Local History and Archives has a unique collection of over three million images chronicling the history of Hamilton and surrounding areas dating from the mid-1800s. High-resolution copies are available for purchase for personal and commercial use.  

To order reproductions, please download and complete a Digital Request form. Save and attach the completed form and submit it via email to askus@hpl.ca. You can also print this document and submit it in person at the Local History and Archives Information desk. 

For assistance in selecting images or completing the form, contact staff at askus@hpl.ca. 

Below is an overview of the process.

Requesting Digital Reproductions at Local History and Archives

All prices are subject to applicable taxes. 

Details: 

• For image reproduction requests, up to 600 dpi JPEG files are normally provided. Up to 1200 dpi TIFF is available upon request.
• Images can be delivered by email or on USB, to be picked up in person at Central Library. 
• Print reproductions are not available. You can print large format images at our Makerspaces. 
• Orders typically take 7-14 days to complete. Large orders, or images that are not already digitized may take longer, subject to Staff capacity. 

Copyright: 

It is the recipient’s obligation to determine and satisfy copyright or other use restrictions (such as donor restrictions, privacy rights, publicity rights, licensing and trademarks) when using, publishing or otherwise distributing materials received from Hamilton Public Library. Additional fees, set by the copyright or intellectual property owner, may apply and would be negotiated directly with them.

Payment: 

All image orders must be paid in full before digital image files are released. 

Payments can be made by Visa / Mastercard / debit card at Central Library or over the phone after an invoice is issued. 

Signed order forms can be submitted by email to askus@hpl.ca (preferred) or in person at Local History and Archives, at Central Library.