The accessibility ramp at Mount Hope Branch is damaged. The handrail is not available. The ramp will not be available while being repaired. We aim to fix it quickly.
Extended Access at the Freelton Branch is not working. Please visit during staffed hours. We aim to fix it quickly. Apologies for the inconvenience.
The Sherwood Branch has following service limitations due to construction:
- 1st Floor closed to the public
- 2nd Floor collections (teen, children, and graphic novels) available
- 2nd Floor: Limited browsing of Express Adult Fic and Express DVDs
- Holds pickup on the 2nd Floor
- Reduced number of public computers on 2nd Floor
- Printing and copying available on 2nd Floor
- Seating is reduced
- Parking, washroom and elevator access available
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.
All HPL Branches are closed on Friday May 30 for Staff Development. Bookmobile is off the road and Extended Access is not available. HPL's online card registration, catalogue and eResources are not available until 5pm due to scheduled maintenance. All branches reopen Saturday May 31.
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.
Until Saturday May 31, the Ancaster Branch is temporarily relocated to the Ancaster Rotary Centre, 385 Jerseyville Road West, Ancaster. The Wilson Street branch is closed for a roof and HVAC replacement and is expected to reopen on Monday June 2 at 9:30am.
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.
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.
Earthquakes

Repairing St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church spire, 1944

February 25, 1910
10:45 p.m.
February 7, 1938
12:23 a.m.
October 19, 1939
7:00 a.m.
March 8, 1943
11:26 p.m.; epicentre near Ottawa
September 5, 1944
12:40 a.m.; Richter 5.9; epicentre in Cornwall
1963
Richter 3
1965
Richter 6
December 3, 1979
Richter less than 2; epicentre in Burlington
January 21, 1980
1:30 a.m.; Richter 2; epicentre in East Hamilton
July 27, 1980
2:52 p.m.; Richter 5.1; epicentre in North Kentucky
October 4, 1983
Richter 3.5; epicentre in Burlington
October 7, 1983
6:20 a.m.; Richter 5.2; epicentre in New York State
January 31, 1986
11:46 a.m.; Richter 5.7; 20 seconds; epicenter near south shore Lake Erie
July 10, 1987
7:48 p.m.; Richter 5; epicentre in Lawrenceville, Illinois
July 23, 1987
5:30 a.m.; Richter 3.5; epicentre under Lake Ontario
November 25, 1988
6:48 p.m.; Richter 6.4; 30 seconds; epicentre in Eastern Quebec
August 5, 1989
5:08 p.m.; Richter 3.3; epicentre near west end Lake Ontario
Sept. 25, 1998
3:52 p.m.; Richter 5.4; 30 seconds; epicentre near the Ohio/Pennsylvania border, south of Lake Erie
Jan. 25, 2001
10:00 p.m.; Richter 4.4; several seconds; epicentre in Ashtabula, Ohio
Quake triggered by wastewater pumping
Jan. 20, 2008
6:56 a.m.; Richter 2; epicentre 5 km south-east of downtown core
These figures are extracted from the newspaper articles found in:
CF - Hamilton - Earthquakes and from references in the Where-to-Look. For further information, check these sources.
Note: Richter scale established in 1935