Kenilworth Branch - 2nd Floor Morning Closure

Kenilworth's 2nd floor is closed on Thursday, April 16, from 9 am to Noon. All programs are moved to the Program Room in the basement during this time. We apologize for the inconvenience. 

Published:
Wednesday, April 15, 2026 - 10:30am
Ancaster Branch Women's Washroom Out of Order - April 15

The women's  washroom at Ancaster Branch will be unavailable on April 15 while undergoing maintenance.

Published:
Tuesday, April 14, 2026 - 5:00pm
Printing Unavailable at Greensville Branch

Printing is not working at Greensville Branch. We aim to fix it as soon as possible.

Published:
Monday, April 13, 2026 - 6:15pm
Construction work at Concession Branch

Branch renovations at Concession Branch from April till May may impact your visit. Apologies for any inconvienence.

Published:
Monday, April 13, 2026 - 1:15pm
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 - Study Hall Cancellations

Due to maintenance and construction, Study Hall is cancelled on Thursdays, April 16 and 23 (8pm-Midnight). The parking lot will also not be available on Thursday, April 23 and Friday, April 24. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Published:
Wednesday, April 8, 2026 - 2:30pm
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: 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
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

The Duet Club

Duet Club Scrapbook
Duet Club Scrapbook

The Duet Club was established in Hamilton by Ellen Ambrose in 1889, making it the earliest recorded women's music club in Canada.

Ellen Sophia Ambrose (1851-1936) came to Hamilton with her family in 1875. She taught music first at the Wesleyan Ladies' College, where her father also taught, and in 1889 began teaching at Mrs. Thomas Chesnut's Ladies' School. In 1890 she opened her own studio.

Miss Ambrose had her students gather in her studio and in their respective homes to play for each other. Membership increased and the meetings moved out of houses and the fledgling organization was first known as the Haydn Duet Club (as they had been studying Haydn). The name was later changed to Duet Club.

The members met twice a month in the morning with an occasional open meeting. Originally intended for "ladies only", the Duet Club now welcomes all who enjoy fine music and who wish to support the study of it through the extensive program sponsored by the club.

The Junior Duet Club formed in 1928 and was later disbanded. It was reformed in 1959 and in 1962 given its own funds and its own executive.

Duet Club Scrapbook
Duet Club Scrapbook

The Purpose of the Duet Club:

The purpose of the Club shall be three-fold

(a) To promote the intelligent study of music

(b) To present (and encourage) the performance of piano, vocal and string (instrumental) music at regular or open meetings

(c) To aid the advancement of music by the presentation of eminent artists and student scholarships

 

RECORD GROUP 1 ACTIVITIES

RECORD GROUP 2 AMBROSE, ELLEN SOPHIA (ca 1851- 1936)

RECORD GROUP 3 ANNUAL MEETINGS (REPORTS)

RECORD GROUP 4 CLIPPINGS AND SCRAPBOOKS

RECORD GROUP 5 CONSTITUTION & BY-LAWS

RECORD GROUP 6 CORRESPONDENCE

RECORD GROUP 7 MEMBERSHIP

RECORD GROUP 8 MINUTES

RECORD GROUP 9 MISCELLANEOUS

RECORD GROUP 10 PHOTOGRAPHS

RECORD GROUP 11 PROGRAMMES

RECORD GROUP 12 PUBLICATIONS

RECORD GROUP 13 FRAMED PLAQUES