Sherwood Branch - Public Computers

The computer lab on the 1st floor is currently out of order. There are limited public computers available on the 2nd floor. Printing and photocopying are still available. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Published:
Wednesday, June 11, 2025 - 11:00am
Carlisle Branch Accessibile Washroom Out of Order

The accessible washroom at Carlisle Branch is not working. We aim to get it fixed quickly.

1
Affected Branch: Carlisle Branch
Published:
Tuesday, June 10, 2025 - 12:00pm
Sunday Hours - Modified Service, June 22

Due to day-long IT maintenance (7am-5pm), the following branches are closed on Sunday, June 22: Central Library, Dundas, Red Hill, Terryberry, Turner Park, Valley Park and Waterdown. Sunday service hours resume on Sunday, June 29. 

Please note that the HPL catalogue, Library accounts, and online resources will not be available during this time frame. We apologize for the inconvenience.

1
Published:
Wednesday, June 4, 2025 - 3:00pm
Westdale Branch - Delayed Opening

Due to Staff training, the Westdale Branch will open at 10am on Monday, June 16. You may visit Central Library and the Dundas Branch as your next nearest locations for your library needs. Thank you for your patience.

1
Published:
Tuesday, June 3, 2025 - 2:15pm
Terryberry Branch Elevator Out of Order

The parking lot elevator at Terryberry Branch is not working. Members will need to use the accessible ramp at the Mohawk entrance and the inner elevator. We're working to get it fixed quickly.

1
Published:
Saturday, May 31, 2025 - 1:00pm
Public Computers - Audio Volume

Please note that the audio volume levels on our public computers are having issues. The estimated time of disruption is unknown at this time. Thank you for your patience.

 

All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Thursday, May 29, 2025 - 4:00pm
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
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
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

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