All Bookmobile visits are cancelled on Saturday, January 3. Regular service visits resume Monday, January 5. www.hpl.ca/bookmobile
Bookmobile Stops Cancelled
1
Published:
Friday, January 2, 2026 - 2:00pm
Bookmobile Service Modification
Due to mechanical issues, the Winona (11 am-Noon) and Maplewood (2:30-4 pm) visits are cancelled today, Friday, January 2. Queen Victoria visit is also cancelled. Service is expected to resume next week. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Published:
Friday, January 2, 2026 - 10:00am
Waterdown Branch Accessible Door Out of Order
The accessibility door at Waterdown Branch is not working. We aim to fix it quickly.
1
Published:
Tuesday, December 30, 2025 - 12:00pm
Central Library Makerspace - White Vinyl Unavailable
The Makerspace at Central Library is currently out of white vinyl for printing. Members needing white vinyl can visit the Dundas or Valley Park branch Makerspaces, which are the closest locations with white vinyl currently available.
1
Published:
Saturday, December 27, 2025 - 3:00pm
Barton Branch Closure - January 7
Due to maintenance, the Barton Branch will be closed on Wednesday, January, 7. Please visit Central Library or Kenilworth Branch for your library needs. www.hpl.ca/hours
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Published:
Wednesday, December 24, 2025 - 11:45am
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.
All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Monday, December 22, 2025 - 2:00pm
Central Library, Fourth Floor Closure: Friday, January 2
Due to the setup for the Noon Hour Concert, the Fourth Floor at Central Library will be closed on Friday, January 2. Makerspace and Newcomer Learning Centre will remain open. Floors 1-3 have spaces to work and study.
1
Published:
Friday, December 19, 2025 - 5:00pm
Study Halls - Holiday Break
Branch Study Halls are paused Friday, December 19, 2025 through Monday, January 5, 2026. Central Library Study Hall hours resume Spring 2026.
www.hpl.ca/study-halls
All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Tuesday, December 9, 2025 - 9:15am
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.
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.
