Waterdown Branch Accessible Door Out of Order

The accessibility door at Waterdown Branch is not working. We aim to fix it quickly.

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Published:
Tuesday, December 30, 2025 - 12:00pm
Bookmobile Service Modification
The following Bookmobile stops have modified schedules on Tuesday December 30, 2025.
 
The Greencedar stop at 4:00pm-5:00pm is temporarily changed to 4:00pm-4:30pm
The Mountview stop at 5:30pm-6:30pm is temporarily changed to 4:45pm-5:30pm
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Affected Branch: Bookmobile
Nearest Branches: 
Bookmobile Stop: 
Published:
Tuesday, December 30, 2025 - 9:30am
HPL Branches- December 30 Hours

All branches close early on Tuesday, December 30 at 6:00 PM (*with the exception of Carlisle, Freelton, Greensville, and Mount Hope) for holiday-adjusted hours. This includes branches with Extended Access.

*Carlisle- 10am - 3pm
Freelton- 9am - 2pm
Greensville- 9am - 2pm
Mount Hope- 10am - 3pm

 

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Affected Branch: Central Library
Published:
Monday, December 29, 2025 - 8:00am
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. 

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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

Published:
Wednesday, December 24, 2025 - 11:45am
Printing, Photocopying and Scanning Unavailable at Westdale Branch

Printing, photocopying and scanning are working at Westdale Branch. We're working to get these working again as soon as possible.

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Published:
Tuesday, December 23, 2025 - 3:30pm
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
Bookmobile Service - Holiday Schedule

Bookmobile is off the road December 31, and January 1st. Visit www.hpl.ca/bookmobile for our Holiday Schedule.

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Affected Branch: Bookmobile
Nearest Branches: 
Published:
Monday, December 22, 2025 - 9:00am
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.

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Affected Branch: Central Library
Published:
Friday, December 19, 2025 - 5:00pm
All Branches Closed for New Years Day

All branches close on Thursday January 1 for New Years Day. This includes branches with Extended Access.

All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Monday, December 15, 2025 - 11:00am
December 31, New Year's Eve - Early Closure

All HPL Branches close early on Wednesday, December 31 at 1pm. This includes branches with Extended Access.

All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Monday, December 15, 2025 - 11:00am
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

Blizzard of 1898

The Blizzard of 1898

 
One of the earliest documented snow storms in Hamilton took place in February 1845 when it snowed continuously for three days. The overland four horse stage coach to Toronto took two days to complete the trip from Hamilton. Possibly the worst snow storm ever to hit the Hamilton area, however, took place just over 100 years ago. On December 4, 1898 the snow began to fall. It continued to fall all night leaving a heavy coating of snow on everything. Then, on Sunday at noon, the temperature plummeted and strong winds picked up. Telephone and hydro poles began snapping off and live wires crackled across James Street North for over an hour before the power could be turned off. Large tree branches fell, in some cases just barely missing pedestrians. There were no outside telephone or telegraph connections and the city was without electricity for nearly thirty-six hours. No trains could get in or out of the city and the streetcars were at a complete standstill.
 
Following are some views of Hamilton after the great storm of '98! 
 

A view of James Street South at Gore Park

A view of James Street South at Gore Park
 

St. Thomas' Church, Main Street East

St. Thomas' Church, Main Street East
 

Hunter Street West showing the east end of the Hunter Street Tunnel of the Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo Railway

Hunter Street West showing the east end of the Hunter Street Tunnel of the Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo Railway
 

Looking west on King Street East from Wellington Street

Looking west on King Street East from Wellington Street