All Branches Closed for Good Friday

All branches closed on Friday, April 18, 2025 for Good Friday. This includes branches with Extended Access.

All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Friday, April 11, 2025 - 10:15am
All Branches Closed for Easter Sunday

All branches closed on Sunday, April 20, 2025 for Easter Sunday. This includes branches with Extended Access.

All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Friday, April 11, 2025 - 10:15am
All Branches Closed for Easter Monday

All branches closed on Monday, April 21, 2025 for Easter Monday. This includes branches with Extended Access.

All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Friday, April 11, 2025 - 10:15am
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
Barton Branch - Roof Repair

Due to the ongoing roof repair project, noise and parking disruptions will continue until April 19. Thank you for your patience.

Published:
Tuesday, April 8, 2025 - 3:30pm
Sherwood Branch - Basement Renovation

The first phase of renovations will begin at the Sherwood Branch from April 10 to May 2. During this time, noise disruptions may occur throughout the branch due to a basement renovation. Parking, access to the building, and collections will not be affected. Thank you for your patience. www.hpl.ca/sherwood

Published:
Monday, April 7, 2025 - 8:30am
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

Newspapers

Weather sign on Spectator office
Weather sign on Spectator office

Hamilton Newspapers

Newspapers published in Hamilton, both current titles and those no longer published, are available on microfilm in the Local History & Archives Department. They include:

Hamilton Spectator, 1846 to present
Hamilton Times, 1859 to 1920
Hamilton Herald, 1889 to 1936
Hamilton News, 1947 to 1956

Hamilton Spectator Historical by ProQuest

Discover 175+ years of Hamilton news with your HPL card.

Spectator Image

ProQuest’s Hamilton Spectator Historical features scanned copies of Hamilton Spectator archives dating back to 1840.

See our Hamilton Spectator Historical collection on ProQuest  
Get help with Hamilton Spectator Historical

Community Newspapers

Local community newspapers, both current titles and those no longer published, are also available. They include:

Ancaster News
Dundas Star
Dundas Star News
East Hamilton Journal
Flamborough News
Flamborough Review
Glanbrook Advocate
Hamilton Journal
Hamilton Mountain News
Stoney Creek News
Waterdown Review
West Hamilton Journal

No appointment is necessary to view these newspapers. Staff are always available to help you with your search. Materials found on the microfilm readers can be saved to a USB drive. Printing is also available, for a fee.

 

Birth, Death, and Marriage Announcements 

Births, deaths, and marriages published in the Hamilton Spectator and some earlier newspapers have been transcribed, they include:

Gordon Allison Collection
Deaths, marriages and births published in the Hamilton Spectator from 1846 to 1899
Dundas Warder & County of Halton General Advertiser, 1847 to 1857
Early Marriage Notices East Flamborough Township, 1806 to 1859
Flamborough Marriage Records, 1794 to 1829
Flamborough Marriage Records, 1830 to 1834
Gore Gazette, March 2, 1827 to June 8, 1829
Hamilton Evening Times, February 7, 1859 to December 30, 1869
Hamilton Express & Free Press, 1836
Hamilton Express & Political & Commercial Journal, 1839
Hamilton Journal & Gore District Mercantile & Agricultural Intelligencer, 1839
Journal & Express, 1841 to 1853
Newspapers of the Western Gore, 1831 to 1859

To support your research, please refer to the Newspapers, Periodicals, and Serials Research Guide