Bookmobile Service Update

Due to the Touch-A-Truck event being cancelled, Bookmobile will be visiting its regularly scheduled Saturday sites instead (Stoney Creek Arena, Riverdale, and Discovery Centre). www.hpl.ca/bookmobile

Published:
Thursday, May 21, 2026 - 2:30pm
Central Library - Fax Machine Out of Order

Please note that the fax machine is currently out of order. The estimated time of repair is unknown. Thank you for your patience.

Published:
Thursday, May 21, 2026 - 12:00pm
Turner Park - Study Hall Cancellation

Study Hall on Thursday, May 21, is cancelled due to plumbing maintenance. Study Hall will resume on Monday, May 25. Thank you for your patience.

Published:
Wednesday, May 20, 2026 - 12:00pm
Staff Professional Development Day - All Branches Closed

All HPL Branches are closed on Friday May 29, for Staff Professional Development. Bookmobile is off the road and Extended Access service is not available. Regular service hours resume on Saturday May 30.

Visit our Virtual Branch at hpl.ca for our online resources and collections.

Published:
Thursday, May 14, 2026 - 12:00pm
Central Library: Children's Area Renovation on 2nd Floor

Renovations are currently underway for the 2nd Floor Central Children's Area. Programs are still being offered as scheduled and there is 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. Construction is expected to be completed by late Spring. Thank you for your patience.

Published:
Monday, March 23, 2026 - 9:00am
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

Free Tax Return Filing Services

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

MOST TAX CLINICS ARE FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED. ARRIVE EARLY TO MAKE SURE YOU GET A SPOT IN LINE

Tax season is upon us. To help make the task of filing your return easier, trained volunteers from the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program offer free drop-in tax clinics for eligible individuals and families with modest income (see the chart below) at select Hamilton Public Library branches. Dundas Community Services will also offer a by-appointment tax clinic at the Dundas Branch on Saturday, March 28. 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 2026: 

  • 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