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.
The accessibility door at Waterdown Branch is not working. We aim to fix it quickly.
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.
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.
The "Where-to-Look" Index

The Where-to-Look is a major reference tool in Local History and Archives, and has been part of the Hamilton Public Library since the 1930s. This is a unique catalogue of subject index cards telling members 'where to look' to find the information they are interested in researching. Library staff have indexed books, periodicals, newspapers, archives and many other sources since the original Where-to-Look was started. The information within is updated regularly, and currently contains more than 250,000 references to information concerning people, events, buildings, companies, churches, etc., all relating to Hamilton and the surrounding area.
Born from practicality and necessity, Local History and Archives' "Where-to-Look" is an indispensable fixture of the department, connecting staff and members to what they need to find within Local History and Archives' collections. Visit Local History and Archives today, and staff will happily show you how to use it in your own research.








