Access to catalogue is currently intermittent and is currently under investigation. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Catalogue Access Issues
Published:
Thursday, July 23, 2026 - 7:30pm
Bookmobile Service Modification
The Bookmobile visit to the Helen Detwiler location on Wed Jul 29 is cancelled.
Published:
Tuesday, July 21, 2026 - 9:00am
Express Items via OverDrive - Partner Libraries Update
As of July 1, Partner Library Members can no longer borrow HPL Express items via OverDrive. More to Borrow partner libraries offer Lucky Express (Skip the Line) titles to their cardholders only. This helps manage wait times for popular titles. Lucky Express is a collection of in-demand titles with a seven-day loan and no wait time.
Partner Library Members can borrow titles from the main collection.
hpl.ca/more-to-borrow
Published:
Monday, July 6, 2026 - 10:00am
What's Happening Guide Changes
The What's Happening Guide has been retired and replaced with different communications channels and tactics. You can find the new Summer Reading Flyer here. Watch for future communications updates.
Published:
Monday, June 29, 2026 - 3:00pm
Sunday Hours Return to Central Library
Sunday hours return to Central Library. Beginning July 5, Central is open Noon to 5pm. Dundas, Red Hill, Terryberry, Turner Park, Valley Park and Waterdown branches are also open Sundays, 1 to 5pm. hpl.ca/hours
Published:
Monday, June 29, 2026 - 1:00pm
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
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.
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.
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.
