Hamilton’s Public Library Board is reviewing whether it can keep libraries open during snow events following Hamilton City Hall’s post-COVID changes to snow clearing, which no longer prioritize keeping the library and the Farmer’s Market open.
On Thursday, February 13, Hamilton experienced a 30-centimetre snow event.
All schools were closed, and the City of Hamilton followed suit by closing all its facilities.
The Hamilton Public Library announced it would be closed that morning, and the Central Library branch would open at 1:00 p.m.
“In the aftermath of a recent major storm, we had scheduled to open at 1 pm, to give time for snow clearing and employees to safely get in to work,” Chief Librarian Paul Takala told the Library Board on April 16 in a written report. “Shortly after the decision to open late was announced, the City declared they were closing all facilities and were not prioritizing snow cleaning at City facilities.”
The Central Library remain closed that day.
The Library’s snow policy is to minimize closures. When it is necessary to close, the Library seeks to reopen as soon as it is safe to do so.
Library officials will meet with City Hall officials in the coming weeks to request the City assist to keep library branches open during snow events.
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Published: April 21, 2025
Last updated: April 21, 2025
Author: Joey Coleman
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Snow removal during that event was PITIFUL, to be generous!? They did not adequately clear most bus stops at all and this included the main terminus in the King and James area! Not sure what was going through the tall foreheads craniums but hopefully this serves as a wake up call that a better job has to be done when a major snowfall occurs!?