Express Items via OverDrive - Partner Libraries Update

As of July 1st, partner library Members can no longer borrow HPL Express items via Overdrive. More to Borrow partner libraries will be offering Lucky Express (Skip the line) titles to their cardholders only. This will help manage wait times for popular titles. Lucky Express is a collection of in demand titles with a seven-day loan period, available with no wait. 

Our partners will still be able to borrow titles from the rest of our collection. 
www.hpl.ca/more-to-borrow

Published:
Monday, July 6, 2026 - 10:00am
What's Happening Guide Changes

The What's Happening Guide has been retired and replaced with different communications channels and tactics. You can find the new Summer Reading Flyer here. Watch for future communications updates.

Published:
Monday, June 29, 2026 - 3:00pm
Sunday Hours Return to Central Library

Sunday hours return to Central Library. Beginning July 5, Central is open Noon to 5pm. Dundas, Red Hill, Terryberry, Turner Park, Valley Park and Waterdown branches are also open Sundays, 1 to 5pm. hpl.ca/hours

Published:
Monday, June 29, 2026 - 1:00pm
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

Fenian Invasion

Newspapers

“Another Fenian Burglar: the Hamilton Police Fall Upon a Mare’s Nest” Times, February 5, 1866

“A Song for the Times” Times, February 7, 1866

“The Threatened Fenian Invasion: Energetic Preparations to Haul Back the Foe” Times, March 8, 1866 pg. 3

“The Military Situation: the Volunteers of Hamilton Prepare for the Field” Times, March 10, 1866 pg. 3

“Forward, the Gallant Thirteenth” Times, March 12, 1866 pg. 3

“The Fenian Movement in Ireland” Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper, April 7, 1866 pg. 41, 43

“Reception of the Great Irish Organizer, Jas. Stephens” Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper, June 2, 1866 pg. 167-8

“The Fenians” Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper, June 23, 1866 pg. 209, 213, 216, 217

“The Fenian Lesson” Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper, June 30, 1866 p. 225 

"Col. Booker and the Thirteenth” Times, July 28, 1866

“The Booker Inquiry” Times, August 2, 1866

"A Review of the Proceedings of the Court of Enquiry on Lieut.-Col. Booker” Times, August 4, 1866

The Anniversary of Ridgeway: A Sketch of the Fray: What the Hamilton Boys Did” Spectator, June 3, 1876

“Battle of Ridgeway: A Graphic Description of the Engagement” Spectator, March 8, 1890

“The Ridgeway Anniversary: the Local Soldiers and Veterans Attend Church” Spectator, June 1, 1891

“Ridgeway Recollections: First Annual Dinner of the Veteran’s Association” Spectator, June 3, 1891

“Thirty Years Ago Today: the Anniversary of the Fight at Ridgeway” Spectator, June 2, 1896

“Just Thirty Years Ago: Canadian Volunteers Met the Fenians at Ridgeway” Times, June 2, 1896

“The Veterans of Ridgeway: Annual Reunion of the ’66 Heroes Last Evening” Times, June 3, 1898

“Ridgeway Recalled: the Battle of Many Years Ago and What Caused It” Spectator, June 2, 1906

“Ridgeway Recalled By An Old Timer” Spectator, June 3, 1911

“To the Editor: Fenian Raids” Spectator, April 16, 1912

“When Veterans Went to Ridgeway: Hon. Samuel Barker, M.P., Gives Commons Graphic Description of How Fenians Were Repelled” Spectator, April 2, 1913

“The Hamilton veterans of 1866 – the Fenian Raid” Spectator, May 27, 1916

“When Hamilton Fought Fenian Raider in 1866” Times, June 3, 1916

“Patriotic Canadians in Chicago” Herald, September 22, 1923

“Young Adventurers in ’66 tell story of raid” Herald, June 29, 1927, section 3 pg. 5

“With the Colors at the Front: The Affair at Ridgeway” Spectator, February 21, 1931 pg. 11

“With the Colors at the Front (Part 2)” Spectator, February 28, 1931 pg. 26

“House with a History Damaged by Fire. Believed meeting place of local Fenians” Hamilton Spectator, February 6, 1961

“Wreckers Demolish Home Used by Fenian Plotters” Hamilton Spectator, September 4, 1962

“Answering the Call” Spectator, November 7, 1986 pg. BB5