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
Central Library - Fourth Floor Closure

The 4th Floor is closed on Thursday, October 30 from 4-8pm for a special event. Makerspace and Newcomer Learning Centre will remain open. Floors 1-3 are available with study and work spaces. 

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

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

Thursday, October 30
Parkdale Branch, 9:30am

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

Spectator Collection Antiquarian Photographs

Introduction

Forty original photographs (most late 19th or early 20th century) of Hamilton and area were transferred from the Spectator Library to Special Collections [now Local History & Archives] in 1990. They have all been copied by the Hamilton Public Library photographer and (with 5 exceptions) identified, mounted and added to the Picture Collection under the following headings. The number after the heading refers to the Local History & Archives negative number.

The original photographs are in storage.

Headings

Hamilton - Schools - Queen Victoria School (#02528)

Hamilton - Streets - King Street East (Photographer Lyonde) (#02529)

Hamilton - Storms - 1898 (Main & Hughson Streets: Photographer G. Lees) (#02530)

Hamilton - Canals - Desjardins Canal (Photographer: Lyonde) (#02531)

Hamilton - Harbour (#02532)

Hamilton - Hospitals - Ontario Hospital (Photographer: William Farmer) (#02533)

Hamilton - Schools - Central School (#02534)

Hamilton - Parks - Ainslie's Woods (Photographer: Lyonde) (#02535)

Hamilton - Churches - All Saints Church (#02536)

Hamilton - Churches - St. Thomas Anglican Church (#02537)

Hamilton - Churches - Macnab Street Presbyterian Church (corner Macnab and Jackson Streets before the Sunday School was built) (#02538)

Hamilton - Schools - Murray Street School (#02539)

Hamilton - Hospitals - General Hospital (#02540)

Hamilton - Hospitals - Ontario Hospital (#02541)

Hamilton - Hotels - Ocean House (#02542)

Hamilton - Hospitals - General Hospital (#02543)

Hamilton - Hospitals - Ontario Hospital (Photographer: William Farmer, 1889) (#02544)

Hamilton - Incline Railways - Hamilton & Barton Incline Railway (#02545)

Hamilton - Industries - Sanford, W.E. Manufacturing Co. (#02546)

Hamilton - Cemeteries - Hamilton Cemetery (#02547)

Hamilton - Roads - Mountain Roads - Beckett Drive (#02548)

Hamilton - Schools - Cannon Street School (Photographer: William Farmer, 1889) (#02549)

Hamilton - Canals - Burlington Canal (Ocean House in background) (#02550)

Hamilton - Militia - Drill Hall (Photographer: William Farmer, 1889) (#02551)

Hamilton - Churches - All Saints Church (#02552)

Hamilton - Canals - Burlington Canal (#02553)

Hamilton - Schools - Hess Street School (Photographer: William Farmer, 1889)

Hamilton - Libraries - Hamilton Public Library (1890-1913) (#02555)

Hamilton - Storms - 1898 (Main Street West. Photographer: G. Lees) (#02556)

Hamilton - Organizations & Societies - Royal Hamilton Yacht Club (Photographer: C.S. Cochran) (#02557)

Hamilton - Historic Houses - Balquihidder [the photograph is actually of Wesanford] (#02558)

Unidentified lady with cello (Photographer: Lyonde) (#02559)

Hamilton - Organizations & Societies - Royal Templars of Temperance (James Street North at the north-west corner of Vine St.) (#02560)

Hamilton - School - Picton School (The corner of a shack adjoining to the east is a builder's convenience while St. Lawrence Church is being erected. Photographer: William Farmer) (#02561)

Hamilton - Schools - Collegiate Institute (Opened 1866 as Grammar School and changed in 1871 to High School and then Collegiate Institute. 1899 renovated and re-opened as Caroline Street Public School. 1930 Caroline Street Pre-Vocational School then Boy's Handicraft School. 1941 renamed F.W. McBeth School for Boys then closed. 1948 expropriated. 1949 razed) (#02562)

Hamilton - Churches - St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church (#02563)

Hamilton - Schools - Ryerson School (#02564)

Waterfall (#02565)

Waterfall (#02566)

Waterfall (#02567)