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

The Land Papers

Hamilton in the mid-1800s
Hamilton in the mid-1800s

The Land Papers were presented to the Hamilton Public Library by the daughters of John H. Land in September of 1956. Robert Land, 1772-1867, was the third son of Robert, 1736-1818, and Phoebe Scott Land, Loyalists from the Delaware Valley, New York, who fled to Canada during the American Revolutionary War. Robert the elder was one of the first settlers at the Head of the Lake, now the City of Hamilton, Ontario.

Robert Land the younger married Hannah Horning of Barton Township. He served in the 5th Lincoln Militia during the War of 1812. In 1830 he was gazetted lieutenant-colonel, and during the Rebellion of 1837-38 was in command of the 3rd Gore Regiment stationed at Hamilton. Most of these papers deal with the activities of the 3rd Gore Regiment in and around Hamilton. The papers are as follows:

1. Land Family
a. Correspondence, 1835-1867; 1
b. Miscellaneous personal papers, 1810-1851; 26
c. Bond of Ephraim Land, 1803; 44
d. Account book of Peter Horning's estate
e. Indenture of R. Land articled to R. O. Duggan, 1839; 69
f. "The Old Red House" by Jessie Skinner; 74

2. Deeds of Land
a. Deeds, surveys, etc. 1800-1869; 77
b. Specifications for a house in Hamilton, 1847; 117

3. Military Letters and Dispatches
a. Undated; 122
b. 1813-1823; 129
c. 1837; 136
d. 1838; 220
e. Receipts for dispatches: Ancaster, 580; Stoney Creek, 605; Wellington Square, 627
f. Four letter-books kept by Robert Land, 1837-38; 669
g. 1839; 964
h. Letters and judgment rolls in the case of William Scott Burn; 990
i. 1847-1863; 1096

4. Muster Rolls and Returns
a. Undated; 1106
b. 5th Lincoln Militia, 1812-1818; 1113
c. 3rd Gore Militia, Undated; 1163
d. 3rd Gore Militia, 1837; 1170
e. 3rd Gore Militia, 1838; 1220
f. 3rd Gore Militia, by companies; 1245
g. Reserve Militia, by township; 1330
h. Reserve Militia, miscellaneous papers, 1847-1879; 1564-b

5. Paylists
3rd Gore Militia
a. Schedule of pay; 1589
b. Pay of staff and regimental officers; 1592
c. Pay of sergeants and privates; 1602
d. Paylists by companies; 1608
e. Returns of sums due 1638
f. Miscellaneous estimates and returns; 1648
g. Receipts for company pay; 1655
3rd Gore Cavalry
h. Regimental officers' pay; 1668

 

6. Families of Militiamen
a. Letters, 1837-1838; 1670
b. Returns for rations; 1688
c. Certificates of families entitled to draw rations; 1734
d. Requisition slips for provisions for wives and children. Not sorted; 1777

7. Returns of Sick
a. Medical certificates; 1778
b. Sick returns, March-July 1838; 1785

8. Guard Reports and Accounts; 1878

9. Commissariat
a. Six day-books kept by Quarter-master's office; 2015
b. Provisions and supplies; 2348
c. Requisitions and returns; 2639
d. Prisoners' rations; requisitions and returns; 2674
e. Proceedings of a Board of Inquiry; 2676

10. Military Supplies
a. Arms and ammunition; 2680
b. Office supplies; 2750
c. Clothing, bedding, etc.; 2752
d. Horses, forage, etc.; 2778
e. Barracks' accounts; 2820
f. Barracks and stables, rent and repairs; 2855
g. Miscellaneous accounts, 1841, 1848; 2874

11. Teamsters
a. Returns; 2876
b. Day-book, December 31, 1837-February 21, 1838; 2898
c. Claims; 2916
d. Paylists; 2922
e. Accounts; 2946
f. Certificates; 2961
g. Requisitions for teams; 3056

12. State Prisoners
a. Letters and Reports; 3061
b. Miscellaneous accounts; 3080
c. Requisitions; 3098
c. Returns for provisions; 3159

13. Miscellaneous Military Papers, 1812-1863
a. Claims; 3169
b. Barracks regulations and accounts, 1827-1838; 3182
c. Commissions: 1823; 1830; 1839; 1869; 1870; 3315
d. Courts martial: 1812; 1820; 1838; 3346
e. Rules of the Rifle Association, 7th Military District, Upper Canada, organized July 1863; 3354
f. Torn and incomplete papers ----

14. Printed Acts, Reports, etc., 1813-1863; 3358

15. Books in the possession of Mrs. C. M. Clinton, 68 Water Street, Burlington
a. Letter book, November 26, 1838 - February 16, 1839, containing general orders of Lt. Col. Land.
b. Register and return of troops under Lt. Col. Land, May 1838
Index