Large Format Printer Currently Unavailable

The Large Format Printer is not working at Dundas Branch. We aim to fix it as soon as possible.

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Published:
Friday, November 14, 2025 - 4:30pm
Bookmobile Service Modification

Please note the Bookmobile will be attending the following community events.

Saturday, November 15:

  • Hamilton Santa Claus Parade, 2-4pm

Saturdays, November 22 and 29: 

  • Hess Village Winter Market, 10:30am-4:30pm
  • Regular Saturday Visits cancelled for both dates. 

Saturday, December 6:

  • Stoney Creek Santa Claus Parade 2-4pm
  • Millgrove Visit is cancelled.
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Affected Branch: Bookmobile
Nearest Branches: 
Published:
Friday, November 14, 2025 - 1:00pm
Kenilworth Branch Reopening

Noise and limited parking continue at the Kenilworth Branch this week as renovations wrap up. Thank you for your understanding.

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

The following locations will open later than scheduled to allow for Staff training drills. 

Monday, November 24
Mount Hope, 2pm

Thursday, November 27
Stoney Creek, 10am

Please visit nearby branches. 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

Beckett Collection

Hamilton Street Railway, 1912
Hamilton Street Railway, 1912

Hubert William Beckett (ca1892-1967) was born in Hamilton. After gaining some renown as an amateur photographer of children, he opened a professional studio in 1925, on James Street South, and was active as a portrait photographer until his deathin 1967 at age 75.

In November of 1972, his collection of negatives and filing cards was delivered to the Hamilton Public Library. This collection consisted of 35.4 metres of photographic negatives, with the corresponding index cards.

In 1977, approximately 14,000 of the negatives were found to be on a cellulose [acetate] nitrate base and therefore highly flammable. These negatives were duplicated and the originals destroyed.

There are approximately 26,000 negatives in the Beckett Collection.

Finding Aid: There is an in-house finding aid to this collection