Construction work at Concession Branch

Branch renovations at Concession Branch from April till May may impact your visit. Apologies for any inconvienence.

Published:
Monday, April 13, 2026 - 1:15pm
Concession Branch Drop Box Unavailable

The drop box at Concession Branch is closed. Please return your items at the Info Desk. 

Published:
Saturday, April 11, 2026 - 12:15pm
Central Library - Filming Nearby April 12-15

Due to filming in the area, there will be production vehicles and various pieces of film equipment located on:

East side of Bay Street between King Street West and York Blvd. 

South side King Street East between McNab and Bay Streets

Published:
Friday, April 10, 2026 - 8:30am
Carlisle Branch Accessible Door Out of Order

The accessibility door at Carlisle Branch is not working. We aim to fix it quickly.

Published:
Thursday, April 9, 2026 - 2:15pm
Turner Park Branch - Study Hall Cancelled, Thursday, April 16

Due to exterior pavement construction, the Study Hall (8pm-Midnight) on Thursday, April 16 is cancelled. Study Hall service resumes on Monday, April 20. 

The back parking lot will not be accessible from 10 pm on Thursday, April 16 to 5am on Friday, April 17. It will also be blocked off starting 10 pm on Friday, April 17, until 5 am on Saturday, April 18. Thank you for your understanding.

Published:
Wednesday, April 8, 2026 - 2:30pm
Mount Hope Branch - Delayed Opening, Monday, May 4

Due to Staff training, Mount Hope Branch will have a delayed opening of 2 pm on Monday, May 4. You may visit Turner Park Branch as the next nearest location for your library needs. Thank you for your patience.

Published:
Friday, March 27, 2026 - 8:00am
Central Library: SAD Therapy Lamp Out of Order

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.

Published:
Monday, March 23, 2026 - 10:00am
Central Library: Children's Area Renovation on 2nd Floor, March 30-April 27

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.

Published:
Monday, March 23, 2026 - 9:00am
Bookmobile Service Modifications

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
Published:
Monday, March 16, 2026 - 10:15am
Central Library - New Library Card Check-in Process

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.

Published:
Friday, March 13, 2026 - 5:45pm
Valley Park Community Centre Closure

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.

www.hpl.ca/valley-park

Published:
Friday, February 27, 2026 - 11:00am
Concession Branch: Renovations

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.

Published:
Tuesday, February 10, 2026 - 1:00pm
Sherwood Branch: Renovations

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.

Published:
Tuesday, February 10, 2026 - 1:00pm
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

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