Central Library Notice
On April 13, 2021 HPL was notified that a person working at Central Library tested positive for COVID-19. They were last on site on April 8.
The person was wearing appropriate personal protective equipment and maintained physical distancing. Central has been cleaned thoroughly multiple times since April 8.
Please contact Public Health or your healthcare professional if you experience symptoms. We wish them a quick and full recovery. Please continue to monitor yourself for symptoms and stay home when sick.
HPL will issue updates as directed by Hamilton Public Health.
HPL Catalogue New Look
A new look is coming to HPL's catalogue on Tuesday April 20. Explore and enjoy larger book cover images, simpler tools, easier navigation and other design improvements.
The "Where-to-Look" Index

The Where-to-Look is a major reference tool in Local History & Archives, and has been part of the Hamilton Public Library since the 1930s. This is a unique catalogue of subject index cards telling members 'where to look' to find the information they are interested in researching. Library staff have indexed books, periodicals, newspapers, archives and many other sources since the original Where-to-Look was started. The information within is updated regularly, and currently contains more than 250,000 references to information concerning people, events, buildings, companies, churches, etc., all relating to Hamilton and the surrounding area.
Born from practicality and necessity, Local History & Archives' "Where-to-Look" is an indispensable fixture of the department, connecting staff and members to what they need to find within Local History & Archives' collections. Visit Local History & Archives today, and staff will happily show you how to use it in your own research.