All Bookmobile visits are cancelled on Saturday, January 3. Regular service visits resume Monday, January 5. www.hpl.ca/bookmobile
Bookmobile Stops Cancelled
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Published:
Friday, January 2, 2026 - 2:00pm
Bookmobile Service Modification
Due to mechanical issues, the Winona (11 am-Noon) and Maplewood (2:30-4 pm) visits are cancelled today, Friday, January 2. Queen Victoria visit is also cancelled. Service is expected to resume next week. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Published:
Friday, January 2, 2026 - 10:00am
Waterdown Branch Accessible Door Out of Order
The accessibility door at Waterdown Branch is not working. We aim to fix it quickly.
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Published:
Tuesday, December 30, 2025 - 12:00pm
Central Library Makerspace - White Vinyl Unavailable
The Makerspace at Central Library is currently out of white vinyl for printing. Members needing white vinyl can visit the Dundas or Valley Park branch Makerspaces, which are the closest locations with white vinyl currently available.
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Published:
Saturday, December 27, 2025 - 3:00pm
Barton Branch Closure - January 7
Due to maintenance, the Barton Branch will be closed on Wednesday, January, 7. Please visit Central Library or Kenilworth Branch for your library needs. www.hpl.ca/hours
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Published:
Wednesday, December 24, 2025 - 11:45am
Printing Updates
Daily print balances for black and white and colour printing change January 2, 2026. The new daily print balance is 40 cents. Members receive four free black and white copies or two free colour copies.
Large format and vinyl printing pricing also change on January 2. Visit https://www.hpl.ca/makerspaces for updates.
All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Monday, December 22, 2025 - 2:00pm
Central Library, Fourth Floor Closure: Friday, January 2
Due to the setup for the Noon Hour Concert, the Fourth Floor at Central Library will be closed on Friday, January 2. Makerspace and Newcomer Learning Centre will remain open. Floors 1-3 have spaces to work and study.
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Published:
Friday, December 19, 2025 - 5:00pm
Study Halls - Holiday Break
Branch Study Halls are paused Friday, December 19, 2025 through Monday, January 5, 2026. Central Library Study Hall hours resume Spring 2026.
www.hpl.ca/study-halls
All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Tuesday, December 9, 2025 - 9:15am
Replacement and Damage Fees
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.
All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Thursday, September 11, 2025 - 3:00pm
Researchers at HPL
Hamilton Public Library is committed to supporting and collaborating on research that aligns with our mission to enhance community knowledge, inform public policy and improve Library services. Through partnerships with researchers, universities and other organizations, we aim to foster impactful and equitable research initiatives that benefit both the Library and the broader Hamilton community.
We welcome research proposals from academic and community-based researchers who are interested in working with HPL. Please review the How to Submit a Research Proposal below to learn more.
Research Partnership Opportunities
HPL partners with McMaster University's Community Research Platform (CRP) to align Hamilton-focused research opportunities with the Library's strategic priorities. The CRP only works with individuals affiliated with and conducting research at McMaster University.
If you are a McMaster-based researcher, you are required to follow the process outlined in the Research Partnership Guidelines listed below.
Please contact the CRP Program Manager to determine if your study is a fit for the Community Research Platform.
How to Submit a Research Proposal
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Review the HPL Research Guidelines – Before submitting a request, please read our Research Partnership Guidelines to understand our processes, expectations and focus areas.
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Complete the Research Request Form – All researchers external to McMaster University must fill out the HPL Research Request Form with details about your project, including objectives, required HPL involvement, ethical considerations and expected outcomes.
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Submit Your Proposal – Submit your completed form. Our team will review your proposal and assess its alignment with HPL’s strategic priorities and capacity.
Important Considerations
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Limited Capacity for Research Requests: Due to the high volume of research requests, HPL will contact you only if there is interest in participating in your research. The estimated timeline for this is up to four weeks.
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No Guarantee of Future Approvals: Approval of a past research proposal does not guarantee future approvals or ongoing research collaborations. Each submission is assessed independently, based on current priorities and the availability of resources.
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Ethical Compliance: All research involving human participants must receive approval from a recognized Research Ethics Board (REB) before the data collection commences.
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Public Knowledge Sharing: Whenever possible, we encourage researchers to share their findings through public engagement activities at HPL, such as workshops or presentations. Accessible research summaries are required and researchers will be provided with a template.
Past Research Projects
HPL has collaborated on numerous research projects that enhance public library services, community engagement and knowledge-sharing. These projects demonstrate our commitment to cultivating meaningful partnerships and supporting research that benefits HPL and the community.
Recent Projects:
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Aging in Place with Public Libraries: This project examined how public libraries can help older adults maintain their independence and quality of life within their communities.
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Social Work in Libraries: This research explored the integration of social work services within the Library to better support the diverse needs of Members.
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Promoting Digital Literacy Through Public Libraries: This project focused on developing programs to improve digital literacy among community Members, ensuring equitable access to technology and information.
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Hamilton Street Railway (HSR) and Hamilton Public Library PRESTO Card Pilot Evaluation: This evaluation assessed the effectiveness of a pilot program integrating public transit access with Library services to enhance community mobility.
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Hamilton Public Library Food Security Project: This initiative addressed food insecurity by leveraging Library resources and community partnerships to provide accessible food options to vulnerable populations.
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Emotional Labour in Libraries: Stressors in the Library Work Field: This study explored the emotional challenges faced by Library Staff and aimed to develop strategies to improve well-being in the workplace.
