Bookmobile Stops Cancelled

Due to poor air quality, Bookmobile has the following cancellations for Friday, July 17:

Winona (11am-12pm)
Queen Victoria (3-4pm)

Regular service is expected to return next week. Thank you for your understanding.

Published:

Thursday, July 16, 2026 - 8:00am

Air Quality Warning

An Orange Air Quality Warning has been initiated for the City of Hamilton by Environment and Climate Change Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks beginning July 15, 2026. This alert will remain in effect until a cancellation notice is issued.

Stay safe, Hamilton. www.hpl.ca/hours

Published:

Wednesday, July 15, 2026 - 2:00pm

HPL Catalogue and Online Resources Not Available - Sunday, July 19

Due to online maintenance, Members can not access HPL's catalogue, online services and resources on Sunday, July 19 from 5am-10am. Thank you in advance for your understanding.

Published:

Monday, July 13, 2026 - 3:00pm

Express Items via OverDrive - Partner Libraries Update

As of July 1st, partner library Members can no longer borrow HPL Express items via Overdrive. More to Borrow partner libraries will be offering Lucky Express (Skip the line) titles to their cardholders only. This will help manage wait times for popular titles. Lucky Express is a collection of in demand titles with a seven-day loan period, available with no wait.

Our partners will still be able to borrow titles from the rest of our collection.
www.hpl.ca/more-to-borrow

Published:

Monday, July 6, 2026 - 10:00am

What's Happening Guide Changes

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.

Published:

Monday, June 29, 2026 - 3:00pm

Sunday Hours Return to Central Library

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

Published:

Monday, June 29, 2026 - 1:00pm

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

Community Publicity Procedure

PROCEDURE PURPOSE

To outline the procedures related to the promotion, distribution and display of community related publicity material at the Library’s physical locations, online on the library website, or on digital screens and social media platforms.

DEFINITIONS

Community Publicity Material: Promotional material that informs the public of a free event, initiative or service in the Hamilton area. 

PROCEDURE DETAILS

Hamilton Public Library (HPL) will only promote material that aligns with its mission and vision.

HPL reserves the right to reject any community publicity material or approve exceptions to promote.

Approval to post community publicity material does not imply the Library’s endorsement of content and will only be accommodated after the Library and the Library Partners’ needs are met.

Community publicity materials may only be accepted from legally constituted non-profit or charitable organizations or government-supported agencies such as the Board of Education. 

All material submitted becomes the property of the Library and will not be returned. HPL does not notify the community group if the request is not accepted for any reason, including lack of space.

HPL reserves the right to decide the appropriate medium and location to share community publicity.

We require submission of materials 14 days in advance of event date for Library review and posting.

COMMUNITY PUBLICITY MATERIAL 

Acceptable Material 

Any print or digital copies submitted to the library must be professional and of high quality. Printed material cannot exceed 8 1/2" x 11". Content should be submitted in file formats as follows: 

Print Posters: 8.5"x11" 300dpi PDF

Digital LCD Screens: 1920x1080px JPEG

Social Promotions: 1500x1500px JPEG

Postings are dependent on space available and may vary by library branch. 

Material may be accepted if the content of the post meets all of these criteria: 

It is aligned with the Hamilton Public Library’s mission and vision.  
It is a public free event or service offered without discrimination or prejudice to any group.

It is educational, recreational, cultural, or community interest event or service. 
It is of local interest, occurring in the Hamilton area and relevant to the local community.

Unacceptable Material

Material will not be accepted if its form or content include any of the following: 

Retail or wholesale advertisements, private notices, personal services and information about money-making events sponsored by for-profit organizations. 
Petitions and solicitations including all fundraising activities and events. 
Contravenes the Human Rights Code, the Charter of Rights, the Criminal Code of Canada, City of Hamilton bylaws, or any laws or legislation. 
Material that advocates a particular view such as political, religious or philosophic position. 
Material inappropriate in size (larger than 8 1/2" x 11") format or quality.

Material received less than 14 days in advance of an event.
Material, as determined by staff, to be not relevant to their local community.

Distribution and Promotion

HPL may elect to display copies of local community newspapers (e.g. Dundas Star) or other major cultural or educational institutions publications (e.g. college calendars, Stratford or Shaw Festival events) dependent upon space, and availability of acceptable distribution stands where possible.  

Community publicity material are not to be placed at customer service desks, or in inappropriate locations such as the floor. This material should not take visual precedence over Library business. 

Digital/social media materials should be emailed to communications@hpl.ca for consideration.

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS  

Community publicity material must be submitted to HPL Communications Department for review.

Digital material can be emailed to communications@hpl.ca. 

Printed material can be dropped off in the Publicity Bin on the 1st Floor of the Central Library or delivered to the following address: 

Hamilton Public Library 
P.O. Box 2700
Attn: Communications Department 
55 York Boulevard 
Hamilton, ON   L8N 4E4 

Communications Department Staff reviews daily the submitted materials to determine if it follows the policy and procedure for approval for display, distribution, or promotion.

Community publicity material is approved and posted only as space and staff time permit. Approved material will be sent to the appropriate branch(s). 