Central Library's 1st Floor Women's Washroom will be closed Monday morning (July 21). Please use the washrooms on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th floors.
Central Library - 1st Floor Women's Washroom Maintenance
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Published:
Wednesday, July 16, 2025 - 2:00pm
Catalogue Maintenance
HPL's catalogue is not available Sunday July, 20 5:00am - 10:00am due to system maintenance. Thank you for your patience.
All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Wednesday, July 16, 2025 - 2:00pm
Locke Branch - Filming
Filming will take place near the Locke Branch from July 13 to 16, which will impact traffic flow and parking. We apologize for the inconvenience.
- North side of Homewood Avenue between Lockes Street South and Kent Street
- North/South side of Stanley Avenue
- East side of Kent Street between Stanley Avenue and Homewood Avenue
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Published:
Friday, July 11, 2025 - 8:00am
Terryberry Branch Elevator Out of Order
The parking lot elevator at Terryberry Branch is not working. Members will need to use the accessible ramp at the Mohawk entrance and the inner elevator. We're working to get it fixed quickly.
1
Published:
Saturday, May 31, 2025 - 1:00pm
Public Computers - Audio Volume
Please note that the audio volume levels on our public computers are having issues. The estimated time of disruption is unknown at this time. Thank you for your patience.
All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Thursday, May 29, 2025 - 4:00pm
Mount Hope Branch Accessibile Ramp Not Available
The accessibility ramp at Mount Hope Branch is damaged. The handrail is not available. The ramp will not be available while being repaired. We aim to fix it quickly.
1
Published:
Friday, May 23, 2025 - 4:30pm
Ice Harvesting
The ice harvest on Hamilton Harbour was considered by some to be the first harvest of the year. During the winter months the ice companies had to lay up enough ice to get the city residents through the sweltering summer months.
Ice harvesters cut out the first blocks as best they can to make an open space. With the removal of each block a longer channel opens. Horses are brought in and the big ice blocks are towed shoreward along these open channels.
The great ice sheds along the bayfront were filled to capacity during this harvest and you could see sleighs loaded with blocks of ice moving up the streets constantly.
One ice firm in the 1920's prided itself on cutting 4 tons of ice per minute for a total of 2,000 tons of ice daily.
With the increasing popularity of electric refrigeration, as well as the growing pollution of the bay's waters, the picturesque job of ice harvesting gradually faded away.
