The accessibility door at Terryberry Branch is not working. We aim to fix it quickly.
Filming will take place near the Locke Branch from August 4 to 8, which will impact traffic flow and parking. We apologize for the inconvenience.
- East and West Side of Locke Street South
- North and South Side of Herkimer Street
- North and South Side of Stanley Avenue
On Monday, August 4, Civic Holiday, due to IT network maintenance, HPL's catalogue will be searchable, but Holds and Library accounts, as well as online resources, will not be available. However, WiFi will remain accessible. We apologize for the inconvenience.
The internet at Lynden Branch is not working. We aim to have it fixed quickly.
All branches close on Sunday, August 3, 2025 and August 4, 2025 for the Civic Holiday. This includes branches with Extended Access.
The following Bookmobile visits are modified on:
Thursday, July 31
- Bennetto and Kinsmen - Cancelled
Friday, August 1
- Winona Park - Cancelled
Monday, August 4 - All Bookmobile visits cancelled
Thursday, August 7
- Rockton 10:30-11:30 am - Moved to Rockton Elementary School 670 Hwy 8 (this date only)
The parking lot elevator at Terryberry Branch is not working. Members will need to use the accessible ramp at the Mohawk entrance and the inner elevator. We're working to get it fixed quickly.
Please note that the audio volume levels on our public computers are having issues. The estimated time of disruption is unknown at this time. Thank you for your patience.
The accessibility ramp at Mount Hope Branch is damaged. The handrail is not available. The ramp will not be available while being repaired. We aim to fix it quickly.
Maps

Fire Insurance Maps
These plans are valuable maps for building research. They are large scale maps that show shape, size and exact location of individual buildings. They provide detail about the construction materials, outbuildings and neighbourhoods.
1898: Local History & Archives (microfiche only) and the Lloyd Reeds Map Collection, McMaster University.
Revised to 1911 – Vol. 1, 2, 3: Local History & Archives (microfiche only) and Lloyd Reeds Map Collection, McMaster University.
1927 revised to 1947: Local History & Archives (incomplete)
1927 revised to 1933: Local History & Archives (complete)
Mid-1960’s – Vol. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5: Local History & Archives, Lloyd Reeds Map Collection, McMaster University.
Bird’s-eye View, Pictorial and Surveyor’s Maps
These types of map can show a building’s location within its neighbourhood and the city of Hamilton. These maps can also provide information about the layout of the city or town and changes in street names over the course of time.
1842 – surveyor’s map showing buildings
1854 – from the escarpment looking north
1859 – from the escarpment looking north
1876 – from the Bay looking south
1883 – from the escarpment looking north
1893 – from the Bay looking south
1909 – from the Bay looking south
1921 – surveyor’s maps showing buildings. Large versions are hanging in Local History & Archives. Smaller versions are available in the map collection.
Map inventories are available by date or by location.
Wentworth County Atlas
There were a series of detailed atlases created to document counties across Ontario. They can show locations of structures and other detail. Some buildings are also illustrated in the body of the atlas.
1875 – atlas stand
1903 – R912.7135 T985 CESH folio [note: fragile]
You can also search Historical Atlases on-line, a project hosted by McGill's Rare Books and Special Collections Division with indexed county atlas information.