Cold Alert - Warming Places

The Medical Officer of Health for the City of Hamilton is issuing a Cold Weather Alert effective tonight, Friday, February 6.  A Cold Weather Alert is issued when current or anticipated weather conditions are at or below minus 15 degrees Celsius or minus 20 with wind chill. This alert will remain in effect until a cancellation notice is issued. Please visit www.hamilton.ca/cold for locations and resources to stay warm and safe. 

Published:
Friday, February 6, 2026 - 2:45pm
Central Library - Living Room Renovation Preparation

Starting Tuesday, February 10, the First Floor Living Room will be unavailable due to renovation preparations. Study and work spaces are available on Floors 2-3. 

Please note the Noon Hour Concert on Friday, February 13, will be held at Terryberry Branch instead. 

Thank you for your patience.

Published:
Friday, February 6, 2026 - 9:00am
Central Library - Fourth Floor Closure

The Fourth Floor will be closed on Friday, February 6, starting at 2 pm for Seedy Saturday event setup. Makerspace and Newcomer Learning Centre will remain open. Floors 1-3 are available with study and work spaces. www.hpl.ca/central

Published:
Tuesday, February 3, 2026 - 3:00pm
Red Hill Branch Accessible Door Out of Order

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

Published:
Tuesday, February 3, 2026 - 1:30pm
Bookmobile Service Modification

Please note the following Bookmobile visit updates.

Tuesday, February 10
McMaster University will be 3:30-4 pm (instead of 3:30-4:30 pm
Greencedar will be 5-5:30 pm (instead of 4-5 pm)
Mountview will be 6-6:30 pm (instead of 5:30-6:30 pm)

Published:
Monday, February 2, 2026 - 3:15pm
Mount Hope - Filming 

On Monday, February 9, Homestead Drive will be closed from 7:30am-1:30pm (local traffic only) due to filming. From 1:30-7:30pm, there will be intermittent traffic control by Hamilton Police. The Branch will remain open. Thank you for your patience.

Published:
Friday, January 30, 2026 - 1:45pm
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
Central Library - Sunday Hours Paused

Effective Sunday, February 1, Sunday service hours at Central Library will be paused. 

Sunday Hours will continue at Dundas, Red Hill, Terryberry, Turner Park, Valley Park and Waterdown Branches from 1-5pm.

www.hpl.ca/hours 

Published:
Wednesday, January 21, 2026 - 11:00am
Central Library - Daily Hours Update

Starting Monday, February 2, Central Library's daily hours will move back to a 9 am opening instead of 8 am, Monday through Saturday. Please make note of this new service change for your next visit. www.hpl.ca/hours 

Published:
Wednesday, January 21, 2026 - 11:00am
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.

Published:
Monday, December 22, 2025 - 2:00pm
Replacement and Damage Fees

Bring back your borrowed library items within 28 days to avoid a replacement or lost fee. We'll remove the fee when you bring back your overdue items. 

Published:
Thursday, September 11, 2025 - 3:00pm

Free Tax Return Filing Services

Hand holding cell phone using the calculator application, partner logos in the lower right corner

Tax season is upon us. To help make the task of filing your return easier, trained volunteers from the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program and Dundas Community Services offer free drop-in and by-appointment tax clinics for eligible individuals and families with modest income (see the chart below) at select Hamilton Public Library branches. Clinics run in March and April to meet the April 30 filing deadline.

This year all clinics are in person. There is no drop-off service.  

Important: Canada Housing Benefit 

Canada Housing Benefits are not administered through the tax return filing process. Information on various housing benefits, depending on your specific situation is contained on the City of Hamilton Website. Phone numbers are provided for inquiries.

Visit canada.ca to apply through your Canada Revenue Agency account or apply online or by phone.  

Tax Document Checklist 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Modest Income Explained 

Family Size 

1 Person 
2 People 
3 People 
4 People 
5 People 
More Than 5 People 

Total Family Income 

$40,000 
$55,000 
$60,500 
$65,000 
$70,500 
$70,000+$5,000 per each additional person   

These free tax services are not for individuals who are/have: 

  • Self-employed 
  • Business or rental income and expenses 
  • Capital gains or losses 
  • Employment expenses 
  • Interest income greater than $1,000 
  • Filed for bankruptcy or are deceased 

This free tax filing service is a partnership with Hamilton Public Library, CPA Ontario, Community Volunteer Income Tax Program, McMaster University and Canada Revenue Agency. 

Drop-In Dates: 

  • Central - Saturday, March 7, 10am-4pm

  • Barton - Saturday, March 14, 10am-4pm

  • Terryberry - Saturday, March 21, 10am-4pm

  • Terryberry - Saturday, March 28, 10am-4pm

  • Dundas - Saturday, March 28, 10am-4pm - BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

  • Red Hill - Saturday, April 11, 10am-4pm

  • Barton - Saturday, April 18, 10am-4pm

  • Barton - Saturday, April 25, 10am-4pm

  • Central - Saturday, May 2, 10am-4pm