Due to online maintenance, Members can not access HPL's catalogue, online services and resources on Sunday, July 19 from 5am-10am. Thank you in advance for your understanding.
HPL Catalogue and Online Resources Not Available - Sunday, July 19
Published:
Monday, July 13, 2026 - 3:00pm
Cool Places - Heat Alert in Place
The Medical Officer of Health for the City of Hamilton has initiated a Heat Warning beginning today, Monday, July 13. Heat Warnings stay in effect until they are cancelled or escalated to an Extended Heat Warning. All HPL Library locations are Cool Places. Stay hydrated, Hamilton. www.hpl.ca/hours
Published:
Monday, July 13, 2026 - 9:30am
Bookmobile Service Modification
Bookmobile Service Modifications
Wed, July 15:
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Helen Detwiler Cancelled
Published:
Monday, July 13, 2026 - 8:00am
Express Items via OverDrive - Partner Libraries Update
As of July 1st, partner library Members can no longer borrow HPL Express items via Overdrive. More to Borrow partner libraries will be offering Lucky Express (Skip the line) titles to their cardholders only. This will help manage wait times for popular titles. Lucky Express is a collection of in demand titles with a seven-day loan period, available with no wait.
Our partners will still be able to borrow titles from the rest of our collection.
www.hpl.ca/more-to-borrow
Published:
Monday, July 6, 2026 - 10:00am
What's Happening Guide Changes
The What's Happening Guide has been retired and replaced with different communications channels and tactics. You can find the new Summer Reading Flyer here. Watch for future communications updates.
Published:
Monday, June 29, 2026 - 3:00pm
Sunday Hours Return to Central Library
Sunday hours return to Central Library. Beginning July 5, Central is open Noon to 5pm. Dundas, Red Hill, Terryberry, Turner Park, Valley Park and Waterdown branches are also open Sundays, 1 to 5pm. hpl.ca/hours
Published:
Monday, June 29, 2026 - 1:00pm
Study Halls Pause for Summer Break
After Hours Study Hall is not available in July and August. Hours will resume Tuesday, September 8. www.hpl.ca/study-halls
Published:
Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 3:00pm
Desjardins Canal Disaster
How the accident was first discovered
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.)
There is but one small house, belonging to the poor woman who behaved so nobly by the Doyle children near the fallen bridge; and she was looking out of the window as the train approached. She says the catastrophe made little noise. The train seemed to sway to one side, and then all disappeared. It is probably the swaying was the first passenger car overturning. She says she saw a man leap from the locomotive immediately before it disappeared. This was likely the engineer, as he was found with his neck broken on the ice. At the same time one of the workmen at the station house - it is about a mile distant from the broken bridge - who was watching the train coming in saw the steam suddenly stop, and a sort of dust arise. In a second there was no train to be seen. The alarm was at once given; and we believe that all persons connected with the railroad have exerted themselves most assiduously since, to render all the assistance they could. The crash was not heard at the depot.
("The Calamitous Railroad Accident at Burlington Bridge! Over the Des Jardines Canal, Canada." Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, 4 April 1857: 277-278.)
