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All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Friday, May 16, 2025 - 4:30pm
Construction Work at Sherwood Branch

On Thursday, May 15, the library reopens with normal hours but with the following service limitations:

  • 1st Floor is closed to the public
  • Limited browsing collections of Express Adult Fic and Express DVDs are available on the 2nd Floor
  • Holds pickup is available on the 2nd Floor
  • Reduced number of public computers on 2nd Floor
  • Printing and copying available on 2nd Floor
  • Seating capacity is reduced
  • All 2nd Floor collections (teen, children, and graphic novels) are available 
  • Parking, washroom and elevator access are not affected

Please refer to hpl.ca/events for up-to-date program listings. Most programs will continue as normal on the 2nd Floor or in the basement. 

Published:
Thursday, May 15, 2025 - 2:30pm
All Branches Closed - May 30, Staff Professional Development

All HPL Branches are closed on Friday, May 30 for Staff Professional Development Day. Bookmobile is off the road and Extended Access service is not available. Our Virtual Branch is open at hpl.ca. Regular service hours resume Saturday, May 31. Thank you for your understanding.

All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Monday, May 12, 2025 - 8:00am
Bookmobile Service Cancellations

These Bookmobile visits are cancelled this month:

Thursday May 15: Rockton and Meadowlands

Friday, May 16: Huntington Park

Friday, May 30: Huntington Park, Winona, and Maplewood

These Bookmobile visits are shortened:

Thursday May 15: Mohawk Gardens 2-2:30pm

Thursday May 15: Bennetto, 4:30-5:30pm

Published:
Friday, May 9, 2025 - 8:00am
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
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

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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.

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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

Canadiana Collection

D’Anville map of Canada, 1755
D’Anville map of Canada, 1755

Since the formation of the Hamilton Public Library in 1889, one of its mandates has been to emphasize and make available material regarding Canadian history. From the earliest days, books, pamphlets, and other materials have been actively collected. With the 1905 donation of a sizable collection of early Canadian books by Emerson Bristol Biggar, a well known author and journalist, this collection was finally united, later being placed in the Canadiana Room in 1914. In 1974, this collection became part of the Special Collections Department. In February of 2008, the name of the department was changed to Local History & Archives.

The Canadiana collection is a collection of books about Canada, written by Canadians, published by Canadians, or having something to do with the history of Canada.

Within this collection are many fine examples of early printing, including de Charlevoix' Histoire de la Nouvelle France, published in 1744, and John Oldmixon's The British Empire in America, published in 1708. Major collecting strengths in this collection include sections of early exploration in Canada, featuring such well known books as Travels in Canada and the United States in 1816 and 1817 by Francis Hall, Five Years Residence in the Canadas by Edward Allen Talbot, published in 1824, A Theatrical Trip for a Wager! by Horton Rhys, published in 1861, Travels Through the Canadas by George Heriot, published in 1813, and Anbury's Travels Through the Interior Parts of America, published in 1791. Some of these books contain early descriptions of the Hamilton area and are excerpted in the Heritage Day Speech entitled Greetings from Hamilton.

Other collections include Arctic exploration, with an emphasis on the mid 19th century search for the remains of the Sir John Franklin expedition. This search and the reward offered are of particular interest to Hamiltonians because the ultimate winner of the reward was, for a time, a resident of Hamilton: John Rae. During his stay here, Rae was well known for wandering the streets in Eskimo garb, shouting to imagined Husky dogs.

Other books in the Canadiana Collection include a large amount of early Canadian fiction, township and county histories, military lists, year books, Parliamentary companions, biographies, autobiographies, and books of so many other types that it is not possible to list them here. These fascinating examples of Canadiana span from 1708 to the present.  Visit Local History & Archives today to explore this vast collection.