Bookmobile Stops Cancelled

All Bookmobile stops for Saturday April 11th are cancelled due to unforseen circumstances. We apologize for the inconvenience. 

Published:
Saturday, April 11, 2026 - 1:30pm
Concession Branch Drop Box Unavailable

The drop box at Concession Branch is closed. Please use [alternate drop box/return your items at the Info Desk].

Published:
Saturday, April 11, 2026 - 12:15pm
Central Library - Filming Nearby April 12-15

Due to filming in the area, there will be production vehicles and various pieces of film equipment located on:

East side of Bay Street between King Street West and York Blvd. 

South side King Street East between McNab and Bay Streets

Published:
Friday, April 10, 2026 - 8:30am
Carlisle Branch Accessible Door Out of Order

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

Published:
Thursday, April 9, 2026 - 2:15pm
Turner Park Branch - Study Hall Cancelled, Thursday, April 16

Due to exterior pavement construction, the Study Hall (8pm-Midnight) on Thursday, April 16 is cancelled. Study Hall service resumes on Monday, April 20. 

The back parking lot will not be accessible from 10 pm on April 16 to 10 pm on Friday, April 17. Thank you for your understanding.

Published:
Wednesday, April 8, 2026 - 2:30pm
Concession Branch - Renovations, April 7-10

Please note that there is higher than usual noise levels and odors due to renovations taking place this week. Thank you in advance for your patience.

Published:
Tuesday, April 7, 2026 - 2:30am
Mount Hope Branch - Delayed Opening, Monday, May 4

Due to Staff training, Mount Hope Branch will have a delayed opening of 2 pm on Monday, May 4. You may visit Turner Park Branch as the next nearest location for your library needs. Thank you for your patience.

Published:
Friday, March 27, 2026 - 8:00am
Central Library: SAD Therapy Lamp Out of Order

The Seasonal Affective Disorder therapy lamp on the 2nd floor at Central Library is out of order. The estimated time of disruption is unknown at this time. For more locations, please visit Light Therapy Lamps | HPL.

Published:
Monday, March 23, 2026 - 10:00am
Central Library: Children's Area Renovation on 2nd Floor, March 30-April 27

Starting March 30, renovations for the 2nd floor Central Children's Area will begin. Programs will still be offered as scheduled and there will be a temporary pop-up Children’s Area on the northeast side of the 2nd floor (near the Piano Room), including access to collections and train tables. Thank you for your patience during this time.

Published:
Monday, March 23, 2026 - 9:00am
Bookmobile Service Modifications

Due to driver availability, Bookmobile is off the road for the following. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Wednesday, April 15

  • Swansea 10:00-10:30 am - Cancelled
  • Helen Detwiler 11am-Noon - Cancelled
  • Warplane Museum 3-4 pm - Cancelled

Thursday, April 16

  • Rockton 10:30-11:30 am - Cancelled
  • Mohawk Gardens 2:30-3 pm - Cancelled
  • Meadowlands 3:30-4 pm - Cancelled

Tuesday, April 21

  • Greencedar 5:30pm-6:30pm (instead of 4-5pm)
  • Mountview 5:30-6:30 pm - Cancelled

Friday, April 24

  • Winona 11 am-Noon - Cancelled
  • Maplewood 2:30-4 pm - Cancelled

Tuesday, April 28

  • McMaster 3:30-4:30 pm - Cancelled

Wednesday, April 29

  • Swansea 10-10:30 am - Cancelled
  • Helen Detwiler 11 am-Noon - Cancelled
  • Warplane Museum 3-4 pm - Cancelled
Published:
Monday, March 16, 2026 - 10:15am
Central Library - New Library Card Check-in Process

Starting Monday, March 16, adults 18+ are required to show their Library card to access Central Library. This is a temporary measure to ensure safety for all. Thank you for your patience in advance.

Published:
Friday, March 13, 2026 - 5:45pm
Valley Park Community Centre Closure

From March 23 until April 12, Valley Park Community Centre will be closed for renovations, reopening April 13. Pool and changerooms will remain closed until early summer 2026. 

Valley Park Branch will remain open during the renovations for your library needs.

www.hpl.ca/valley-park

Published:
Friday, February 27, 2026 - 11:00am
Concession Branch: Renovations

As of Monday, March 2, Concession Branch's Living Room and Makerspace areas are closed. (The next nearest Makerspaces are Sherwood and Terryberry Branches.) Seating may be limited at times. Renovations are expected to be completed in late Spring. Thank you for your patience.

Published:
Tuesday, February 10, 2026 - 1:00pm
Sherwood Branch: Renovations

As of Monday, March 2, Sherwood Branch's 2nd floor is closed due to renovations. Makerspace, Children and Teen's collection are temporarily available on the 1st floor. All programs will be held in the basement program room. Renovations are expected to be completed in late Spring. Thank you for your patience.

Published:
Tuesday, February 10, 2026 - 1:00pm
Carlisle Branch Accessible Washroom Out of Order

The accessible washroom at Carlisle Branch is not working. We aim to get it fixed quickly.

Published:
Tuesday, January 27, 2026 - 12:30pm

Steel Town Love - A Festival for Romance Readers and Writers

Steel Town Love

Saturday July 11 
Central Library  

Hamilton's first festival dedicated to romance novels and the people who love them. 

Join other romance book enthusiasts at Hamilton Public Library for a day of swoon-worthy events, including author talks, signings, workshops, a vendor market and more.  

Registration opens June 1, 2026. 

Festival Activities

Reader's Lounge at the Hamilton Farmer's Market
11am - 2pm
Farmer’s Market

Take a break between author panels, browsing and our Meet Cute Market to chill out in our reader's lounge. Head to the Hamilton Farmers' Market to relax, read romance stories, colour, make buttons and chat.

 

The Meet-Cute Market
11am – 3pm
1st Floor Living Room
A curated market for romance readers to shop to their heart's delight.

 

Green Screen Fun - Star in Your Own Romance Book Cover
11am – 3pm
4th Floor Makerspace

Be the star in your own romance book cover using our green screen technology.

 

Cricut Design Space
11am – 3pm
4th Floor Makerspace

Create romance-themed crafts using the Cricut.

 

Epic Books will be selling books at the event on the fourth floor.

Workshops and Author Talks  

Writing Workshop: Farah Heron, Tropes and Vibes to Story and Plot  
11am – Noon  
1st Floor Wentworth Room 

A short-fiction workshop by Farah Heron, author of romance novels Accidentally Engaged, Just Playing House and The Chai Factor. 
Registration Required   

Author Talk: Uzma Jalaluddin in conversation with Farah Heron  
1pm – 2pm 
4th Floor 

The romance authors take readers behind the curtain of the genre they love, to discuss tropes, identities, book boyfriends and cross-genre writing. 

Author Panel: Jackie Lau, Kate Robb and Ellie K. Wilde 
2pm – 3pm  
4th Floor 

A discussion about the rise of the romance genre, favourite tropes to write about and how living in the GTA influences their books. Moderated by Jenn Houser aka @burlingtonbiblio.  

Author Signings
3pm – 4pm 
4th Floor 

Mix and mingle with local romance authors, purchase a copy of their book, and get it autographed.

Warmup Events 

Whet your appetite with meetups and book clubs leading up to the big event.  

Explore Our Romance Novel Collection 

Find your next literary crush with HPL’s romance booklist.