Barton Branch - Closed Due to Water Disruption

Barton Branch is closed Tuesday, July 7, 9am-3pm due to a scheduled water shutdown for City construction work in the area.

Published:
Friday, July 3, 2026 - 2:45pm
Heat Warning Notification for the City of Hamilton

Heat Warning for the City of Hamilton.

Significant heat and humidity will arrive on Tuesday June 30.

For information about heat-related illnesses, cool place locations and reducing your risk, visit hamilton.ca.

Published:
Tuesday, June 30, 2026 - 9:00am
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
Carlisle Branch Accessible Door Out of Order

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

Published:
Thursday, June 25, 2026 - 2:45pm
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
Construction at Barton Branch

The entrance to the Barton Branch's parking lot off Milton Street is currently inaccessible due to construction. Please use the alley entrance off Fullerton Street. 

Published:
Wednesday, June 17, 2026 - 9:15am
Phishing Scheme

Please be aware of online phishing attempts impersonating Hamilton Public Library and Library Staff. HPL does not solicit paid freelance opportunities through social media or other messaging applications. HPL does not request personal or banking information through social media or require financial compensation when reviewing job applications. Please report phishing schemes to communications@hpl.ca. If you think you are a victim of fraud, please call the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.

Published:
Wednesday, June 10, 2026 - 5:00am
Bookmobile Service Modification

Bookmobile Service Modifications 

Fri Jul 3:                    

  • Winona Cancelled

  • Queen Victoria Cancelled

Mon Jul 6:                 

  • Special Event - All Stops Cancelled

Published:
Friday, May 22, 2026 - 12:00pm

Red Book by Hamilton Public Library Inclusion Policy and Terms of Use

Policy Purpose

To clearly illustrate the scope and breadth of records kept in the Red Book, the intentions of this resource, and to set out terms for how this information is owned by HPL, used and shared by others.

Key Points Summary

  • Red Book by HPL provides equitable access and support for knowledge of programs, organizations and resources in the community.
  • HPL determines which records are contained in the Red Book based on our Inclusion and Exclusion criteria
  • HPL accepts no liability for accuracy of information in the Red Book and does not endorse any organization or program by its inclusion
  • HPL welcomes suggestions and feedback to redbook@hpl.ca, however we reserve the right to determine and edit records at our discretion

Policy Details

Hamilton Public Library gathers, organizes, maintains and shares information about community organizations and programs that provide services to the public. Red Book by Hamilton Public Library makes this information readily available to the community, enabling people to make informed choices to improve their quality of life. We produce and manage the Red Book, a resource database of community services. 

Listing Inclusion

Red Book by Hamilton Public Library includes services located in the City of Hamilton or serving the people of Hamilton that are:

  • non-profit, community-based services
  • government services
  • elected representatives (in a non-partisan manner)
  • grassroots organizations

 Commercial organizations are generally excluded, except in cases where:

  • They provide a service not offered by the non-profit sector
  • They meet the specific needs of an underrepresented group or group that faces systemic barriers to service

 Red Book by Hamilton Public Library includes, but is not limited to, services related to:

  • Aging
  • Basic needs
  • Cultural groups
  • Education
  • Employment and training
  • Environment
  • Faith groups and places of worship
  • Health
  • Legal and criminal system
  • Recreation
  • Settlement and integration
  • Youth services

Inclusion in the Red Book is free and subject to the discretion of Hamilton Public Library.

Listing Exclusion

Red Book by Hamilton Public Library, generally, does not include records for private professionals, organizations or agencies offering services for profit.
Hamilton Public Library reserves the right to exclude from the database any organization that it has, in its own discretion, adequate reason to believe may spread hatred or have a philosophy that could be hurtful to the well-being of individuals, groups or the community as a whole.  
 
Potential grounds for exclusion or removal from the database may include, but are not limited to, service non-delivery, fraud, misrepresentation, discrimination based on grounds named in the Ontario Human Rights Code and/or the Canadian Charter of Human Rights, criminal activities, or operating outside licensing mandates.