Mount Hope Branch Accessibile Ramp Not Available

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.

Published:
Friday, May 23, 2025 - 4:30pm
Catalogue Maintenance

HPL's catalogue is not available from 5-10am on Sunday May 25 due to system maintenance. Thank you for your patience.

All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Friday, May 23, 2025 - 4:15pm
Bookmobile Stops Cancelled

The Stoney Creek Arena and Millgrove Bookmobile visits on Saturday May 24 are cancelled. Apologies for the inconvenience.

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Affected Branch: Bookmobile
Nearest Branches: 
Published:
Friday, May 23, 2025 - 4:00pm
Extended Access at Freelton Branch Unavailable

Extended Access at the Freelton Branch is not working. Please visit during staffed hours. We aim to fix it quickly. Apologies for the inconvenience.

Published:
Thursday, May 22, 2025 - 2:45pm
Construction Work at Sherwood Branch

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. 

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 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. 

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

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.

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

Great Western Railway

Great Western Railway Locomotive #51 “Oberon”
Great Western Railway Locomotive #51 “Oberon”

The Great Western Railway Company of Canada Papers (1862-1879) were presented to the Hamilton Public Library by Mr. Frank Jones in September 1966, along with an interesting story about their being saved from destruction, as recounted below:

"In November 1963, a Canadian National Railway storehouse at the foot of Queen Street North in Hamilton was destroyed with all of its contents by order of the railway management. The storehouse contained all of the papers and records of the Great Western Railway Company of Canada from, probably, about 1854 until its absorption by the Grand Trunk Railway in 1882.

Employees of the Steel Company of Canada at their Ontario Works, which property adjoins the railway yard, picked up a few sheets which had blown onto the Steel Company property and brought them to Mr. Frank Jones of the Industrial Relations General Office. Realizing their value and historical importance, Mr. Jones at once made enquiries about the preservation of the rest of the records, but by that time it was too late.

Thus the early railroad paylists, casualty reports, time sheets, and in fact, most of the papers connected with the beginning of the railroad history in Hamilton were destroyed by persons in authority who lacked all sense of the value of early railroad documents.

The papers were presented to the Hamilton Public Library in September of 1966 by Mr. Frank Jones."

Mary Harrington Farmer

September 1966

 

1. Pay lists

Dec. 21, 1862 - Jan. 3, 1863 Windsor inside loco dept. - 1

Jan. 4 - 17, 1863 Mechanical dept. - 2

Jan. 4 - 17, 1863 Windsor inside loco dept. - 3

Jan. 18 - 31, 1863 Mechanical dept. - 4

Jan. 18 - 31, 1863 Windsor inside loco dept. - 5

Feb. 1 - 14, 1863 Mechanical dept. - 6

Feb. 1 - 14, 1863 Hamilton inside loco dept. - 7 to 12

Jan. 4 - 17, 1863 Hamilton inside loco dept. - 13 to 18

Jan. 18 - 31, 1863 Hamilton inside loco dept. - 19 to 24

Jan. 4 - 17, 1863 Niagara Toronto inside loco dept. - 25

Jan. 4 - 17, 1863 London inside loco dept. - 26

Jan. 18 - 31, 1863 Niagara toronto inside loco dept. - 27

Jan. 18 - 31, 1863 London inside loco dept. - 28

 

2. a. Time Sheets

Pages 29 to 75

August 1875

October 1875

December 1875

February 1876

April 1876

June 1876

August 1876

 

For:

E. Burk

W. Pouley

W. Steers

J. Lister

C. Farr

M. Mullin

A. Collins

 

 

2. b. Time Sheets

Pages 76 to 103

May 1878

July 1878

September 1878

November 1878

January 1879

March 1879

May 1879

 

For:

W. McLean

J. Sullavan

E. Richardson

H.F. Kivell

J. McGrory

E.L. Richardson

A. McDonald

J. Males

G. Bunn

J. Brierley

M. McCardall 

 

3. Engine drivers' returns

Aug. 6, 1881 Engine no. 116 - 104

Aug. 6, 1881 Engine no. 344 - 105

Aug. 7, 1881 Engine no. 344 - 106

Aug. 8, 1881 Engine no. 344 - 107

Aug. 8, 1881 Engine no. 116 - 108

 

4. Casualty reports

July 11, 1874 Hamilton station - 109 to 110

Feb. 25, 1876 St. Thomas station - 111 to 112

 

5. Telegraphic train order

Dec. 24, 18-- Order to train no. 12 at Galt - 113

-------- Printed instructions to train

operators, by C. Stiff,

superintendent - 114