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.
April 28: National Day of Mourning
All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Friday, April 25, 2025 - 9:00am
Westdale Branch: Polling Station
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.
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Published:
Friday, April 25, 2025 - 9:00am
City of Hamilton IT Maintenance
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.
All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Friday, April 25, 2025 - 9:00am
Extended Access at Freelton Branch Unavailable
Extended Access at Freelton Branch is not working. We aim to fix it quickly. Apologies for the inconvenience.
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Published:
Thursday, April 24, 2025 - 12:00pm
Ancaster Branch - Temporary Closure, May 5-31
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.
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Published:
Wednesday, April 16, 2025 - 11:00am
Central Library - Microfilm Machine
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.
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Published:
Thursday, April 10, 2025 - 3:30pm
Barton Branch - Roof Repair
Due to the ongoing roof repair project, noise and parking disruptions will continue until April 25. Thank you for your patience.
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Published:
Tuesday, April 8, 2025 - 3:30pm
Sherwood Branch - Basement Renovation
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
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Published:
Monday, April 7, 2025 - 8:30am
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.
All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Thursday, April 3, 2025 - 10:30am
Tax Assessment Records
Housing in Downtown Hamilton
Tax assessment records help accurately date a building's construction and disclose its original owner and list of occupants.
Land assessment and tax assessment records combined allow you to determine the original owner and occupant of the property, as well as the date on which the structure was built. Please note not all buildings are tax-assessed. Public and institutional buildings, such as churches and schools, may not be found on tax assessment records. If they are used for a purpose other than their original use, such as a school that has been converted into a house, it will be assessed only from when it was converted. Before the construction of a building, the vacant lot is listed by lot number.
The following is a list of former municipalities in Hamilton and the Note: Since the amalgamation assessment rolls are available on microfilm at Local History and Archives.
Ancaster: not available
Barton Township: After annexation (1960), see Hamilton assessment rolls. Pre-1960 not available.
Beverly Township: 1837-1954
Binbrook: 1854-1970
Dundas: 1835-1942
East Flamborough: 1840-1960
Flamborough: not available
Glanbrook: not available
Glanford: 1840-1957
Hamilton: 1834-1899 [with some gaps]
These records are organized by Ward (name or number). For a listing of historic wards see the “City of Hamilton Ward Boundary Maps, 1813-1985” (R346.713045 KIN) to determine the Ward where your property can be found..
Stoney Creek: not available
Waterdown: 1880-1959
West Flamborough: 1861-1960
Note: Several areas in Hamilton were previously part of other jurisdictions. West Hamilton was originally part of Ancaster Township, while east Hamilton and the Mountain were originally part of Barton Township. Aldershot was annexed by the then Town of Burlington in 1958. It had previously been an unincorporated village in East Flamborough Township. Aldershot was annexed by the then Town of Burlington in 1958. It had previously been an unicorporated village in East Flamborough Township.
Here are some maps and recourses that can help identify previous townships, jurisdications, or wards.
Plan of Hamilton, 1875
Portion of the Hamilton and North Western Railway and Connections, 1880
Map of Wentworth County, 1920, via McMaster University
