The Large Format Printer is not working at Dundas Branch. We aim to fix it as soon as possible.
Large Format Printer Currently Unavailable
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Published:
Friday, November 14, 2025 - 4:30pm
Bookmobile Service Modification
Please note the Bookmobile will be attending the following community events.
Saturday, November 15:
- Hamilton Santa Claus Parade, 2-4pm
Saturdays, November 22 and 29:
- Hess Village Winter Market, 10:30am-4:30pm
- Regular Saturday Visits cancelled for both dates.
Saturday, December 6:
- Stoney Creek Santa Claus Parade 2-4pm
- Millgrove Visit is cancelled.
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Published:
Friday, November 14, 2025 - 1:00pm
Kenilworth Branch Reopening
Noise and limited parking continue at the Kenilworth Branch this week as renovations wrap up. Thank you for your understanding.
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Published:
Monday, October 27, 2025 - 3:00pm
Delayed Branch Openings
The following locations will open later than scheduled to allow for Staff training drills.
Monday, November 24
Mount Hope, 2pm
Thursday, November 27
Stoney Creek, 10am
Please visit nearby branches. www.hpl.ca/hours
All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Tuesday, October 7, 2025 - 2:00pm
Replacement and Damage Fees
Bring back your borrowed library items (due Oct 1 or later) within 28 days to avoid a replacement or lost fee. We'll remove the fee when you bring back your overdue items.
All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Thursday, September 11, 2025 - 3:00pm
War of 1812
Battlefield Monument
The largest single subject collection in the Local History & Archives Department is the section concerning the War of 1812.
Our collection chronicles the war that was fought from 1812 to 1815 between the United States and the British Empire, particularly Great Britain and her North American colonies of Upper Canada, Lower Canada, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Cape Breton Island and Bermuda.
The Library's collection includes well over 1000 items, including books, pamphlets, maps and line drawings, and also includes the announcement of the Declaration of War.
Selection of Books
- “The Pride of Britannia Humbled” by William Cobbett, published in 1815
- “A Complete List of the American Navy...for 1813”
- “The Adventures of Uncle Sam in Search After His Lost Honor”, by Frederick Augustus Fidfaddy, published in 1816 (this work marks the first time that the United States was symbolized as Uncle Sam in print)
- “The Pictorial Field Book of the War of 1812” by Benson Lossing, published in 1869
- “The History of the War” by John Russell Jr., published in 1815
- “History of the Late War between Great Britain and the United States of America” by David Thompson. This book was printed in Niagara, Upper Canada, in 1832, making it one of the earliest imprints from the province.
Pamphlets
There are also many pamphlets dealing with the causes and results of the war. Of particular interest to the Hamilton area, is a copy of James Fenimore Cooper's “Ned Myers; or, a Life Before the Mast”, which is the story of one of the sailors who survived the sinking of the Hamilton and the Scourge, during the storm on Lake Ontario, in 1813. These two vessels were rediscovered in 1975, and ownership deeded over to the City of Hamilton, which has plans to create a maritime museum.
Maps and Line Drawings
There are also maps of battles and line drawings in many of the books, outlining major campaigns and battle sites, including the Battle of Stoney Creek. This is one of the finest collections of its kind in Southern Ontario, and is a superb resource for the study of this fascinating war.
Collection Bibliography
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
