Sherwood Branch Closure: Wednesday, May 14

In preparation for the 1st Floor renovations, the Sherwood Branch will be closed on Wednesday, May 14. It is expected to reopen on Thursday, May 15 with the completion of the basement renovation. Thank you for your understanding.

Published:
Thursday, May 8, 2025 - 12:00pm
Study Hall, Thursday, May 8

Due to City IT maintenance, there may be an intermittent network outage between 8-10 pm during Study Hall on Thursday, May 8. Computers, printers and WiFi may not be available at times. Thank you for your patience.

All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Wednesday, May 7, 2025 - 4:00pm
All Branches Closed - Victoria Day 

All HPL Branches are closed on Sunday, May 18, and Victoria Day, Monday, May 19. Bookmobile is off the road. Extended Access and Study Hall services are not available. Our Virtual Branch is open at hpl.ca.

All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Thursday, May 1, 2025 - 9:30am
Central Library - Fire Drill

On Tuesday, May 13, a fire drill will be held at 11 am at Central Library. You may visit the Barton or Locke Branches as alternate locations for your library needs. Thank you for your understanding.

1
Affected Branch: Central Library
Published:
Wednesday, April 30, 2025 - 1:30pm
Turner Park Branch - Roof Repair

Due to the ongoing roof repair project, noise and parking disruptions are expected to continue until the end of June. Thank you for your patience.

Published:
Monday, April 28, 2025 - 10:00am
Ancaster Branch - Temporary Closure, May 5-31

From Monday, May 5 to Saturday, May 31, the Ancaster Branch will be temporarily closed due to a roof and HVAC replacement. During this time, service hours will be available at the Ancaster Rotary Centre, 385 Jerseyville Road West, Ancaster. The last day to pick up your Holds is Thursday, May 1st. Thank you for your understanding.

www.hpl.ca/ancaster

1
Published:
Wednesday, April 16, 2025 - 11:00am
Central Library - Microfilm Machine

The digital microfilm machines at Central Library are not working. A single analog machine is available, but it doesn't print. We aim to have the digital devices repaired as soon as possible. We apologize for the inconvenience.

1
Affected Branch: Central Library
Published:
Thursday, April 10, 2025 - 3:30pm
Phishing Scheme

Please be aware of online phishing attempts impersonating Hamilton Public Library and Library Staff. HPL does not solicit paid freelance opportunities through social media or other messaging applications. HPL does not request personal or banking information through social media or require financial compensation when reviewing job applications. Please report phishing schemes to communications@hpl.ca. If you think you are a victim of fraud, please call the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.

All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Thursday, April 3, 2025 - 10:30am
Sherwood Branch - Basement Renovation

The first phase of renovations continues at the Sherwood Branch. During this time, noise disruptions may occur throughout the branch due to a basement renovation. Parking, access to the building, and collections will not be affected. Thank you for your patience. www.hpl.ca/sherwood

Published:
Thursday, April 3, 2025 - 10:15am
  • Leatherdale portrait

    Genealogy: Research Your Family

    Local History & Archives has many resources to help you research your family history.

  • Hamilton Public Library (1890-1913)

    History of the Local History & Archives Department

    A brief history of the LH&A Department of Hamilton Public Library

  • Map cabinet

    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.

  • LHA Gov docs

    Government Documents Collection

    Access more than 70,000 free Canadian Government publications, digitized by Internet Archive Canada.

  • Housing in Downtown Hamilton

    Tax Assessment Records

    Tax assessment records can help in accurate dating of the construction of the building as well as disclosing the original owner and a list of occupants.

  • Records of the City of Hamilton

    Historical Records of the City of Hamilton

    Historical records for the City of Hamilton

  • City Directories

    City Directories show an alphabetical listing of street addresses which can be cross-referenced with an alphabetical listing of surnames.

  • Historypin

    Local History and Archives on Historypin

    Historypin is an image-mapping project using archival photographs

  • Dr. Annie Davis' Medical Kit

    Rare and Unusual

    There are many rare and wonderful treasures in Local History and Archives.

  • Where-To-Look Catalogue

    The "Where-to-Look" Index

    This amazing resource is an up-to-date source for finding information about Hamilton in Local History and Archives

  • Evans Photo-Album in the archives

    Local History and Archives Rules of Use

    Local History and Archives Rules of Use: an outline of member's responsibilities in partnering with staff to preserve the Local History and Archives collection

  • Students using an old-style phone at the Bell Homestead.

    Where is LHA?

    Visit Local History and Archives at Central Branch, 3rd floor.

  • Hamilton Parks Police

    Parks Police

    In the early 1940's, vandalism and other occurrences began to increase in frequency in the parks. Fred Marshal, one of Hamilton's parks superintendents, worked to reverse this trend.

  • Gore Park, 1870s

    History of Gore Park

    Gore Park has been a meeting place for Hamiltonians since the early 1800s.