Carlisle Branch - Exterior Filming

From Tuesday, March 3, to Wednesday, March 4, filming will take place from 7am to 11pm at 1464 Centre Road. This may impact traffic flow in the surrounding area.

Published:
Friday, February 20, 2026 - 2:15pm
Terryberry Branch Elevator Out of Order

The Terryberry branch parking lot elevator is out of order. The branch is still accessible via the ramp to the Mohawk doors and then the elevator in the middle of the building. We're working to get it fixed quickly.

Published:
Thursday, February 19, 2026 - 5:00pm
Carlisle Branch Accessible Door Out of Order

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

Published:
Tuesday, February 17, 2026 - 2:30pm
Concession Branch - Upcoming Renovations

Renovation preparations are underway in anticipation of the March 2 start. Computer availability may be limited.  Living Room and Makerspace areas are closed. (The next nearest Makerspaces are Sherwood and Terryberry Branches). Renovations are expected to wrap up by late Spring. Thank you for your patience.

Published:
Tuesday, February 10, 2026 - 1:00pm
Sherwood Branch - Upcoming Renovations

Renovation preparations are underway in anticipation of the March 2 start. Starting the week of February 23, the 2nd Floor will be closed. The Children's collection will be temporarily available on the 1st Floor. Renovations are expected to wrap up by late Spring. Thank you for your patience.

Published:
Tuesday, February 10, 2026 - 1:00pm
Central Library - Living Room Renovation Preparation

Starting Tuesday, February 10, the First Floor Living Room will be unavailable due to renovation preparations. Study and work spaces are available on Floors 2-3. 

Please note the Noon Hour Concert on Friday, February 13, will be held at Terryberry Branch instead. 

Thank you for your patience.

Published:
Friday, February 6, 2026 - 9:00am
Bookmobile Service Modification

Please note the following Bookmobile visit updates.

Thursday, February 19
Rockton (10:30am-11:30am) - Cancelled
Bennetto 5-5:30pm (instead of 4-5:30pm)

Wednesday, February 25
Swansea 10:00-10:30am - Cancelled
Helen Detwiler 11:00am-12:00pm - Cancelled
Warplane Museum 3:00-4:00pm - Cancelled

Friday, February 27
Winona 11:00am-12:00pm - Cancelled
Maplewood 2:30-4:00pm - Cancelled

Published:
Monday, February 2, 2026 - 3:15pm
Carlisle Branch Accessible Washroom Out of Order

The accessible washroom at Carlisle Branch is not working. We aim to get it fixed quickly.

Published:
Tuesday, January 27, 2026 - 12:30pm
Central Library - Sunday Hours Paused

Effective Sunday, February 1, Sunday service hours at Central Library will be paused. 

Sunday Hours will continue at Dundas, Red Hill, Terryberry, Turner Park, Valley Park and Waterdown Branches from 1-5pm.

www.hpl.ca/hours 

Published:
Wednesday, January 21, 2026 - 11:00am

Census

Wilkinson Family Portrait
Wilkinson Family Portrait, 189-?

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.  

Family Search

A searchable collection of global census results spanning several centuries. Canadian records from 1825 (Lower Canada) to 1931 are available. Registration (free) is required. 

Automated Genealogy

An indexed database of the 1901 Canadian census.