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.
Please note that filming will take place nearby on the following dates.
May 18 – Filming Preparation (All Day)
May 19 – Filming (7am – 4pm), Concession Street (between Upper Wentworth and East 21st)
The accessible washroom at Greensville Branch is not working. We aim to get it fixed quickly.
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.
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.
Pilot Project Ends Saturday May 16
Hamilton Public Library’s Central Library welcomes thousands of people daily, including children, families, students, newcomers, job seekers and seniors who depend on the Library for learning, community and support.
During the winter of 2025–2026, Central Library experienced a significant increase in disruptive behaviour, illegal drug use and suspected overdoses within the building and the surrounding York Boulevard corridor. These challenges affected the Library’s ability to provide a safe and welcoming environment for all visitors.
In response, the Hamilton Public Library Board approved a temporary two-month Central Library Card Access Pilot Project beginning March 16, 2026. The pilot required adults (18 and older) to show a valid Hamilton Public Library card to access the main library spaces. Children and teens under 18 were exempt.
The pilot concluded on Saturday May 16. Regular operations and public access resumed on Tuesday May 19.
The pilot was introduced to test whether temporary access procedures could help reduce harmful incidents, improve safety and support more stable library operations during a period of heightened challenges related to the toxic drug crisis.
Hamilton Public Library gathered feedback from the public, community partners and other Hamilton organizations.
Participating organizations will be listed in a future report to the HPL Library Board.
Hamilton Public Library will review information collected during the pilot, including:
Operational data
Incident reports
Staff feedback
Community and partner feedback
Survey results
The findings will help determine the pilot project’s impact and effectiveness.
The results will be presented to the Hamilton Public Library Board at a public meeting at Central Library on June 18, 2026. The meeting will include an overview of the findings and provide an opportunity for community members to ask questions and share feedback.
Additional details about the meeting will be shared in advance.
The findings from the pilot project will help inform Hamilton Public Library’s future responses to the toxic drug crisis in downtown Hamilton and guide decisions on how the Library may address similar operational and safety challenges.
Dates
March 16 to May 16, 2026
Access Requirements During the Pilot
Adults (18+) were required to show a valid Hamilton Public Library card to access Central Library floors. Children and teens were exempt.
Parents and caregivers were required to present their own library card.
Access for Visitors Without a Library Card
Visitors without a library card could register for one free of charge. Staff and Community Connectors were available to assist individuals facing identification or access challenges.
Individuals who did not live, work or attend school in Hamilton could show identification to access the building.
Library Services Continued
Central Library remained open throughout the pilot and continued to provide access to collections, computers, study spaces, programs and other library services.
Hamilton Public Library staff, Community Connectors, Peer Support Workers, Security and the Leadership Team remained available throughout the building to support visitors, provide assistance and connect individuals to community services where appropriate.
