Monday, April 28 is the National Day of Mourning to remember and honour those who have died, been injured or suffered illness in the workplace. All HPL Branches will observe a minute of silence at 11am to honour their memories.
Monday, April 28 is Election Day in Canada. Westdale Branch is open 9:30am-9:30pm as a polling station. Please bring one piece of ID to vote. Please note there will be a minute of silence at 11am in honour of the National Day of Mourning.
Due to City IT maintenance, HPL's catalogue and digital resources will not be available on Sunday, April 27 between midnight and 1am. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Extended Access at Freelton Branch is not working. We aim to fix it quickly. Apologies for the inconvenience.
From Monday, May 5 to Saturday, May 31, the Ancaster Branch will be temporarily closed due to a roof and HVAC replacement. During this time, service hours will be available at the Ancaster Rotary Centre, 385 Jerseyville Road West, Ancaster. The last day to pick up your Holds is Thursday, May 1st. Thank you for your understanding.
The digital microfilm machines at Central Library are not working. A single analog machine is available, but it doesn't print. We aim to have the digital devices repaired as soon as possible. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Due to the ongoing roof repair project, noise and parking disruptions will continue until April 25. Thank you for your patience.
The first phase of renovations will begin at the Sherwood Branch from April 10 to May 2. During this time, noise disruptions may occur throughout the branch due to a basement renovation. Parking, access to the building, and collections will not be affected. Thank you for your patience. www.hpl.ca/sherwood
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.
Census

Please note: Historical information and facts presented here are undergoing verification and will be reviewed and revised, as needed. - Posted June 2024
Census records are valuable to historical research.
Census records from 1825 to 1931 are available online through Library and Archives Canada.
Ontario Census records (to 1901) are available on microfilm in Local History and Archives by request. Births which occur during a census year are noted in the record.
Census records are also available via the links listed below.
Online indexes and information:
Ancestry Library Edition
Census information for Canada is availble on Ancestry Library Edition, which is available through Hamilton Public Library's public computer workstations at every branch. Ancestry Library Edition is also available on your personal computer or device when using HPL's wireless internet at any branch.
Genealogy and Family History at Library and Archives Canada
Information about using Library and Archives Canada for genealogical research.
A searchable collection of global census results spanning several centuries. Canadian records from 1825 (Lower Canada) to 1931 are available. Registration (free) is required.
An indexed database of the 1901 Canadian census.