Ancaster Branch Accessible Door Out of Order

The accessibility door at Ancaster Branch is not working. We aim to fix it quickly.

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Published:
Wednesday, November 5, 2025 - 5:00pm
Parkdale Branch Network Unavailable

There is an ongoing Wifi disruption due to Wi-Fi Upgrades at Parkdale Branch on Nov 5th. We aim to resolve this issue as quickly as possible.

Published:
Wednesday, November 5, 2025 - 9:15am
Red Hill Branch Network Unavailable

There is an ongoing Wifi disruption due to Wi-Fi Upgrades at Red Hill Branch on Nov 5th. We aim to resolve this issue as quickly as possible.

Published:
Wednesday, November 5, 2025 - 9:15am
Red Book Will Be Unavailable Tonight

The Red Book will be unavailable tonight from 10PM until approximately 4AM as we are upgrading the service. Thank you for your patience.

All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Wednesday, November 5, 2025 - 9:15am
Concession Branch and Sherwood Branch Network Unavailable

Wi-Fi disruption due to Wi-Fi Upgrades at Concession Branch and Sherwood Branch on Nov 6th. We aim to resolve this issue as quickly as possible.

Published:
Monday, November 3, 2025 - 12:15pm
Waterdown Branch Network Unavailable

Wifi disruption due to Wi-Fi Upgrades at Waterdown Branch on Nov 4th. We aim to resolve this issue as quickly as possible.

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Published:
Monday, November 3, 2025 - 9:45am
Kenilworth Branch Reopening

The Kenilworth Branch has reopened today, Monday, October 27. Please note that there is limited parking, and noise disruptions may occur this week as the final touches are made to the renovations. Thank you for your understanding.

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Published:
Monday, October 27, 2025 - 3:00pm
Delayed Branch Openings 

The following locations have upcoming delayed openings due to Staff training drills. 

Friday, November 7
Terryberry Branch, 10am

Monday, November 10 
Concession Branch, 10am

Thursday, November 13
Binbrook Branch, 10am

Friday, November 14
Valley Park Branch, 10am

Monday, November 24
Mount Hope, 2pm

Thursday, November 27
Stoney Creek, 10am

You may visit nearby Branches for your library needs. www.hpl.ca/hours

All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Tuesday, October 7, 2025 - 2:00pm
Replacement and Damage Fees

Bring back your borrowed library items (due Oct 1 or later) within 28 days to avoid a replacement or lost fee. We'll remove the fee when you bring back your overdue items. 

All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Thursday, September 11, 2025 - 3:00pm

Total Solar Eclipse April 8

Solar eclipse

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 branchesMcMaster UniversitySix 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.

Glasses

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.

Vision icon

Don’t Get Burned

Staring at the sun without protection may cause damage to your retina (the tissue at the back of your eye). This damage can occur without any sensation of pain. The injury can be temporary or permanent.

Watch online

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


Monday April 8, 2024.

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: