Due to scheduled maintenance, public computers at Study Hall locations (Dundas, Red Hill, Terryberry, Turner Park, Valley Park and Waterdown) will be unavailable beginning at 9:00 PM this evening. The work is expected to be completed by midnight.
Please note that there is higher than usual noise levels and odors due to renovations taking place this week. Thank you in advance for your patience.
The accessible washroom on the 1st floor at Terryberry Branch is not working. We aim to get it fixed quickly.
The Seasonal Affective Disorder therapy lamp on the 2nd floor at Central Library is out of order. The estimated time of disruption is unknown at this time. For more locations, please visit Light Therapy Lamps | HPL.
Starting March 30, renovations for the 2nd floor Central Children's Area will begin. Programs will still be offered as scheduled and there will be a temporary pop-up Children’s Area on the northeast side of the 2nd floor (near the Piano Room), including access to collections and train tables. Thank you for your patience during this time.
Due to driver availability, Bookmobile is off the road for the following. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Wednesday, April 15
- Swansea 10:00-10:30 am - Cancelled
- Helen Detwiler 11am-Noon - Cancelled
- Warplane Museum 3-4 pm - Cancelled
Thursday, April 16
- Rockton 10:30-11:30 am - Cancelled
- Mohawk Gardens 2:30-3 pm - Cancelled
- Meadowlands 3:30-4 pm - Cancelled
Tuesday, April 21
- Greencedar 5:30pm-6:30pm (instead of 4-5pm)
- Mountview 5:30-6:30 pm - Cancelled
Friday, April 24
- Winona 11 am-Noon - Cancelled
- Maplewood 2:30-4 pm - Cancelled
Tuesday, April 28
- McMaster 3:30-4:30 pm - Cancelled
Wednesday, April 29
- Swansea 10-10:30 am - Cancelled
- Helen Detwiler 11 am-Noon - Cancelled
- Warplane Museum 3-4 pm - Cancelled
Starting Monday, March 16, adults 18+ are required to show their Library card to access Central Library. This is a temporary measure to ensure safety for all. Thank you for your patience in advance.
From March 23 until April 12, Valley Park Community Centre will be closed for renovations, reopening April 13. Pool and changerooms will remain closed until early summer 2026.
Valley Park Branch will remain open during the renovations for your library needs.
As of Monday, March 2, Concession Branch's Living Room and Makerspace areas are closed. (The next nearest Makerspaces are Sherwood and Terryberry Branches.) Seating may be limited at times. Renovations are expected to be completed in late Spring. Thank you for your patience.
As of Monday, March 2, Sherwood Branch's 2nd floor is closed due to renovations. Makerspace, Children and Teen's collection are temporarily available on the 1st floor. All programs will be held in the basement program room. Renovations are expected to be completed in late Spring. Thank you for your patience.
The accessible washroom at Carlisle Branch is not working. We aim to get it fixed quickly.
Spectator File By Date. 1939-1947, 1948-1949, 1950-1953, 1954-1959
Spectator negatives S File By Date 1939-1947
1939 Royal visit
March 1943 Red Cross
May 23, 1944 Moose Hall File [some glass negatives]
V.E. Day
July 1946 Spectator Strike
July 1-6, 1946 Hamilton Centennial. Parades & costumes
July 1946 Aerial pix of Ha. During Steel Strike
July 27, 1946 Ker, David. Wedding. At horse show with Mrs. Ker
July 27, 1946 Ker, F.E. Horse show. Wedding of daughter
July 1946 Provincial Police re Strike. Stelco. At "Star" re Stelco Strike 1946
Oct. 1946 Rockton [sic] Rockton Fair
Oct. 1946 Smithville. Fair and reunion.
Bank robbery
Oct. 1946 Dick Murder Trial #1
Oct. 1946 Dick Murder Trial #2
Jan. - Feb. 1947 Dick Murder Trial #3
June 1947 Dundas. Buildings, scenes, etc.
Aug. 47 / May 48 Keen Family. Wedding/daughter with diploma
Spectator negatives S File By Date 1948-1949
Jan. 1948 Grimsby. Fire. Lincoln Memorial Hospital
March 13, 1948 HMCS Star. Open House.
[also some Nov. 21, 1947]
Aug. 1948 Liberal Convention
Sept. 1948 Progressive Conservative Convention. Ottawa
Oct. 1948 El Rancho
Nov. 1948 Investiture. Toronto
Winter 1948 Ice Boating on Bay
Feb. 1949 Ont. Good Roads Convention. Toronto
Feb. 10, 1949 Ont. Legislature Opening
March 25, 1949 Hamilton Street Railway Report
July 4, 1949 DeCew Falls. Hydro
Aug. 8, 1949 Ambersley, "Irish Davey" Murder at his "house"
Sept. 1949 Noronic. Fire at Toronto
Nov. 15, 1949 Beverly Creek changed course. (Chas. Robertson farm, 7th concession)
Dec. 7, 1949 Municipal candidates. Election of Dec. 7/49
Dec. 8, 1949-Feb. 6,1950 Jackson File #1
Spectator negatives S File By Date 1950-1953
1950 Rail strike
Jan. 26, 1950 Hamilton General Hospital. Laboratories under Dr. Deadman
Feb. 2,3,4, 1950 Canadian Figure Skating Championship St. Catharines
Feb. 6, 1950-May 2, 1950 Jackson File #2
1950 Strike. Garbage
Aug. 10, 1950 Local 5 [garbage strike]
Nov. 2, 1950 McMaster University
Nov. 25, 1950 Van Wagner's Beach. Storm
before 1951 Army. RHLI
before 1951 Bartonville
1951 [Aug. 11] Moore wedding
1951 Spectator booth at 1951 Industrial Fair
March 8, 1951 St. Joseph's Mother House. Old File [Aug. 3, 1951]
Nov. 8, 1951 Hamilton Pumping Station. Filtration Plant. Old File
1952 Aerial shots of Hamilton & District
Sept. 1952 Ancaster, Ont. Incorporation
Nov. 1952 Hamilton Cotton Company Strike
1952-3 Miss Burkholder's Features
1953 #1 [Miscellaneous]
1953 #2 [Miscellaneous]
1953 Grafton
May 18, 1953 Liberal Convention
Aug. 1953 Election Campaigns
July 1953 Transport Strike
Nov. 24, 1953 Thistle Club Centennial
Spectator negatives S File By Date 1954-1959
1954 Cancer Clinic Opening
July 24, 1954 Wentworth County Centennial
Aug. 8, 1954 Aerial pix. Hurricane Hazel
1955 Lake Swim
March 24-26, 1955 Niagara on the Lake. Ice jam & Port Dover ice
Aug. 13, 1955 Hurricane Connie
Sept. 28, 1955 G.T. French - Book binding
Jan. 18, 1956 Candid shots. City Hall Council meeting (dispute strike question Loc. 700)
Feb. 1, 1956 Legislature Opening
Oct. 23, 1956 One way streets
1957 Summer Safety pix
July - Aug. 1958 Princess Margeret [sic] visit
Oct. 13, 14, 15, 1959 Plowing match








