The last day of Study Hall is Thursday, June 25. The service will resume on Tuesday, September 8. www.hpl.ca/study-halls
Study Halls Pause for Summer Break
Published:
Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 3:00pm
Canada Day Closure - All Branches
All HPL Branches are closed on Canada Day, Wednesday, July 1st. Bookmobile is off the road and Extended Access is off the road. Regular service hours resume on Thursday, July 2. Our Virtual Branch is open at hpl.ca. www.hpl.ca/hours
Published:
Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 3:00pm
Locke Branch - Exterior Neighbourhood Filming
From June 21 to June 27, filming activities, production vehicles and film equipment will be located on:
- West side, Kent Street between Homewood Avenue and Aberdeen Avenue
- East side Locke Street between Homewood Avenue and Stanley Street
- South side of Homewood Avenue
Parking may be limited at times when visiting Locke Branch. Thank you in advance for your patience.
Published:
Thursday, June 18, 2026 - 2:30pm
Construction work at Barton Branch
The entrance to the Barton Branch parking lot off of Milton St. is currently inaccessible due to construction. The parking lot can still be accessed via the alley off Fullerton St. during this time.
Published:
Wednesday, June 17, 2026 - 9:15am
Phishing Scheme
Please be aware of online phishing attempts impersonating Hamilton Public Library and Library Staff. HPL does not solicit paid freelance opportunities through social media or other messaging applications. HPL does not request personal or banking information through social media or require financial compensation when reviewing job applications. Please report phishing schemes to communications@hpl.ca. If you think you are a victim of fraud, please call the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.
Published:
Wednesday, June 10, 2026 - 5:00am
Bookmobile Service Modification
Due to Driver availability, Bookmobile has the following schedule modifications for the month of June. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Bookmobile Service June Modifications
Wednesday, June 24:
- Swansea - Cancelled
- Helen Detwiler - Cancelled
- Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum - Cancelled
Saturday, June 27:
- Stoney Creek Arena - Cancelled
- Riverdale - Cancelled
- Discovery Centre - 3-4pm instead
Tuesday, June 30:
- Greencedar - Cancelled
- Mountview - Cancelled
Published:
Friday, May 22, 2026 - 12:00pm
Beckett Collection
Hamilton Street Railway, 1912
Hubert William Beckett (ca1892-1967) was born in Hamilton. After gaining some renown as an amateur photographer of children, he opened a professional studio in 1925, on James Street South, and was active as a portrait photographer until his deathin 1967 at age 75.
In November of 1972, his collection of negatives and filing cards was delivered to the Hamilton Public Library. This collection consisted of 35.4 metres of photographic negatives, with the corresponding index cards.
In 1977, approximately 14,000 of the negatives were found to be on a cellulose [acetate] nitrate base and therefore highly flammable. These negatives were duplicated and the originals destroyed.
There are approximately 26,000 negatives in the Beckett Collection.
Finding Aid: There is an in-house finding aid to this collection
