Central Library - Filming Nearby April 12-15

Due to filming in the area, there will be production vehicles and various pieces of film equipment located on:

East side of Bay Street between King Street West and York Blvd.

South side King Street East between McNab and Bay Streets

Published:

Friday, April 10, 2026 - 8:30am

Carlisle Branch Accessible Door Out of Order

The accessibility door at Carlisle Branch is not working. We aim to fix it quickly.

Published:

Thursday, April 9, 2026 - 2:15pm

Turner Park Branch - Study Hall Cancelled, Thursday, April 16

Due to exterior pavement construction, the Study Hall (8pm-Midnight) on Thursday, April 16 is cancelled. Study Hall service resumes on Monday, April 20.

The back parking lot will not be accessible from 10 pm on April 16 to 10 pm on Friday, April 17. Thank you for your understanding.

Published:

Wednesday, April 8, 2026 - 2:30pm

Concession Branch - Renovations, April 7-10

Please note that there is higher than usual noise levels and odors due to renovations taking place this week. Thank you in advance for your patience.

Published:

Tuesday, April 7, 2026 - 2:30am

Terryberry Branch Accessible Washroom Out of Order

The accessible washroom on the 1st floor at Terryberry Branch is not working. We aim to get it fixed quickly.

Published:

Saturday, April 4, 2026 - 12:00pm

Mount Hope Branch - Delayed Opening, Monday, May 4

Due to Staff training, Mount Hope Branch will have a delayed opening of 2 pm on Monday, May 4. You may visit Turner Park Branch as the next nearest location for your library needs. Thank you for your patience.

Published:

Friday, March 27, 2026 - 8:00am

Central Library: SAD Therapy Lamp Out of Order

The Seasonal Affective Disorder therapy lamp on the 2nd floor at Central Library is out of order. The estimated time of disruption is unknown at this time. For more locations, please visit Light Therapy Lamps | HPL.

Published:

Monday, March 23, 2026 - 10:00am

Central Library: Children's Area Renovation on 2nd Floor, March 30-April 27

Starting March 30, renovations for the 2nd floor Central Children's Area will begin. Programs will still be offered as scheduled and there will be a temporary pop-up Children’s Area on the northeast side of the 2nd floor (near the Piano Room), including access to collections and train tables. Thank you for your patience during this time.

Published:

Monday, March 23, 2026 - 9:00am

Bookmobile Service Modifications

Due to driver availability, Bookmobile is off the road for the following. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Wednesday, April 15

Swansea 10:00-10:30 am - Cancelled
Helen Detwiler 11am-Noon - Cancelled
Warplane Museum 3-4 pm - Cancelled

Thursday, April 16

Rockton 10:30-11:30 am - Cancelled
Mohawk Gardens 2:30-3 pm - Cancelled
Meadowlands 3:30-4 pm - Cancelled

Tuesday, April 21

Greencedar 5:30pm-6:30pm (instead of 4-5pm)
Mountview 5:30-6:30 pm - Cancelled

Friday, April 24

Winona 11 am-Noon - Cancelled
Maplewood 2:30-4 pm - Cancelled

Tuesday, April 28

McMaster 3:30-4:30 pm - Cancelled

Wednesday, April 29

Swansea 10-10:30 am - Cancelled
Helen Detwiler 11 am-Noon - Cancelled
Warplane Museum 3-4 pm - Cancelled

Published:

Monday, March 16, 2026 - 10:15am

Central Library - New Library Card Check-in Process

Starting Monday, March 16, adults 18+ are required to show their Library card to access Central Library. This is a temporary measure to ensure safety for all. Thank you for your patience in advance.

Published:

Friday, March 13, 2026 - 5:45pm

Valley Park Community Centre Closure

From March 23 until April 12, Valley Park Community Centre will be closed for renovations, reopening April 13. Pool and changerooms will remain closed until early summer 2026.

Valley Park Branch will remain open during the renovations for your library needs.

www.hpl.ca/valley-park

Published:

Friday, February 27, 2026 - 11:00am

Concession Branch: Renovations

As of Monday, March 2, Concession Branch's Living Room and Makerspace areas are closed. (The next nearest Makerspaces are Sherwood and Terryberry Branches.) Seating may be limited at times. Renovations are expected to be completed in late Spring. Thank you for your patience.

Published:

Tuesday, February 10, 2026 - 1:00pm

Sherwood Branch: Renovations

As of Monday, March 2, Sherwood Branch's 2nd floor is closed due to renovations. Makerspace, Children and Teen's collection are temporarily available on the 1st floor. All programs will be held in the basement program room. Renovations are expected to be completed in late Spring. Thank you for your patience.

Published:

Tuesday, February 10, 2026 - 1:00pm

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

Parks Police

The Parks Board couldn't transfer the parks police directly to the city force because the men couldn't meet the qualifications. Rather than just abandon the force completely, it was decided to make them park custodians with a slight pay increase. By making them park custodians, it was possible to assign them to full time positions in one park instead of having them there for only 10 minutes at a time. If they needed help, they had to call on the city police, as custodians did in other cities.

A permanent police patrol of Hamilton's parkland began May 15, 1967. The patrol was the first to be carried out on a regular basis since the six-man parks police force had been disbanded in June of 1963. Experienced men carried out the parks work and extra men filled in on regular duty. For eight hours each day, one motorcycle policeman inspected the parks in his area. Special attention was given to known trouble spots. The motorcycle policeman was in radio contact with dispatchers at Central Police Station in case trouble developed. At other hours, the parks were watched by regular patrols.

Up until 1979, the parks were patrolled by policemen in uniform. It was found that it didn't work because the people could see the policemen coming a mile away. It was decided to allow the officers to dress casually but wearing shorts was thought to be too casual. Every now and then they were called away to do something else where shorts would be inappropriate.

References:

1. Clipping Files. Hamilton - Parks - Parks Police. Local History & Archives, HPL.

2. Hamilton Police Department Scrapbook. vol. 9. p. 37. Local History & Archives, HPL (352.2 H189)

3. Steel Shots. August 23, 1963. p. 5. (Periodical)

Parks Police

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