Ancaster Branch Accessible Washroom Out of Order

The accessible washroom at Ancaster Branch is not working. We aim to get it fixed quickly.

Published:
Friday, January 23, 2026 - 9:00am
Bookmobile Stops Cancelled

The Winona (11am-12pm) and Queen Victoira (3-4pm) Bookmobile stop on January 23 is cancelled. Apologies for this inconvenience.

Published:
Friday, January 23, 2026 - 8:30am
Cold Weather Alert for the City of Hamilton

Cold Weather Alert for the City of Hamilton January 22, 2026.

The temperature is expected to plummet below minus 15 Celsius. For warm place hours visit hpl.ca/hours

For a list of shelters and health information visit www.hamilton.ca/cold

Published:
Thursday, January 22, 2026 - 5:00pm
Locke Branch - Filming Nearby

Filming will take place at 86 Homewood Avenue from January 28-30, 7 am-11 pm. Production vehicles and equipment will be located on the north side of Stanley Avenue between Locke Street South and Kent Street. This will impact the availability of side-street parking. Thank you for your patience.

Published:
Thursday, January 22, 2026 - 3:00pm
Central Library - Sunday Hours Paused

Effective Sunday, February 1, Sunday service hours at Central Library will be paused. 

Sunday Hours will continue at Dundas, Red Hill, Terryberry, Turner Park, Valley Park and Waterdown Branches from 1-5pm.

www.hpl.ca/hours 

Published:
Wednesday, January 21, 2026 - 11:00am
Central Library - Daily Hours Update

Starting Monday, February 2, Central Library's daily hours will move back to a 9 am opening instead of 8 am, Monday through Saturday. Please make note of this new service change for your next visit. www.hpl.ca/hours 

Published:
Wednesday, January 21, 2026 - 11:00am
Central Library – Digital Microfilm Machines

The digital microfilm machines at Central Library are not working. A single analog machine is available in the Local History and Archives Reading Room. This reader does not support printing. We apologize for the inconvenience and aim to have the digital devices repaired as soon as possible.

Published:
Monday, January 19, 2026 - 1:45pm
Online Resources - Update

The following eResources have been recently discontinued in our HPL collections: Novelist, Summa, Summa Kids, and Northstar Digital Literacy. Please visit www.hpl.ca/articles/read-watch-listen for our full listing of online resources for your next read, watch, listen and/or learn.

Published:
Wednesday, January 7, 2026 - 11:00am
Printing Updates

Daily print balances for black and white and colour printing change January 2, 2026. The new daily print balance is 40 cents. Members receive four free black and white copies or two free colour copies. 

Large format and vinyl printing pricing also change on January 2. Visit https://www.hpl.ca/makerspaces for updates.

Published:
Monday, December 22, 2025 - 2:00pm
Replacement and Damage Fees

Bring back your borrowed library items within 28 days to avoid a replacement or lost fee. We'll remove the fee when you bring back your overdue items. 

Published:
Thursday, September 11, 2025 - 3:00pm

Digital Reproduction Requests

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. 

Type

Cost

Non Commercial Use
- Use applies to images intended for artistic, educational, and/or personal projects that will not be marketed, promoted, or sold for monetary compensation.
- Examples include personal research, websites (personal, civic and/or non-profit), home decor, gift.

$25 per item

Commercial Use
- Applies to images that are intended for resale or reproduction in advertising, items for resale or other revenue generating enterprises.
- Examples include books for sale (including textbooks and academic publications), journals with paid subscriptions, commercial websites.

$45 per item

 

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.