Due to electrical work, the second floor will be closed today, Thursday, February 19 from Noon-7 pm. The first floor will remain accessible. Thank you for your patience.
Kenilworth Branch - Electrical Work
Published:
Thursday, February 19, 2026 - 9:00am
Carlisle Branch Accessible Door Out of Order
The accessibility door at Carlisle Branch is not working. We aim to fix it quickly.
Published:
Tuesday, February 17, 2026 - 2:30pm
Concession Branch - Upcoming Renovations
Starting the week of February 9, renovation preparations are underway in anticipation of the March 2 start. Computer availability may be limited, and the Living Room space is closed. Renovations are expected to wrap up by late Spring. Thank you for your patience.
Published:
Tuesday, February 10, 2026 - 1:00pm
Sherwood Branch - Upcoming Renovations
Renovation preparations are underway in anticipation of the March 2 start. Starting the week of February 23, the 2nd Floor will be closed. The Children's collection will be temporarily available on the 1st Floor. Renovations are expected to wrap up by late Spring. Thank you for your patience.
Published:
Tuesday, February 10, 2026 - 1:00pm
Central Library - Living Room Renovation Preparation
Starting Tuesday, February 10, the First Floor Living Room will be unavailable due to renovation preparations. Study and work spaces are available on Floors 2-3.
Please note the Noon Hour Concert on Friday, February 13, will be held at Terryberry Branch instead.
Thank you for your patience.
Published:
Friday, February 6, 2026 - 9:00am
Bookmobile Service Modification
Please note the following Bookmobile visit updates.
Thursday, February 19
Rockton (10:30am-11:30am) - Cancelled
Bennetto 5-5:30pm (instead of 4-5:30pm)
Wednesday, February 25
Swansea 10:00-10:30am - Cancelled
Helen Detwiler 11:00am-12:00pm - Cancelled
Warplane Museum 3:00-4:00pm - Cancelled
Friday, February 27
Winona 11:00am-12:00pm - Cancelled
Maplewood 2:30-4:00pm - Cancelled
Published:
Monday, February 2, 2026 - 3:15pm
Carlisle Branch Accessible Washroom Out of Order
The accessible washroom at Carlisle Branch is not working. We aim to get it fixed quickly.
Published:
Tuesday, January 27, 2026 - 12:30pm
Central Library - Sunday Hours Paused
Effective Sunday, February 1, Sunday service hours at Central Library will be paused.
Sunday Hours will continue at Dundas, Red Hill, Terryberry, Turner Park, Valley Park and Waterdown Branches from 1-5pm.
Published:
Wednesday, January 21, 2026 - 11:00am
History of City Hall
Town Hall (1839-1887)
After the incorporation of Hamilton in 1846, council decided that it was necessary to spruce up the hall so that it was more suitable for their new status. It was also at this time that the Market Hall first began to be called the City Hall rather than the Town Hall. The grandeur of such new status faced its first true test in 1862 as Hamilton faced bankruptcy. The furnishings of the centre of civic pride were attached by the bailiff and ordered to be sold at auction. Some of the effects from the city on auction caused great consternation to the civic fathers, including the mayor's chair for which only $6.00 was offered. The armchairs used by councillors and aldermen went for $1.05 apiece to Mr. James Cummings, Esq. who purchased much of the goods for sale. He later loaned the items back to the city (16).
This was not the first time that the city had found itself embarrassed for funds. In 1836, before incorporation, the town had made an arrangement with the American Presbyterian Church on the east side of John Street to buy a bell for the use of the city and install it in the church tower (17). In 1838, to their surprise, a partner in the firm of bell makers from West Troy, N.Y. arrived with a debenture for payment of £100. City Council stated that "[t]he matter was this day considered by the Board, some of the members of 1836 being present, and they came to the Resolution of taking the bell and paying for the same" (18).
This was easier said than done. On December 1, 1838, the City Clerk wrote to the bell makers: "[l]aid your letter before the Board, and am sorry to say that it is out of our power to remit even a part of the sum due you immediately, as we had hope to have done long ago, but I am directed to inform you, that as soon as we can raise £50, it shall be forwarded to you, or the whole, if practical. Our collector is exerting himself to call in the taxes, in which, if he is tolerably successful, we shall not have to try your patience much longer" (19). A year later, in December 1839, the Treasurer was ordered "to give Mr. Berrie £50 in part payment of the Town Bell" (20).
