Parking lots, the main entrance and the exterior drop box are currently unavailable. Please use alternate entrances and parking as directed on-site.
All HPL Branches are closed on Sunday, August 31, and Labour Day, Monday, September 1st. Bookmobile is off the road, and Extended Access is not available. Regular service hours resume Tuesday, September 2. www.hpl.ca/hours
The Winona Bookmobile visit on Friday, August 22 (11am-Noon) is cancelled due to the Winona Peach Festival. It is expected to resume the following week. Thank you for your understanding.
Due to a mid-day fire drill, Turner Park Branch and Les Chater Family YMCA are closed for a fire drill from noon-1 pm. Thank you for your patience.
Due to roof repair maintenance, the Branch is temporarily closed from September 2 until October 10. Please visit Parkdale and Barton locations as your nearest branches for your library needs. Thank you for your understanding.
From August 18-19, accessible parking spots at the back of the building will not be available due to concrete and perimeter walkway repairs. From August 20-22, the main entrance from the back of the building will not be available. Please use the sidewalk on the side of the Branch to enter through the front entrance (off Rymal Road East) and gain access to the back parking lot. Thank you for your understanding.
Please note that the audio volume levels on our public computers are having issues. The estimated time of disruption is unknown at this time. Thank you for your patience.
The accessibility ramp at Mount Hope Branch is damaged. The handrail is not available. The ramp will not be available while being repaired. We aim to fix it quickly.
LGBT2SQ+ Community Archive
Updated May 1, 2025
Michael Johnstone fonds is the founding collection of the Hamilton 2SLGBTQ+ Community Archive at Hamilton Public Library (HPL).
HPL's Local History and Archives Staff are very familiar with this Archive; it is well organized and described. It is a large Archive with some restrictions for privacy; researchers are asked to schedule a research visit by phone or email.
You can find more information here: https://archives.hpl.ca/index.php/michael-johnstone-fond
Updated July 3, 2018
Hamilton Public Library is grateful to Michael Johnstone for his founding donation to our new LGBT2SQ+ Community Archive. Michael has lovingly captured more than 50 years of Hamilton’s LGBT2SQ+ history – serving as a self-appointed archivist for a segment of the population that has long been marginalized. The collection contains news clippings, photos, meeting minutes, newsletters and more.
The donation was accepted by our Chief Librarian Paul Takala, on Sunday June 17, 2018 during the Hamilton Pride celebration at Gage Park. It will be housed in our Local History & Archives department at Central Library, for the betterment of our fine City and its many rainbow residents.
Thank you very much, Michael.