Study Halls at Central Library and Dundas, Red Hill, Terryberry, Turner Park, Valley Park, and Waterdown branches resume on Tuesday, September 2. They will be open after-hours Mondays-Thursdays from 8 pm to Midnight. www.hpl.ca/study-halls
Study Halls Return September 2
All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Wednesday, August 27, 2025 - 2:15pm
Bookmobile Stop Modified
Due to campus events, McMaster University's Bookmobile Visits for Tuesdays, August 26 and September 2 (3:30-4:30 pm) have been cancelled. Service is expected to resume on Tuesday, September 9. Thank you for your understanding.
Published:
Tuesday, August 26, 2025 - 12:00pm
Carlisle Branch Accessible Door Out of Order
The accessibility door at Carlisle Branch is not working. We aim to fix it quickly.
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Published:
Tuesday, August 26, 2025 - 10:15am
Turner Park - Rymal Road Entrance Unavailable
Due to continued concrete work, the Rymal Road entrance will be unavailable until Friday, August 30. Access to the parking lot, accessible parking spaces, back entrance, and external drop box is available. Thank you for your patience.
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Published:
Wednesday, August 20, 2025 - 2:30pm
Labour Day Closure
All HPL Branches are closed on Sunday, August 31, and Labour Day, Monday, September 1st. Bookmobile is off the road, and Extended Access is not available. Regular service hours resume Tuesday, September 2. www.hpl.ca/hours
All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Tuesday, August 19, 2025 - 8:00am
Turner Park - Mid-Day Fire Drill, September 3
Due to a mid-day fire drill, Turner Park Branch and Les Chater Family YMCA are closed for a fire drill from noon-1 pm. Thank you for your patience.
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Published:
Thursday, August 14, 2025 - 1:00pm
Kenilworth Branch - Temporary Closure (Sept 2 - Oct 10)
Due to roof repair maintenance, the Branch is temporarily closed from September 2 until October 10. Please visit the Red Hill, Parkdale, and Barton locations as your nearest branches for your library needs. On August 28-29, there may be some noise disruptions and limited parking spots while the roof repair set-up begins. Thank you for your patience.
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Published:
Monday, August 11, 2025 - 8:00am
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
St. Thomas' Church, Main Street East
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
