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.
HPL's catalogue is not available from 5-10am on Sunday May 25 due to system maintenance. Thank you for your patience.
The Stoney Creek Arena and Millgrove Bookmobile visits on Saturday May 24 are cancelled. Apologies for the inconvenience.
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.
Local History and Archives Rules of Use

The following is an outline of the member's responsibilities in partnering with staff to preserve the Local History and Archives (LHA) collection.
The LHA Reading Room is designated as a quiet study area. Seating priority will be given to individuals using material from the collections of LHA. We ask that you please conduct phone or group conversations outside of the room. Staff will be happy to direct you to an appropriate area.
Researchers are reminded that they are working with historical records, which are unique and often fragile. Please adhere to the following requirements while handling this material:
-
A maximum of six containers or volumes will be supplied at one time
-
Please do not remove any materials from the Reading Room
-
Please consult with a staff member prior to photocopying documents
-
Disable flash functionality on your digital camera prior to taking photographs
-
For preservation reasons, the use of digital scanners is prohibited
-
With the exception of bottled water in a covered container, eating and drinking are not permitted in the Reading Room; this includes chewing gum and candy.
-
No marks of any kind are to be made on any of the material. Please use pencils to take notes.
-
Please avoid placing notepads on top of materials or leaning directly on archival records. Tracing maps or other records, or the use of “post-it” or other self-sticking notes, staples or paper clips on archival records is not permitted.
-
Please leave archival records flat on the table surface as much as possible. Avoid letting records overhang past the table's edge.
-
Please handle records carefully and deliberately with both hands to ensure the safety of the record. We advise moving the records by sliding them from one pile to another.
-
Please use the white cotton gloves provided when handling non-textual materials.
-
It is imperative that the order of the archival records you are using remains intact. Please do not change the order of the files within a container, or items within a file.
Please consult with LHA staff if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you for using the Hamilton Public Library.