Kenilworth Branch Elevator Out of Order

The elevator at Kenilworth Branch is not working. We're working to get it fixed quickly.

Published:
Monday, June 15, 2026 - 4:00pm
Red Hill Branch Accessible Washroom Out of Order

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

Published:
Monday, June 15, 2026 - 3:30pm
Phishing Scheme

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.

Published:
Wednesday, June 10, 2026 - 5:00am
Bookmobile Service Modification

Due to Driver availability, Bookmobile has the following schedule modifications for the month of June. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Bookmobile Service June Modifications 

Friday, June 19:                  

  • Six Nations- Cancelled

  • Maplewood- Cancelled

Wednesday, June 24:              

  • Swansea Cancelled

  • Helen Detwiler Cancelled

  • Warplane Museum Cancelled

Saturday, June 27:                

  • Stoney Creek Arena Cancelled

  • Riverdale Cancelled

  • Discovery Centre --> 3-4pm

Tuesday, June 30:              

  • Greencedar Cancelled

  • Mountview Cancelled

Published:
Friday, May 22, 2026 - 12:00pm

Black Mount Collection

Ontario Furniture Company Fire, April 13, 1948
Ontario Furniture Company Fire, 1948-04-13

This is the most used collection in Local History & Archives, as it is indexed in the department's "Where-To-Look." The images are arranged alphabetically by location (Ancaster, Barton, Hamilton, etc.) and then alphabetically by subject heading (Banks, Grocery Stores, Portraits, Schools, Streets, etc). Within each subject heading, they are arranged alphabetically by name, and then within each named unit, chronologically by date.

It is only the broad subject heading or name heading that is indexed in the "Where-To-Look." Other information, such as the names of stores on a King Street photograph, is not indexed.

Some of the photographs were copied by the HPL photographer. In cases where a negative exists, the negative number will be written on the back of the mount on the security label.

The entire Black Mount collections consists of roughly 20,000 images, ranging in date from the 1850's to the present.