From 5am to 11am, HPL's catalogue, library accounts and online resources will not be available due to technical network maintenance. We thank you in advance for your patience.
Network Maintenance, Sunday, August 30
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
Visit www.hpl.ca/hours for open alternate locations.
Published:
Tuesday, August 25, 2026 - 2:00pm
Bookmobile Schedule Modifications
Bookmobile has the following schedule modifications for September:
Mon, Sept 7: Library Closed - All Stops Cancelled
Tues, Sept 8:
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Strathcona Cancelled
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McMaster Cancelled
Thurs, Sept 10:
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Rockton moved to Saturday
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Millgrove moved to Saturday
Sat, Sept 12:
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Stoney Creek Cancelled
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Riverdale Cancelled
Published:
Monday, August 24, 2026 - 9:30am
Construction at Concession Branch
Due to construction at the Concession Branch hours are changing temporarily, beginning Fri Aug 7 to mid-September.
Mon-Thu 5-7pm
Fri Closed
Sat 9am-5pm
Members can change their Holds pickup location in their library accounts or can contact Staff. Or Holds can be paused until after the branch returns to regular open hours.
Some programs will be moved to the Sherwood Branch, 467 Upper Ottawa St. Please check hpl.ca/events for up-to-date program changes.
Published:
Wednesday, August 5, 2026 - 1:15pm
Kenilworth Branch Accessible Washroom Out of Order
The accessible washroom at Kenilworth Branch is not working. We aim to get it fixed quickly.
Published:
Thursday, July 30, 2026 - 5:45pm
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
Maps
Map cabinet
Fire Insurance Maps
These plans are valuable maps for building research. They are large scale maps that show shape, size and exact location of individual buildings. They provide detail about the construction materials, outbuildings and neighbourhoods.
1898: Local History & Archives (microfiche only) and the Lloyd Reeds Map Collection, McMaster University.
Revised to 1911 – Vol. 1, 2, 3: Local History & Archives (microfiche only) and Lloyd Reeds Map Collection, McMaster University.
1927 revised to 1947: Local History & Archives (incomplete)
1927 revised to 1933: Local History & Archives (complete)
Mid-1960’s – Vol. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5: Local History & Archives, Lloyd Reeds Map Collection, McMaster University.
Bird’s-eye View, Pictorial and Surveyor’s Maps
These types of map can show a building’s location within its neighbourhood and the city of Hamilton. These maps can also provide information about the layout of the city or town and changes in street names over the course of time.
1842 – surveyor’s map showing buildings
1854 – from the escarpment looking north
1859 – from the escarpment looking north
1876 – from the Bay looking south
1883 – from the escarpment looking north
1893 – from the Bay looking south
1909 – from the Bay looking south
1921 – surveyor’s maps showing buildings. Large versions are hanging in Local History & Archives. Smaller versions are available in the map collection.
Map inventories are available by date or by location.
Wentworth County Atlas
There were a series of detailed atlases created to document counties across Ontario. They can show locations of structures and other detail. Some buildings are also illustrated in the body of the atlas.
1875 – atlas stand
1903 – R912.7135 T985 CESH folio [note: fragile]
You can also search Historical Atlases on-line, a project hosted by McGill's Rare Books and Special Collections Division with indexed county atlas information.
