Cold Weather Alert for the City of Hamilton December 13, 2025.
The temperature is expected to plummet below minus 15 Celsius. For warm place hours visit hpl.ca/hours.
For a list of shelters and health information visit www.hamilton.ca/cold.
Cold Weather Alert for the City of Hamilton
All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Saturday, December 13, 2025 - 4:00pm
Binbrook Branch: Parking Lot Disruption
Due to the Binbrook Santa Claus Parade route, Binbrook Branch's parking lot will be unavailable from 1:30pm-4pm on Saturday, December 13. We apologize for the inconvenience.
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Published:
Saturday, December 13, 2025 - 10:45am
Red Hill Branch Accessible Washroom Out of Order
The accessible washroom at Red Hill Branch is not working. We aim to get it fixed quickly.
1
Published:
Friday, December 12, 2025 - 3:15pm
Modified Bookmobile Service
The Millgrove visit on Saturday, December 13, from 3:30 to 4 pm is cancelled. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Published:
Thursday, December 11, 2025 - 3:00pm
Printing Unavailable at Westdale Branch
Printing is not working at Westdale Branch. We aim to fix it as soon as possible.
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Published:
Wednesday, December 10, 2025 - 10:30am
Study Halls - Holiday Break
Study Halls will be paused from Friday, December 19, and resume on Monday, January 5, 2026.
www.hpl.ca/study-halls
All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Tuesday, December 9, 2025 - 9:15am
Telephone Service - Technical Issues
Please note that the 905-546-3200 main line is experiencing technical issues today, Monday, December 8. Members can still reach Staff at 289-779-7588 or by email or through chat online. We are working quickly to resolve the issue. Thank you for your patience.
All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Monday, December 8, 2025 - 7:30pm
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
Accessibility Policy
Policy Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to ensure that the Hamilton Public Library provides library services, resources and facilities in ways that are accessible to persons with disabilities. It provides a framework for compliance with the requirements of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act (ODA) and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and addresses specific areas required by the Integrated Accessibility Standards regulation associated with the AODA. This Policy applies to all persons who provide library services including employees, volunteers and all other persons that provide goods, services or facilities on behalf of the Library.
Key Points Summary
- The Hamilton Public Library is committed to providing Library services that are accessible to all persons who wish to obtain, use, and benefit from Library services. Library Services will be relevant, inclusive, and responsive to community needs. Each member of the community, including persons with disabilities, has an equal opportunity to use and/or to be employed by the Hamilton Public Library.
- The Library will provide accessible customer service that respects the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities. The Library will strive to provide library services that meet the specific needs of persons with disabilities, and services that are convenient and accessible.
- The Hamilton Public Library will provide communication supports and accessible formats and it will incorporate accessibility design, criteria and features when procuring or acquiring goods, services or facilities, except where it is not practicable to do so.
- The Hamilton Public Library is committed to providing employment accommodation processes for library employees and job applicants. The Library will notify its employees and the public about the availability of accommodation for job applicants and for employees with disabilities.
- The Library will meet the accessibility needs of persons with disabilities in a timely manner. When communicating with a person with a disability, the Library will do so in a way that takes into account the person’s disability, as directed by that individual.
Definitions
- “Accessible formats” may include, but are not limited to, large print, recorded audio and electronic formats, braille and other formats usable by persons with disabilities.
- “Assistive devices” are any products, instruments, equipment or technological aids used by persons with disabilities to help prevent, compensate, relieve or neutralize a disability. They may include Braille recorders, recording devices, Bliss symbolics boards or devices, and more.
- A “barrier” is anything that prevents a person with a disability from fully participating in all aspects of society because of their disability, including a physical barrier, an architectural barrier, an information or communications barrier, an attitudinal barrier, a technological barrier, a policy or a practice.
- “Communication supports” may include, but are not limited to, captioning, alternative and augmentative communication supports, plain language, sign language and other supports that facilitate effective communications.
- "Disability" means:
- any degree of physical disability, infirmity, malformation or disfigurement that is caused by bodily injury, birth defect or illness and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, includes diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, a brain injury, any degree of paralysis, amputation, lack of physical co-ordination, blindness or visual impediment, deafness or hearing impediment, muteness or speech impediment, or physical reliance on a guide dog or other animal or on a wheelchair or other remedial appliance or device,
- a condition of mental impairment or a developmental disability,
- a learning disability, or a dysfunction in one or more of the processes involved in understanding or using symbols or spoken language,
- a mental disorder, or
- an injury or disability for which benefits were claimed or received under the insurance plan established under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997.
- any degree of physical disability, infirmity, malformation or disfigurement that is caused by bodily injury, birth defect or illness and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, includes diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, a brain injury, any degree of paralysis, amputation, lack of physical co-ordination, blindness or visual impediment, deafness or hearing impediment, muteness or speech impediment, or physical reliance on a guide dog or other animal or on a wheelchair or other remedial appliance or device,
- “Service animal” refers to an animal used by a person for reason relating to their disability. An animal is a service animal for a person with a disability if,
- The animal can be readily identified as one that is being used by the person for reasons relating to the person’s disability, as a result of visual indicators such as the vest or harness worn by the animal; or
- The person provides documentation from one of the following regulated health professionals confirming that the person requires the animal for reasons relating to the disability: \
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A member of the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario;
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A member of the College of Chiropractors of Ontario;
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A member of the College of Nurses of Ontario;
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A member of the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario;
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A member of the College of Optometrists of Ontario;
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A member of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario;
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A member of the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario;
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A member of the College of Psychologists of Ontario; or
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A member of the College of Registered Psychotherapists and Registered Mental Health Therapists of Ontario. O. Reg. 165/16, s. 16
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A “support person” is another person who accompanies a person with a disability to help with communication, mobility, personal care or medical needs or with access to goods, services or facilities.
