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.
Concession Branch - Upcoming Renovations
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
Family Day Closure
All HPL Branches are closed on Family Day, Monday, February 16. Bookmobile is off the Road. Extended Access and Study Hall is not available. Regular service hours resume on Tuesday, February 17.
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.
Tuesday, February 10
McMaster University will be 3:30-4 pm (instead of 3:30-4:30 pm
Greencedar will be 5-5:30 pm (instead of 4-5 pm)
Mountview will be 6-6:30 pm (instead of 5:30-6:30 pm)
Friday, February 13
Winona (11am-Noon) - Cancelled
Queen Victoria (3-4pm) - Cancelled
Family Day, Monday, February 16
Bookmobile is off the road.
Tuesday, February 17
McMaster University (3:30-4:30pm) - Cancelled
Thursday, February 19
Rockton (10:30am-11:30am) - Cancelled
Bennetto 5-5:30pm (instead of 4-5:30pm)
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
Central Library - Daily Hours Update
Starting Monday, February 2, Central Library's daily hours will move back to a 9 am opening instead of 8 am, Monday through Saturday. Please make note of this new service change for your next visit. www.hpl.ca/hours
Published:
Wednesday, January 21, 2026 - 11:00am
Woodhouse Collection - Listing of Volumes 1-8
#2-1
Central Portion of the City Enlarged
[City of Hamilton, Marcus Smith, 1850-1]
#2-2
Red Hill on H. G. & B. Railway looking west
[Hamilton, Grimsby & Beamsville Railway]
#2-3
[Hamilton. Robert Whale. Aug. 2, 1852]
#2-4
Hamilton
about 1860
#2-5
[Hamilton]
Looking North east from about Emerald St. 1895
#2-6
[Hamilton]
MacNab St. & Westerly about 1885
#2-7
[Hamilton]
#2-8
[Hamilton]
#2-9
[Hamilton]
1875
#2-10
[Hamilton]
About 1890-95. Looking westerly across the Ottawa Street Reservoir
#2-11
S.E. Corner of King & James Sts.
About 1865
#2-12
South side of King St., East of James.
About 1862
#2-13
[Hamilton]
note gas sign - Hamilton VR = Hamilton For Ever
#2-14
[Hamilton]
In 1860 where are the telephone and electric poles?
#2-15
King Street East at James Street.
Note absence of any poles.
About 1862
#2-16
[Hamilton]
In 1900 there are plenty of poles
About 1899
#2-17
[Hamilton]
Where are the poles in 1948? Telephone, Hydro, etc.
#2-18
James Street looking north from Hunter St.
About 1880
Left: Dr. Rosebrugh's house
Right: Thompson's store verandah
#2-19
[James Street South]
On right: house, Harrison's Butcher Shop, McGrath's Carriage Works
and blacksmith where YMCA now
#2-20
Kronsbein Block in 1912
4 to 10 Main St. E.
The first telephone exchange in the British Empire was located in #6's basement, starting July 15, 1878. It was moved to the 1st floor rear on Feb. 14, 1879, in #4 Main St. In July 1879, it was moved to the 2nd room from the front in #4
#2-21
Property of Telephone Historical Collection
The Bell Telephone Company of Canada
#2-22
Property of Telephone Historical Collection
The Bell Telephone Company of Canada
#2-23
James Street South of King Street about 1900
#2-24
Looking South on James from Gore Park
left to right: Bank of Montreal, Federal Life Bldg (now Sun Life),
Commercial Centre, Spectator Bldg., G.W. Robinson, Osborne Chambers
#2-25
Hunter St. E. of James about 1880
Gardner Sewing Machine Co. later Wilson Sewing Machine Co.
1st Salvation Army Barracks.
Clintons - a colored family lived just east. had two very handsome daughters.
Powell's Greenhouses further east at Hughson.
#2-26
James St. S. of King about 1862
#2-27
Commercial Centre
Bank of Montreal. Main & James Sts.
#2-28
King E. of John
Wesleyan Female Institute
About 1870
#2-29
Bank of British North America.
Now the Hydro Building
#2-30
North American Hotel
Later Wesleyan Female Institute
Later Waldorf Hotel
Now replaced by Royal Connaught
This fountain was moved in front of Ham. Gen. Hospital. Barton St.
About 1880
#2-31
[Hamilton]
#2-32
King St. E. looking west from W of John St.
Note: Wood block pavement
#2-33
Hamilton Provident & Loan Bldg.
About 1900
#2-34
King St. looking west from John St. about 1875
Hamilton Provident & Loan Bldg. Canadian Bank of Commerce.
Canada Life Bldg.
#2-35
About 1875
[top left:] Site of 1st - Federal Bank, 2nd - Molson's Bank, 3rd Bank of Hamilton,
4th - Canadian Bank of Commerce
#2-36
Looking west toward King & James St.
Gore Park from roof of Ham. Prov. & Loan Bldg.
About 1875
#2-37
[Hamilton]
1861
#2-38
[Hamilton]
1861
#2-39
King St., north side, west of John, looking west
1863
#2-40
King St., south side, east of John
Now Royal Connaught
about 1875
#2-41
[Hamilton]
About 1892
#2-42
McInnes Bldg. 1879
Today's Post Office corner
#2-43
McInnes Fire. Aug. 1, 1879
#2-44
McInnes Bldg. (SW corner King & John Sts)
Burned Aug. 1, 1879
#2-45
McInnes Bldg. 1879
#2-46
King St., south side, west of John.
[left] Ruins of McInnes Bldg. After the fire
Now the Post office site
#2-47
S.E. corner, King & James Sts. 1900
[right:] bicycle stepping stone
#2-48
Sir John A. Macdonald Monument
Wanzer Factory, Waldorf
#2-49
John St., east side, south of King
Now Royal Connaught
#2-50
Long & Bisby Wool Warehouse
S.E. Corner Main & John Sts.
[left: Main St., right: John St.]
#2-51
1898. U.G. Pole on Hughson, just N. of Main St. 6-40 wire cables & 1-10 pin arms each carrying 20 wires, 10 on pins & 10 on knobs under the arms
#2-52
About 1898
#2-53
The Delta, looking west. 1920
#2-54
Vinegar works on Stuart St.
Just east of the Custom House.
