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.
Central Library - New Library Card Check-in Process
Published:
Friday, March 13, 2026 - 5:45pm
Central Library - Fourth Floor Closure, March 18
The 4th Floor will be closed on Wednesday, March 18, 11:30 am-2:30 pm for a Magic Show. Makerspace and Newcomer Learning Centre will remain open. Study and work spaces, including Study Pods, are available on Floors 2-3. Thank you for your patience.
Published:
Thursday, March 12, 2026 - 8:00am
Central Library - Fourth Floor Closure, March 21
The 4th Floor will be closed on Saturday, March 21, 9 am-4 pm, for a March Break event, SciFUN Day. Makerspace and Newcomer Learning Centre will remain open. Study and work spaces, including Study Pods, are available on Floors 2-3. Thank you for your patience.
Published:
Thursday, March 12, 2026 - 8:00am
Concession Branch Children's Area Reduced Service
A Children's area activity table, including the children's computers at Concession Branch are unavailable due to a facility issue. We aim to fix them as soon as possible.
Published:
Monday, March 9, 2026 - 11:30am
Bookmobile Service Modifications
With the recent closure of Six Nations Public Library, HPL's Bookmobile will change its bi-weekly visits to weekly starting Friday, March 13.
Starting Tuesday, March 17, Court at Rushdale moves to bi-weekly on Tuesdays (10:30am-11am), instead of Fridays.
Published:
Friday, March 6, 2026 - 1:45pm
HPL Telephone Main Line Roll Back
HPL's original phone number is back in service. Please call 905-546-3200. The 289-779-7588 number, created due to the 2024 cybersecurity incident, is also working.
Published:
Friday, March 6, 2026 - 9:15am
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.
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
Central Library - Living Room Renovation Preparation
Starting Tuesday February 10, the First Floor Living Room is closed due to renovation preparations. Study and work spaces are available on Floors 2-4. Thank you for your patience.
Published:
Friday, February 6, 2026 - 9:00am
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
Hamilton Police Dogs
Police dogs Sandy and King join the force, 1960
"Police dogs are used with success elsewhere, let's give them a trial period here," recommended Police Chief Leonard G. Lawrence to the Board of Police Commissioners. The Board agreed. Since July 1, 1960, the citizens of Hamilton have benefited from this important decision to add the unique abilities of canines to the police service.
Citizens donated two beautiful and intelligent German Shepherd dogs: "Sandy" was given by Mr. and Mrs. A. Ogilvie, No. 53 Highway, Hamilton. "King" by 8 year old Johnny Newcombe, 150 West 24th St., Hamilton. K-9 "Sandy" is now handled by Police Sergeant John Brabbs. K-9 "King" is handled by Police Constable Richard Griffiths. Each dog is fed and kept in an outdoor kennel at the handler's home. The specialized experience of a veteran dog trainer is obtained from Mr. Henry Alferink, who spent the last 11 years of his 30 year police career in Holland training police dogs.
Formal training classes continue twice weekly, with additional daily drills keeping the dogs alert and in top physical condition. After the basic obedience training was over, they quickly learned how to find and fetch various articles like keys, bottles, wallets, tools and guns. Their keen noses enabled them to out-class their two legged colleagues in searching for lost persons, burglars hidden in large buildings or trailed through city streets and back alleys.
A word or gesture usually directs the dogs, but they will immediately defend their masters from attack, tackling even an armed person firing a gun at them. In sharp contrast to this fierce courage in combat, both dogs are gentle enough to enjoy playful rough-and-tumble with the officers' young children.
Police dogs Sandy and King
When they approach a lost child, the dogs are trained to sit and bark for their police handlers to come. Within the first six months of their trial period, the police dogs have been instrumental in the arrests of prowlers, burglars, and even careless drivers. They have been particularly effective in controlling and dispersing large crowds of disorderly people. The appearance of "Sandy" or "King" quickly breaks up street fights.
Although they should not be considered as wonder dogs, they have already proven through their willing service to be an asset to the Hamilton Police Department.
Whenever a situation arised when the use of police dogs for searching or tracking seems likely, remember, it is extremely important not to foul the scent or track. Stand back and preserve the scene. Your cooperations and the handler's skill are both needed to gain the full benefits of our capable k-9s "Sandy" and "King".
Source: Hamilton Police Department Annual Report, 1960
