hope, 2pm

Thursday, November 27
Stoney Creek, 10am

You may visit nearby Branches for your library needs. www.hpl.ca/hours

All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Tuesday, October 7, 2025 - 2:00pm
Replacement and Damage Fees

Bring back your borrowed library items (due Oct 1 or later) within 28 days to avoid a replacement or lost fee. We'll remove the fee when you bring back your overdue items. 

All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Thursday, September 11, 2025 - 3:00pm

Desjardins Canal Disaster Illustrations

Desjardins Canal disaster, 1857

The Toronto Railway train breaking through the tressle bridge over the Des Jardines Canal, falling sixty feet into the gulf below. From a sketch by Col. Frank Foster, of Philadelphia. (Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, 4 April 1857: 265.)

Desjardins Canal disaster, 1857

Frightful Accident on the Great Western Railway, March 12th, 1857. Toronto, Ont.: L.D. Campbell, [1857?]. (Original Photographs Collection. Local History & Archives. Hamilton Public Library.)

Desjardins Canal disaster, 1857

View of the Disaster of the Great Western Railway at the Desjardins Canal Bridge, Hamilton, C.W. on Thursday March 12, 1857. Hamilton, Ont.: Spectator Office, [1857?]. (Original Photographs Collection. Local History & Archives. Hamilton Public Library.)

Desjardins Canal disaster, 1857

View of the accident taken N.W. from Hamilton Bay, suspension bridge in the background. From a photograph by D.C. Beere, Esq. (Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, 4 April 1857: 272.)

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)

A sketch depicting railway conductors raising the crashed train cars at the scene of the Desjardins Canal disaster in 1857.

The conductors of the railway raising the ruins of the cars. From a sketch by Mr. Lum. (Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, 4 April 1857: 273.)

Desjardins Canal disaster, 1857

Relations and friends searching among the dead bodies laid out in the large room adjoining the station house. (Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, 4 April 1857: 277.)

.

Desjardins Canal disaster, 1857

The conductor and two passengers jumping from the last car as it was going over the precipice. (Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, 4 April 1857: 277.)

Desjardins Canal disaster, 1857

Grappling in the canal for the dead. (Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, 4 April 1857: 277.)

Desjardins Canal disaster, 1857

Passengers crossing the canal on the rafts. (Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, 4 April 1857: 277.)

Desjardins Canal disaster, 1857

The German rescuing his friend from the car window. (Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, 4 April 1857: 277.)

Desjardins Canal disaster, 1857

The rescue of the little girl from a cake of floating ice. (Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, 4 April 1857: 277.)

Desjardins Canal disaster, 1857

The Doyle children carried up the hill by their preserver and a passenger. (Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, 4 April 1857: 277.)