Bookmobile Service Modification

The Greencedar (295 Greencedar Drive, 4-5 pm) visit is cancelled today, Tuesday, October 28, due to vehicle maintenance. Regular service is expected to return next week. Thank you for your understanding.

All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Tuesday, October 28, 2025 - 1:00pm
Kenilworth Branch Reopening

The Kenilworth Branch has reopened today, Monday, October 27. Please note that there is limited parking, and noise disruptions may occur this week as the final touches are made to the renovations. Thank you for your understanding.

1
Published:
Monday, October 27, 2025 - 3:00pm
Central Library - Fourth Floor Closure

The 4th Floor is closed on Thursday, October 30 from 4-8pm for a special event. Makerspace and Newcomer Learning Centre will remain open. Floors 1-3 are available with study and work spaces. 

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

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

Thursday, October 30
Parkdale Branch, 9:30am

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

Ice Harvesting

The ice harvest on Hamilton Harbour was considered by some to be the first harvest of the year. During the winter months the ice companies had to lay up enough ice to get the city residents through the sweltering summer months.

The ice harvest on Hamilton Harbour was considered by some to be the first harvest of the year. During the winter months the ice companies had to lay up enough ice to get the city residents through the sweltering summer months.

Ice harvesters cut out the first blocks as best they can to make an open space. With the removal of each block a longer channel opens. Horses are brought in and the big ice blocks are towed shoreward along these open channels.

Ice harvesters cut out the first blocks as best they can to make an open space. With the removal of each block a longer channel opens. Horses are brought in and the big ice blocks are towed shoreward along these open channels.

The great ice sheds along the bayfront were filled to capacity during this harvest and you could see sleighs loaded with blocks of ice moving up the streets constantly.

The great ice sheds along the bayfront were filled to capacity during this harvest and you could see sleighs loaded with blocks of ice moving up the streets constantly.

One ice firm in the 1920's prided itself on cutting 4 tons of ice per minute for a total of 2,000 tons of ice daily.

One ice firm in the 1920's prided itself on cutting 4 tons of ice per minute for a total of 2,000 tons of ice daily.
With the increasing popularity of electric refrigeration, as well as the growing pollution of the bay's waters, the picturesque job of ice harvesting gradually faded away.