Valley Park Branch is closed Tuesday May 27 and Wednesday morning May 28 due to a nearby water main break. Study Hall is also cancelled Tuesday May 27. We apologize for the inconvenience and aim to reopen as soon as possible.
Concession Branch's children's department will be closed on the morning of Monday, June 2nd for minor repairs. We apologize for the inconvenience.
The accessibility ramp at Mount Hope Branch is damaged. The handrail is not available. The ramp will not be available while being repaired. We aim to fix it quickly.
The Sherwood Branch has following service limitations due to construction:
- 1st Floor closed to the public
- 2nd Floor collections (teen, children, and graphic novels) available
- 2nd Floor: Limited browsing of Express Adult Fic and Express DVDs
- Holds pickup on the 2nd Floor
- Reduced number of public computers on 2nd Floor
- Printing and copying available on 2nd Floor
- Seating is reduced
- Parking, washroom and elevator access available
Please refer to hpl.ca/events for up-to-date program listings. Most programs will continue as normal on the 2nd Floor or in the basement.
All HPL Branches are closed on Friday May 30 for Staff Development. Bookmobile is off the road and Extended Access is not available. HPL's online card registration, catalogue and eResources are not available until 5pm due to scheduled maintenance. All branches reopen Saturday May 31.
Due to the ongoing roof repair project, noise and parking disruptions are expected to continue until the end of June. Thank you for your patience.
Until Saturday May 31, the Ancaster Branch is temporarily relocated to the Ancaster Rotary Centre, 385 Jerseyville Road West, Ancaster. The Wilson Street branch is closed for a roof and HVAC replacement and is expected to reopen on Monday June 2 at 9am.
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.
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.

Hamilton Hosts Internet Archive and Global Partners Preservation and Sharing of Important Stories and Histories Focus of Event
HAMILTON, ON – June 19, 2024 – Hamilton Public Library (HPL) welcomed representatives from Internet Archive, Woodland Cultural Centre and Liberian Learning Center to HPL's Central Library on Monday (Jun 17) to emphasize the importance of digitally preserving the customs, cultures, languages, stories and histories of those silenced around the world.
In an era of rampant disinformation and world conflicts aimed at eradicating generations of cultural treasures and histories, the partners spoke of the importance of preservation and contributing to the global repository of knowledge and content.
Internet Archives founder Brewster Kahle presented the non-profit digital library's vision of providing universal access to all knowledge through online access to a comprehensive global repository of books, periodicals, audio, video, archived websites and other cultural artifacts.
During a public tour of HPL's Local History and Archives, Paul Takala, HPL's Chief Librarian, stated that in the past year, HPL staff digitized more than 1,500 locally important documents and artifacts using a Scribe, which is custom-built hardware and software that works together to scan items quickly.
Woodland Cultural Centre (WCC) has also begun this important work. Its museum and library have collected and preserved 50,000 artifacts and is starting to digitize key pieces. The Centre was established in 1972 upon the closure of the Mohawk Institute Residential School under the direction of the Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians.
A Hamilton partner with a Liberian connection also works to do the same. "The collaboration between Internet Archives, Hamilton Public Library and Empowerment Squared in support of the Liberian Learning Center project is a testament to the transformative power of digital preservation and access," explains Leo Johnson, Chief Empowerment Officer, Empowerment Squared. "By promoting continuous learning and preserving international voices, we not only safeguard the rich cultural heritage of Liberia but also foster educational growth in post-conflict regions where important records, documents and literature are either inaccessible or under threat of being forever lost."
For example, Johnson hopes to digitally preserve a rare, significant book called The Light is Coming (translated). This small workbook is about learning to read and write the Kpelleh language, which is notable given the oral nature of Liberian society and culture where languages are predominantly spoken, not written.
These collaborative partnerships highlight the profound impact of digitizing content, ensuring that communities' stories, knowledge, and history are accessible to local communities, the greater world – and future generations.