Ancaster Branch Accessible Door Out of Order

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

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Published:
Wednesday, November 5, 2025 - 5:00pm
Parkdale Branch Network Unavailable

There is an ongoing Wifi disruption due to Wi-Fi Upgrades at Parkdale Branch on Nov 5th. We aim to resolve this issue as quickly as possible.

Published:
Wednesday, November 5, 2025 - 9:15am
Red Hill Branch Network Unavailable

There is an ongoing Wifi disruption due to Wi-Fi Upgrades at Red Hill Branch on Nov 5th. We aim to resolve this issue as quickly as possible.

Published:
Wednesday, November 5, 2025 - 9:15am
Red Book Will Be Unavailable Tonight

The Red Book will be unavailable tonight from 10PM until approximately 4AM as we are upgrading the service. Thank you for your patience.

All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Wednesday, November 5, 2025 - 9:15am
Concession Branch and Sherwood Branch Network Unavailable

Wi-Fi disruption due to Wi-Fi Upgrades at Concession Branch and Sherwood Branch on Nov 6th. We aim to resolve this issue as quickly as possible.

Published:
Monday, November 3, 2025 - 12:15pm
Waterdown Branch Network Unavailable

Wifi disruption due to Wi-Fi Upgrades at Waterdown Branch on Nov 4th. We aim to resolve this issue as quickly as possible.

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Published:
Monday, November 3, 2025 - 9:45am
Kenilworth Branch Reopening

The Kenilworth Branch has reopened today, Monday, October 27. Please note that there is limited parking, and noise disruptions may occur this week as the final touches are made to the renovations. Thank you for your understanding.

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Published:
Monday, October 27, 2025 - 3:00pm
Delayed Branch Openings 

The following locations have upcoming delayed openings due to Staff training drills. 

Friday, November 7
Terryberry Branch, 10am

Monday, November 10 
Concession Branch, 10am

Thursday, November 13
Binbrook Branch, 10am

Friday, November 14
Valley Park Branch, 10am

Monday, November 24
Mount Hope, 2pm

Thursday, November 27
Stoney Creek, 10am

You may visit nearby Branches for your library needs. www.hpl.ca/hours

All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Tuesday, October 7, 2025 - 2:00pm
Replacement and Damage Fees

Bring back your borrowed library items (due Oct 1 or later) within 28 days to avoid a replacement or lost fee. We'll remove the fee when you bring back your overdue items. 

All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Thursday, September 11, 2025 - 3:00pm

The Duet Club

Duet Club Scrapbook
Duet Club Scrapbook

The Duet Club was established in Hamilton by Ellen Ambrose in 1889, making it the earliest recorded women's music club in Canada.

Ellen Sophia Ambrose (1851-1936) came to Hamilton with her family in 1875. She taught music first at the Wesleyan Ladies' College, where her father also taught, and in 1889 began teaching at Mrs. Thomas Chesnut's Ladies' School. In 1890 she opened her own studio.

Miss Ambrose had her students gather in her studio and in their respective homes to play for each other. Membership increased and the meetings moved out of houses and the fledgling organization was first known as the Haydn Duet Club (as they had been studying Haydn). The name was later changed to Duet Club.

The members met twice a month in the morning with an occasional open meeting. Originally intended for "ladies only", the Duet Club now welcomes all who enjoy fine music and who wish to support the study of it through the extensive program sponsored by the club.

The Junior Duet Club formed in 1928 and was later disbanded. It was reformed in 1959 and in 1962 given its own funds and its own executive.

Duet Club Scrapbook
Duet Club Scrapbook

The Purpose of the Duet Club:

The purpose of the Club shall be three-fold

(a) To promote the intelligent study of music

(b) To present (and encourage) the performance of piano, vocal and string (instrumental) music at regular or open meetings

(c) To aid the advancement of music by the presentation of eminent artists and student scholarships

 

RECORD GROUP 1 ACTIVITIES

RECORD GROUP 2 AMBROSE, ELLEN SOPHIA (ca 1851- 1936)

RECORD GROUP 3 ANNUAL MEETINGS (REPORTS)

RECORD GROUP 4 CLIPPINGS AND SCRAPBOOKS

RECORD GROUP 5 CONSTITUTION & BY-LAWS

RECORD GROUP 6 CORRESPONDENCE

RECORD GROUP 7 MEMBERSHIP

RECORD GROUP 8 MINUTES

RECORD GROUP 9 MISCELLANEOUS

RECORD GROUP 10 PHOTOGRAPHS

RECORD GROUP 11 PROGRAMMES

RECORD GROUP 12 PUBLICATIONS

RECORD GROUP 13 FRAMED PLAQUES