Preview the New HPL.ca

We're excited to share a preview of the new HPL.ca before its official launch on September 15.

Explore the new site, discover updated navigation and get familiar with the improved online experience designed to make it easier to find Library services, programs, collections and information.

If you encounter an issue or have feedback, please let us know through our Contact Us page.

Published:
Tuesday, September 1, 2026 - 3:00pm
Heat Warning Notification for the City of Hamilton

Heat Warning for the City of Hamilton.

Significant heat and humidity will arrive on Tuesday, September 1.

For information about heat-related illnesses, cool place locations and reducing your risk, visit hamilton.ca/heat.

Published:
Tuesday, September 1, 2026 - 2:45pm
Ancaster Branch Elevator Out of Order

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

Published:
Tuesday, September 1, 2026 - 12:00pm
Concession Branch - Construction Updates

Due to a glass door installation for the new Makerspace area, Concession Branch will close at 1 pm on Thursday, September 3. It is expected to reopen to its regular hours with limited services on Friday, September 4. Stay tuned for continual updates.

www.hpl.ca/concession

Published:
Tuesday, September 1, 2026 - 8:00am
Labour Day - All HPL Branches Closed

All HPL Branches are closed on Sunday, September 6 and Labour Day, Monday, September 7. Bookmobile is off the road. Extended Access is not available. Regular service hours resume on Tuesday, September 8. 

Published:
Monday, August 31, 2026 - 2:45pm
Barton Branch - Construction in Area

Please note that Milton Avenue at Barton Street is under construction. Access to the parking lot is limited. Nearby street parking is available and an HSR route out front. Thank you for your patience.

Published:
Monday, August 31, 2026 - 2:30pm
Print on the Go Currently Unavailable

The Print on the Go service is not working at all Branches. We aim to fix it as soon as possible.

Published:
Thursday, August 27, 2026 - 12:30pm
Delayed Openings and Closures

Due to Staff training, the following service modifications are planned.

  • Turner Park: Wednesday, September 2, Noon-1 pm Closure
  • Red Hill: Friday, September 18, Delayed Opening of 10 am
  • Central Library: Tuesday, September 29, Delayed Opening of 10 am

Visit www.hpl.ca/hours for open alternate locations.

Published:
Tuesday, August 25, 2026 - 2:00pm
Bookmobile Schedule Modifications for September

Bookmobile has the following schedule modifications for September: 

Please visit www.hpl.ca/bookmobile for updates on service modifications.

Tuesday, September 8                  

  • Strathcona - Cancelled 
  • McMaster - Cancelled 

Thursday, September 10              

  • Rockton and Millgrove visits moved to Saturdays (Starting September 12) 

Saturday, September 12               

  • Stoney Creek - Cancelled 
  • Riverdale - Cancelled 

Thursday, September 17       

  • Mohawk Gardens - Cancelled 
  • Meadowlands - Cancelled 

Friday, September 18             

  • Winona - Cancelled 
  • Queen Victoria - Cancelled
Published:
Monday, August 24, 2026 - 9:30am
Study Halls Pause for Summer Break

After Hours Study Hall is not available in July and August. Hours will resume Tuesday, September 8. www.hpl.ca/study-halls

Published:
Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 3:00pm

Brown / Hendrie Album

The Holmstead Parlour 191-?
The Holmstead Parlour 191-?

After the death of Mrs. William Hendrie in 1975, her heirs sold the family home Gateside, on Aberdeen Avenue, and offered to Local History & Archives many papers, journals, scrapbooks, etc. which had been stored in the attics.

The Hendries were prominent in Hamilton from the 1850s and Mrs. Hendrie's father, Adam Brown (1826-1926) had been a Member of Parliament, Hamilton's Postmaster, a businessman, churchman, active in many charitable organizations and a promoter of all things Canadian. The correspondence covers the years from the late 1850's to 1924. The earlier letters are mostly between members of the Brown and Kough families, but with Lily Brown's marriage to William Hendrie in 1901, the Hendrie family came to play a larger part.

In terms of photographs, this collection contains a series of exterior and interior shots of the home allowing us a personal glimpse into the lifestyle of one of Hamilton’s more prominent families. The correspondence and journal give a remarkable picture of life in Hamilton over a span of nearly 75 years, and an equally remarkable picture of a Victorian family as it evolved through the First World War and its aftermath.