The public computers and printing are not available at all branches today starting at 1pm due to emergency maintenance. The work is expected to take two hours.
All Branches Public Computers and Printing Service Disruption
Published:
Friday, July 17, 2026 - 9:45am
Bookmobile Stops Cancelled
Due to poor air quality, Bookmobile has the following cancellations for Friday, July 17:
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Winona (11am-12pm)
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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
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.
