As of Monday, August 31, new loan periods will come into effect to shorten the wait time for popular hold items.
DVD Express - 3 days
DVDs and Blu-rays - 7 days (fiction, children's and languages)
Magazines - 7 days
Bestseller Express - 14 days
DVDs and Blu-rays - 14 days (non-fiction and TV series)
Books - 21 days
Music/Books on CD and Children's Express - 21 days
Please visit www.hpl.ca/borrowing for more details.
The Bookmobile visit to the Helen Detwiler location on Wed Jul 29 is cancelled.
As of July 1, Partner Library Members can no longer borrow HPL Express items via OverDrive. More to Borrow partner libraries offer Lucky Express (Skip the Line) titles to their cardholders only. This helps manage wait times for popular titles. Lucky Express is a collection of in-demand titles with a seven-day loan and no wait time.
Partner Library Members can borrow titles from the main collection.
hpl.ca/more-to-borrow
The What's Happening Guide has been retired and replaced with different communications channels and tactics. You can find the new Summer Reading Flyer here. Watch for future communications updates.
Sunday hours return to Central Library. Beginning July 5, Central is open Noon to 5pm. Dundas, Red Hill, Terryberry, Turner Park, Valley Park and Waterdown branches are also open Sundays, 1 to 5pm. hpl.ca/hours
After Hours Study Hall is not available in July and August. Hours will resume Tuesday, September 8. www.hpl.ca/study-halls
Saturday July 11
9am-4pm
Central Library, 4th Floor
Join fellow romance readers for the second annual Steel Town Love, a full day of swoon-worthy events featuring author talks, signings, a romance book market and more.
Registration includes access to a full day of romance-filled fun. Some of our most popular sessions may fill up, so we recommend arriving early to grab a great seat for your top picks.
9–10am
Welcome and Check-In
10–11am
Romantasy Author Panel
Featuring Amanda Connolly, Kritika H. Rao and Anuja Varghese
Moderated by Victoria S. Walsh
10am–2pm
Readers’ Lounge in the Hamilton Farmers’ Market
Romance-themed crafts, activities and more.
11:30am–12:30pm
Hannah Bonam-Young and Lavanya Lakshmi in Conversation
Moderated by Sophie Burraston
12:30–1pm
Author Signing
Featuring Amanda Connolly, Kritika H. Rao, Anuja Varghese, Hannah Bonam-Young and Lavanya Lakshmi
12:30–2:30pm
Green Screen Fun in the Makerspace
Star in Your Own Romance Book Cover
1–2:30pm
Break
1–2pm
Writing Workshop: Introduction to Self-Publishing
With Hudson Lin
Hamilton Room – Limited to 40 spots
2:30–3:30pm
Contemporary Romance Author Panel
Featuring Lily Chu, Frankie Scott (Zoe Whittall) and Ellie K. Wilde
Moderated by Anuja Varghese
3:30–4pm
Author Signing
Featuring Hudson Lin, Lily Chu, Frankie Scott and Ellie K. Wilde
Crafts, activities and the book market will be available throughout the day from 9am–4pm.
Presented in partnership with Epic Books, gritLIT and the Hamilton Farmers’ Market. Book sales provided by Epic Books.
Hannah Bonam-Young
A New York Times bestselling romance author whose work features diverse, disabled, marginalized and LGBTQIA+ characters. Hannah blends swoon-worthy romance with the realities of everyday life. She lives near Niagara Falls with her family.
Sophie Burraston
A romance reader, interviewer and publishing professional originally from Brisbane, Australia, now based in Ontario. Sophie works with bestselling authors Hannah Bonam-Young and Becka Mack.
Lily Chu
Author of eight acclaimed romance and women’s fiction novels, including Audible Originals performed by stars such as Phillipa Soo, John Cho and Simu Liu. Lily lives in Toronto with her family and two cats.
Amanda Connolly
A Canadian political journalist and editor, and recipient of the EU-Canada Young Journalist Fellowship. The Lure of Wolves and Whispers is her debut novel.
Lavanya Lakshmi
Lavanya Lakshmi has lived in nine cities across India, China, the US, and Canada. One of her many childhood homes was a suite on the 37th floor of a luxury hotel. She has a Master's degree from NYU and is in the Board of Directors for the Festival of Literary Diversity. Her debut novel, Leave and Come Back, was named one of Indigo's Best 100 Books of the Year (So Far) and one of Amazon's Best Romances for the month of June.
Hudson Lin
Writes heartfelt romances featuring queer people of colour. Hudson is also Program Coordinator at the Festival of Literary Diversity and co-host of the Into the FOLD Podcast.
Kritika H. Rao
A speculative and children’s fiction author whose work explores identity, consciousness and belonging through stories shaped by her international lived experiences.
Frankie Scott
The romance-writing pen name of bestselling novelist and TV writer Zoe Whittall, known for work on Schitt’s Creek, Degrassi and Baroness von Sketch Show.
Anuja Varghese
An award-winning Hamilton-based writer whose debut romantasy novel A Kiss of Crimson Ash launches a new trilogy inspired by medieval India.
Victoria S. Walsh
Author of The Iron Hex Trilogy and creator of fantasy, fashion and book content online. Victoria is a graduate of McMaster University.
Ellie K. Wilde
Writer of contemporary romance and romantic comedies featuring fiery heroines and lovable heroes.
*Steeltown Love Illustrations created by Ashley Cheree
