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

Desjardins Canal Disaster Illustrations

Desjardins Canal disaster, 1857

The Toronto Railway train breaking through the tressle bridge over the Des Jardines Canal, falling sixty feet into the gulf below. From a sketch by Col. Frank Foster, of Philadelphia. (Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, 4 April 1857: 265.)

Desjardins Canal disaster, 1857

Frightful Accident on the Great Western Railway, March 12th, 1857. Toronto, Ont.: L.D. Campbell, [1857?]. (Original Photographs Collection. Local History & Archives. Hamilton Public Library.)

Desjardins Canal disaster, 1857

View of the Disaster of the Great Western Railway at the Desjardins Canal Bridge, Hamilton, C.W. on Thursday March 12, 1857. Hamilton, Ont.: Spectator Office, [1857?]. (Original Photographs Collection. Local History & Archives. Hamilton Public Library.)

Desjardins Canal disaster, 1857

View of the accident taken N.W. from Hamilton Bay, suspension bridge in the background. From a photograph by D.C. Beere, Esq. (Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, 4 April 1857: 272.)

Desjardins Canal disaster, 1857

The people living in the vicinity of the broken bridge, hunting around the ruins for the dead and wounded. (Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, 4 April 1857: 272)

A sketch depicting railway conductors raising the crashed train cars at the scene of the Desjardins Canal disaster in 1857.

The conductors of the railway raising the ruins of the cars. From a sketch by Mr. Lum. (Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, 4 April 1857: 273.)

Desjardins Canal disaster, 1857

Relations and friends searching among the dead bodies laid out in the large room adjoining the station house. (Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, 4 April 1857: 277.)

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Desjardins Canal disaster, 1857

The conductor and two passengers jumping from the last car as it was going over the precipice. (Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, 4 April 1857: 277.)

Desjardins Canal disaster, 1857

Grappling in the canal for the dead. (Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, 4 April 1857: 277.)

Desjardins Canal disaster, 1857

Passengers crossing the canal on the rafts. (Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, 4 April 1857: 277.)

Desjardins Canal disaster, 1857

The German rescuing his friend from the car window. (Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, 4 April 1857: 277.)

Desjardins Canal disaster, 1857

The rescue of the little girl from a cake of floating ice. (Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, 4 April 1857: 277.)

Desjardins Canal disaster, 1857

The Doyle children carried up the hill by their preserver and a passenger. (Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, 4 April 1857: 277.)