All branches close on Sunday, December 21, 2025. This includes branches with Extended Access.
All branches close on December 25 and 26 for Christmas and Boxing Day. This includes branches with Extended Access.
All branches close on Sunday, December 28, 2025. This includes branches with Extended Access.
All branches close on Thursday January 1 for New Years Day. This includes branches with Extended Access.
Study Halls will be paused from Friday, December 19, and resume on Monday, January 5, 2026.
www.hpl.ca/study-halls
Please note that the 905-546-3200 main line is experiencing technical issues today, Monday, December 8. Members can still reach Staff at 289-779-7588 or by email or through chat online. We are working quickly to resolve the issue. Thank you for your patience.
Bring back your borrowed library items (due Oct 1 or later) within 28 days to avoid a replacement or lost fee. We'll remove the fee when you bring back your overdue items.
The Public Library Research Symposium

Expanding Horizons: Shaping Public Library Knowledge and Practice Through Partnered Research
Wednesday, November 12, 2025, 9am-4:30pm (Doors Open at 8am)
Central Library, 4th Floor
The Public Library Research Symposium brings together researchers, library science graduate program students and public library professionals for a one-day event at Hamilton Public Library’s Central Library, in partnership with McMaster’s Community Research Platform and Burlington Public Library.
Learn more about the Speaker Bios and the library-linked research sessions which will make for an engaging day of networking and learning.

Dr. Paulette Rothbauer - Keynote Guest Speaker
Topic: Public Libraries and Social Cohesion: What the Research Tells Us
Dr. Paulette Rothbauer holds a PhD in Library and Information Science from The University of Western Ontario where she is a Full Professor in the Faculty of Information & Media Studies. She is an expert on the role that libraries play in supporting an active reading culture in their communities. She is a passionate advocate for public libraries, has been studying and teaching about reading and libraries for over 25 years.
8:30am-9:00am Welcome breakfast and networking
9:00am-9:30am Formal welcome and introductions
9:30am-10:30am Keynote address: Dr. Paulette Rothbauer
10:45am-12:30pm Horizons in Focus: Community Research Platform Lightning Round
12:30pm-2:00pm Lunch and student poster showcase
2:00pm-3:15pm Topics on the Horizon: Transformative Challenges in Librarianship Panel
3:15pm-4:00pm Future Horizons: Community of Practice Development
4:00pm-4:30pm Closing conversations
Call for Student Abstracts! Submissions due October 10, 2025. Learn more details.
Questions? Please contact Sarah Gauthier, Central Information Services, at sgauthie@hpl.ca

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