Cold Alert - City of Hamilton
The Medical Officer of Health for the City of Hamilton is issuing a Cold Weather Alert effective overnight. A Cold Weather Alert is issued when current or anticipated weather conditions are at or below minus 15 degrees Celsius or minus 20 with wind chill. Stay warm and safe, Hamilton.
Lynden Accessible Washroom Out of Order
The accessible washroom at the Lynden branch is out of order. Apologies for the inconvenience.
Saltfleet Branch Printing Unavailable
Printing is currently not available at the Saltfleet Branch. We are working to fix the issue. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Locke Branch - Filming in the Area
From January 28 to February 7, filming will take place in the vicinity of the Melrose United Church on Homewood Avenue. This will impact side street parking when visiting our branch location. Thank you for your patience.
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.
Library Services Update
- JAWS (Job Access With Speech) computers are not available.
- Photocopying and scanning services are available at all branches. Print on the Go is currently not available.
Contact Library Staff at 289-779-7588, hpl.ca or askus@hpl.ca. Check hpl.ca/events for programs and hpl.ca/hours for open hours.
Central Library - 4th Floor Closure, January 31st
Due to a special event set-up, the 4th Floor is closed on Friday, January 31st all day. The Makerspace and Newcomer Learning Centre will remain open. Study and work spaces are available on Floors 1-3. Thank you for your understanding.
Total Solar Eclipse April 8
The Countdown is Totality On
The Solar Eclipse has come and gone!
If you would like to donate your ISO safety solar eclipse glasses, return them to any HPL Branch or Bookmobile visit. HPL and McMaster University have teamed up with the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada - Hamilton Centre to collect and redistribute. Thank you for returning your glasses.
Get Equipped for the Eclipse – Safety Glasses - Out of Stock!
You should never look at the sun without proper protection. During most of the total solar eclipse, you should only look directly at the Sun if you are using protective eyewear.
HPL no longer has solar glasses. More than 80,000 were distributed to the public. You may be able to pick up a pair at Haldimand Public Library branches, McMaster University, Six Nations Public Library.
Safe Solar Eclipse Viewing
A solar eclipse occurs when the moon partially or totally covers the Sun. It is fascinating, but it is important to guard against damage to your eyes. Follow these options for safe viewing.
Safety First
Use approved solar eclipse viewers that meet international standard ISO 12312-2. Glasses distributed by Hamilton Public Library are provided by McMaster University and meet these standards. Make sure the glasses are not damaged or scratched before use. Sunglasses, even those with a very dark tint, are NOT sufficient protection.
Watch Online
Watch an online livestream of the event from a verified source such as NASA Live. Alternatively, check out a recording of the eclipse after it has happened.
For more information visit 2023 Eclipse.
Frequently Asked Questions
The eclipse will begin in downtown Hamilton around 2:03 p.m., totality will be around 3:18 p.m. and will last 1 minute and 50 seconds, the eclipse will end around 4:31 p.m. For the exact time at your location visit 2024 Eclipse Simulator
No, Hamilton is on the edge of the totality path, so some areas will not be in totality. These areas will still experience an eclipse, but the sun will not be totally blocked out. To see if your location is in totality and for the exact time at your location visit 2024 Eclipse Simulator .
The path of totality is where observers will see the Moon completely cover the Sun.
In the path of totality, where the Moon completely covers the Sun, the sky will become dark, as if it were dawn or dusk. For those who only experience a partial solar eclipse, the sky will appear slightly darker than it was before the eclipse, depending on how much the Moon blocks the Sun in their location.
You can expect the temperature to drop about 5 degrees Celsius, depending on the humidity and cloud cover at your location.
Space Reads for Earthlings
Browse a celestial selection of books about solar eclipses, the stars and the universe.
Far Out Science and Space-Themed Programs
Become one with the night sky inside the McMaster portable planetarium, learn about Stars, Planets and More with the Hamilton Amateur Astronomers Club and take part in a Solar Eclipse themed STEAM Learning Lab. April 8 is also your headquarters for PA Day fun, with morning programming for kids of all ages.
Countdown Until Solar Eclipse:
