All HPL Branches are closed on Sunday, September 6 and Labour Day, Monday, September 7. Bookmobile is off the road. Extended Access is not available. Regular service hours resume on Tuesday, September 8.
Labour Day - All HPL Branches Closed
Published:
Monday, August 31, 2026 - 2:45pm
Barton Branch - Construction in Area
Please note that Milton Avenue at Barton Street is under construction. Access to the parking lot is limited. Nearby street parking is available and an HSR route out front. Thank you for your patience.
Published:
Monday, August 31, 2026 - 2:30pm
Print on the Go Currently Unavailable
The Print on the Go service is not working at all Branches. We aim to fix it as soon as possible.
Published:
Thursday, August 27, 2026 - 12:30pm
Concession Branch - Temporarily Reopening
Starting Thursday, August 27, the Branch has reopened to its regular hours with limited services for a few weeks while construction is paused. The interior construction of a new Makerspace will resume in mid-September. Stay tuned for more updates.
Published:
Thursday, August 27, 2026 - 8:00am
Delayed Openings and Closures
Due to Staff training, the following service modifications are planned.
- Turner Park: Wednesday, September 2, Noon-1 pm Closure
- Red Hill: Friday, September 18, Delayed Opening of 10 am
- Central Library: Tuesday, September 29, Delayed Opening of 10 am
Visit www.hpl.ca/hours for open alternate locations.
Published:
Tuesday, August 25, 2026 - 2:00pm
Bookmobile Schedule Modifications for September
Bookmobile has the following schedule modifications for September:
Please visit www.hpl.ca/bookmobile for updates on service modifications.
Tuesday, September 8
- Strathcona - Cancelled
- McMaster - Cancelled
Thursday, September 10
- Rockton and Millgrove visits moved to Saturdays (Starting September 12)
Saturday, September 12
- Stoney Creek - Cancelled
- Riverdale - Cancelled
Thursday, September 17
- Mohawk Gardens - Cancelled
- Meadowlands - Cancelled
Friday, September 18
- Winona - Cancelled
- Queen Victoria - Cancelled
Published:
Monday, August 24, 2026 - 9:30am
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
History of City Hall
Map of downtown Hamilton
When the Town of Hamilton was incorporated in 1833, one of the first orders of business, after a closely fought election where 3 out of the 4 candidates had no opposition (1), was to find a suitable place for the town board to meet. For the first few years they made do with meeting in local taverns, such as Thomas Wilson's inn on the corner of John and Jackson Streets (2). Mr. Wilson had no objection as he was paid quite well for the privilege of having the governing body of Hamilton in his establishment. The accounts for the town list his payment for the rental of the room as £0/7/6 in 1835 (3).
However, a tavern was not the ideal place to conduct the business of the town and in 1835 Council paid Stephenson Woods £2/15/0 for a plan of an Engine House. In 1836 they paid William Hardy £1/5/0 for drawing the specifications for this plan, contracting Scott & Biggart to build the structure. By November 25, 1835, Council had paid a total of £50/0/0 on account for the construction (4). On August 9, 1836, A. Ross & Co. was paid (£2/0/0) for painting the Engine House (5) and council soon moved in, sharing quarters with the fire department and with the cells in the basement, to conduct the city's business from this more suitable environment.
