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All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Friday, May 16, 2025 - 4:30pm
Construction Work at Sherwood Branch

On Thursday, May 15, the library reopens with normal hours but with the following service limitations:

  • 1st Floor is closed to the public
  • Limited browsing collections of Express Adult Fic and Express DVDs are available on the 2nd Floor
  • Holds pickup is available on the 2nd Floor
  • Reduced number of public computers on 2nd Floor
  • Printing and copying available on 2nd Floor
  • Seating capacity is reduced
  • All 2nd Floor collections (teen, children, and graphic novels) are available 
  • Parking, washroom and elevator access are not affected

Please refer to hpl.ca/events for up-to-date program listings. Most programs will continue as normal on the 2nd Floor or in the basement. 

Published:
Thursday, May 15, 2025 - 2:30pm
All Branches Closed - May 30, Staff Professional Development

All HPL Branches are closed on Friday, May 30 for Staff Professional Development Day. Bookmobile is off the road and Extended Access service is not available. Our Virtual Branch is open at hpl.ca. Regular service hours resume Saturday, May 31. Thank you for your understanding.

All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Monday, May 12, 2025 - 8:00am
Bookmobile Service Cancellations

These Bookmobile visits are cancelled this month:

Thursday May 15: Rockton and Meadowlands

Friday, May 16: Huntington Park

Friday, May 30: Huntington Park, Winona, and Maplewood

These Bookmobile visits are shortened:

Thursday May 15: Mohawk Gardens 2-2:30pm

Thursday May 15: Bennetto, 4:30-5:30pm

Published:
Friday, May 9, 2025 - 8:00am
All Branches Closed - Victoria Day 

All HPL Branches are closed on Sunday, May 18, and Victoria Day, Monday, May 19. Bookmobile is off the road. Extended Access and Study Hall services are not available. Our Virtual Branch is open at hpl.ca.

All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Thursday, May 1, 2025 - 9:30am
Turner Park Branch - Roof Repair

Due to the ongoing roof repair project, noise and parking disruptions are expected to continue until the end of June. Thank you for your patience.

Published:
Monday, April 28, 2025 - 10:00am
Ancaster Branch - Temporary Closure, May 5-31

From Monday, May 5 to Saturday, May 31, the Ancaster Branch will be temporarily closed due to a roof and HVAC replacement. During this time, service hours will be available at the Ancaster Rotary Centre, 385 Jerseyville Road West, Ancaster. The last day to pick up your Holds is Thursday, May 1st. Thank you for your understanding.

www.hpl.ca/ancaster

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Published:
Wednesday, April 16, 2025 - 11:00am
Central Library - Microfilm Machine

The digital microfilm machines at Central Library are not working. A single analog machine is available, but it doesn't print. We aim to have the digital devices repaired as soon as possible. We apologize for the inconvenience.

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Affected Branch: Central Library
Published:
Thursday, April 10, 2025 - 3:30pm
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.

All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Thursday, April 3, 2025 - 10:30am

History of Gore Park

1850-1890

After the furor of the 1840's had died down, City Council tried again. A notice was put into the city paper that the City would be applying for an Act to authorize them to make use of the Gore for erection of a public building. By-Law #83 for the disposal of the Gore on King Street was signed at the council meeting on January 5, 1853. However, on February 28, 1853, Alderman Sadlier gave notice of motion to repeal By-Law #83 and by March 24, 1853 the contentious by-law had been rescinded by a vote of 10 to 5. The people had won again. Not to be bested, The Report of the Special Committee on Post Office Site was adopted July 3, 1853. Council recommended locating the new Post Office directly on the Gore. The idea was shot down in rapid order.

Gore Park fountain, 1870s
Gore Park fountain, 1870s

The future of the Gore on King Street was now placed in the hands of the Special Committee on Ornamenting the Gore on King Street. The committee was next heard from six years later as the city prepared for the first ever royal visit to Hamilton. The Water Commissioner proposed a fountain but the Council referred this suggestion to another committee for further study until receiving a letter from Isaac Buchanan and others proposing a joint venture. Buchanan proposed the City set aside $1,200 which would then be matched by Buchanan and his group. The local papers jumped on the bandwagon proclaiming that if a few thousand dollars was all that was needed to convert an eyesore into an ornament they should do it by private subscription. The fountain was built and the new look of the Gore on King Street was unveiled May 24, 1860.

Prior to the unveiling of the fountain council had received a communication from Archibald Kerr offering to pay to have a drinking fountain placed on the Gore in King Street. By November of that year the drinking fountain had been erected. Soon after the Park Committee tendered their report to council: "The Standing Committee on Parks beg leave to report that they have carefully examined the Park on King Street and have ordered sixteen or eighteen trees to be planted to replace those which have been destroyed by evil disposed persons in consequence of having access to the grounds at all times. In order to prevent the wanton destruction of property Your Comm. recommend the present turn stiles be removed and an iron gate placed at each of the four entrances with a lock to each, so that the public may have access only on particular occasions, when Policemen should be in attendance to keep order." This report marked the first instance of council referring to the Gore as a park. Shortly after was the first usage of the name Gore Park.

In July of 1872 council resolved to place the new Bell Tower in the Gore of King Street and asked for tenders. Citizens rose once again to the defense of their park and the Bell Tower was constructed on the originally proposed location on James Street near the market. City council finally bowed to the inevitable and on April 28, 1873 passed the Board of Works recommendation "that the Park on King Street be laid out and planted with flowers and shrubs, and the fence and fountain newly painted”.

Aerial shot of Gore Park, 1870s
Aerial shot of Gore Park, 1870s

As the 1880s began, the pressing concern for Hamilton’s press was the fact that the park was always locked and the public could not enjoy its benefits. "Hamilton is the only city we know of which has a locked-up park, and we refuse to believe that the character of our people makes the exception necessary." Council dealt with this request in a less than timely manner, and it was three years before the Park was formally opened to the public on June 19, 1883. "The 'interesting ceremony' was performed at 10 o'clock...by Chief Aitchison, of the fire department in the presence of a number of citizens." Few ventured in, as they were not used to being allowed to enter their park. The gates were to be unlocked every morning at 7 and closed at 8 in the evening, with the duty to be performed by the fire department. The Spectator suggested a few improvements like benches on which to sit and enjoy the view. The park must have become increasingly popular as in 1886 the committee recommended the purchase of six “Keep Off the Grass” signs (6).

The populace began to use the Gore in increasing numbers and, on a typical summer night when a band was serenading the people, "(t)he sounds that palpitated on the air were varied. Sweet light strains arose from the band, followed by a crash of doubleforte, and amidst the comparative stillness that followed could be hears the vocal hallelujahs from the Gospel wagoners down east a block away. Then by way of variation would come the tir-rrrr of a bell operated by an ice cream artist half a dozen yards away. Added to these marked and prominent features were the almost perpetual cling-clang-cling of the motorman's bells as the cars rolled and growled along the pavement: all going to make up an evening of mild dissipation on the Gore” (7).  On May 20, 1898 a strong petition signed by 64 of the most prominent businessmen in the community, some with shops or businesses facing onto Gore Park, was presented to City council requesting the Gore Park be extended as far as John Street. The aldermen thought this was a good idea; however, no one could decide which whether the Parks or Works committees should deal with it (8).