Carlisle Branch - Early Closure

Carlisle Branch will close Early on Wednesday, February 18, 2026 due to poor weather. 

Published:
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 - 1:15pm
All Branches Close at 4pm Today

Due to worsening weather, all HPL Branches will close at 4 pm today, Wednesday, February 18. Bookmobile is off the road. Study Halls and Extended Access are not available.  Staff is available by telephone, email, or chat between 4-8pm.

Stay tuned for updates on Thursday morning. 

Published:
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 - 1:00pm
Greensville, Red Hill, Valley Park Branch Closure

Greensville, Valley Park (closed at 1:30), and Red Hill Branch (closed at 12:30pm) will be closed on Wednesday, February 18, 2026 due to poor weather. 

Published:
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 - 7:00am
Bookmobile Stops Cancelled- Wednesday February 18

All Bookmobile stops are cancelled today, Wednesday, February 18, 2026 due to poor weather. 

Published:
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 - 7:00am
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
Central Library - Jackson Square Entrance

On Wednesday, February 18, the Jackson Square Entrance's sliding doors are scheduled for repairs. Please use York Boulevard as an alternate entrance. Thank you for your patience.

Published:
Friday, February 13, 2026 - 12:00pm
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.

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.