Barton Branch is closed Tuesday, July 7, 9am-3pm due to a scheduled water shutdown for City construction work in the area.
Barton Branch - Closed Due to Water Disruption
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:
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Winona Cancelled
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Queen Victoria Cancelled
Mon Jul 6:
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Special Event - All Stops Cancelled
Published:
Friday, May 22, 2026 - 12:00pm
The Rights of Children and Youth in the Public Library Statement
The Hamilton Public Library provides library service for children and youth to support and foster a lifelong love of reading and learning. The Hamilton Public Library Board fully endorses the Children’s Rights in the Public Library adopted at the Ontario Library Association Annual General Meeting, November 1998 and the Teen’s Rights in the Public Library adopted at the Ontario Library Association General Meeting, June 2010.
DEFINITIONS
In the absence of definitions provided by OLA, and for the purpose of this statement, the following definitions apply:
Children: A person who is under the age of 18.
Teen: A person who is between the age of 13 and 17.
Youth: While the City of Hamilton identifies Youth to be a person between the ages of 14 and 29, for the purpose of this statement Youth refers to Teens (a person who is ages 13 to 17).
Ontario Library Association’s Position on Children’s Rights in the Public Library
Children in Public Libraries have the right to:
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Intellectual freedom.
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Equal access to the full range of services and materials available to other users.
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A full range of materials, services and programs specifically designed and developed to meet their needs.
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Adequate funding for collections and services related to population, use and local community needs.
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A library environment that complements their physical and developmental stages.
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Trained and knowledgeable staff specializing in children's services.
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Welcoming, respectful, supportive service from birth through the transition to adult user.
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An advocate who will speak on their behalf to the library administration, library board, municipal council and community to make people aware of the goals of children's services.
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Library policies written to include the needs of the child.
