The accessible washroom in both the Waterdown library and the lobby of the Waterdown shared facility are out of order. We aim to get it fixed quickly.
In preparation for the 1st Floor renovations, the Sherwood Branch will be closed on Wednesday, May 14. It is expected to reopen on Thursday, May 15 with the completion of the basement renovation. Thank you for your understanding.
Due to City IT maintenance, there may be an intermittent network outage between 8-10 pm during Study Hall on Thursday, May 8. Computers, printers and WiFi may not be available at times. Thank you for your patience.
All HPL Branches are closed on Sunday, May 18, and Victoria Day, Monday, May 19. Bookmobile is off the road. Extended Access and Study Hall services are not available. Our Virtual Branch is open at hpl.ca.
On Tuesday, May 13, a fire drill will be held at 11 am at Central Library. You may visit the Barton or Locke Branches as alternate locations for your library needs. Thank you for your understanding.
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.
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.
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.
The first phase of renovations continues at the Sherwood Branch. 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
Digital Projects
For several years, Local History and Archives, created several digital sites highlighting aspects of Hamilton's history. These sites are available to access.
Love Your City Share Your Stories
From a rich and robust history, to a wonderfully diverse community, everyone has a story. This project features stories about Hamilton and Hamiltonians- both past and present.
Canadian Public Parks Movement: The Hamilton Experience
This site gives the history of 50 Hamilton’s parks.
Cultural Landmarks of Hamilton-Wentworth
This site gives the history of many landmarks in Hamilton.
The Heart of the City: A Virtual Tour of Downtown Hamilton
This site gives an overview of the buildings surrounding Gore Park in downtown Hamilton with photographs and historical information.
Industrial Hamilton: The Trail to the Future
This site gives an overview of Hamilton’s industrial history and includes histories of specific industries, past and present. It also includes histories of the railways and street railways in Hamilton.