April 28: National Day of Mourning

Monday, April 28 is the National Day of Mourning to remember and honour those who have died, been injured or suffered illness in the workplace. All HPL Branches will observe a minute of silence at 11am to honour their memories.

All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Friday, April 25, 2025 - 9:00am
Westdale Branch: Polling Station

Monday, April 28 is Election Day in Canada. Westdale Branch is open 9:30am-9:30pm as a polling station. Please bring one piece of ID to vote. Please note there will be a minute of silence at 11am in honour of the National Day of Mourning.

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Published:
Friday, April 25, 2025 - 9:00am
City of Hamilton IT Maintenance

Due to City IT maintenance, HPL's catalogue and digital resources will not be available on Sunday, April 27 between midnight and 1am. We apologize for the inconvenience.

All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Friday, April 25, 2025 - 9:00am
Extended Access at Freelton Branch Unavailable

Extended Access at Freelton Branch is not working. We aim to fix it quickly. Apologies for the inconvenience.

Published:
Thursday, April 24, 2025 - 12:00pm
Ancaster Branch - Temporary Closure, May 5-31

From Monday, May 5 to Saturday, May 31, the Ancaster Branch will be temporarily closed due to a roof and HVAC replacement. During this time, service hours will be available at the Ancaster Rotary Centre, 385 Jerseyville Road West, Ancaster. The last day to pick up your Holds is Thursday, May 1st. Thank you for your understanding.

www.hpl.ca/ancaster

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Published:
Wednesday, April 16, 2025 - 11:00am
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.

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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 25. 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

Historical Hamilton

In 2001, the name Hamilton became applied, politically and in terms of municipal administration, to a wide variety of communities, which have grown and developed at the west end of Lake Ontario. One of the oldest and most distinctive regions in eastern Canada, the city of Hamilton’s history has been defined by its geographic footprint and its key location as a transportation hub. The earliest settlements and commercial centres after the arrival of the Loyalists were located to take advantage of the transportation routes and one of the area’s key geographic formations, the Niagara Escarpment. The communities of Ancaster and Dundas grew rapidly because of the many mills built where they were located near major streams flowing over the escarpment and because they were on important transportation routes established in the beginning years of Upper Canada’s history. The community of Stoney Creek, and Saltfleet Township, also benefited for similar reasons by its location near the Red Hill Creek and the Lake Ontario shoreline. Stoney Creek would gain great local and national fame because of the battle during the War of 1812 which marked the end of the deepest penetration of invading American forces into Upper Canadian territory.

Hamilton itself was well behind other settlements in the region in terms of development until the opening of the canal through the sandstrip which separates Lake Ontario from Hamilton harbour. With the canal, completed in the early 1830’s, Hamilton became a lake port and the transhipment of goods necessitated the building of wharves, warehouses and other dock facilities in the area which came to be known as Port Hamilton. Following the completion of the Great Western Railway, Hamilton became a dominant population and commercial centre at the Head of the Lake.

Rural communities within the Townships of East Beverly Townships developed throughout the 19th century becoming important economic drivers for the local economy in terms of agriculture. By the twentieth century, the Head of the Lake became a mix of a large industrial based urban centre surrounded by Wentworth County containing a richly productive agricultural region, and a variety of distinctive small towns and villages which helped give the community its character and identity. In the early 1970’s, the creation of the Regional Municipality of Hamilton-Wentworth pulled all of the communities at the Head of the Lake together in terms of political and municipal administration of some aspects of their interdependency. While the amalgamation completed that process in 2001, the result has been that the name Hamilton is applied to all the former areas of Wentworth County. But as a prime example of a community of communities, the names and identities of all the historic communities within the new city are both retained and celebrated.

Content provided by Hamilton historian Brian Henley