Ancestry.ca Is Currently Unavailable

HPL's access to Ancestry.ca is not working. We aim to restore the service soon. Thank you for your patience.

All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Tuesday, May 20, 2025 - 9:30am
Construction Work at Sherwood Branch

On Thursday, May 15, the library reopens with normal hours but with the following service limitations:

  • 1st Floor is closed to the public
  • Limited browsing collections of Express Adult Fic and Express DVDs are available on the 2nd Floor
  • Holds pickup is available on the 2nd Floor
  • Reduced number of public computers on 2nd Floor
  • Printing and copying available on 2nd Floor
  • Seating capacity is reduced
  • All 2nd Floor collections (teen, children, and graphic novels) are available 
  • Parking, washroom and elevator access are not affected

Please refer to hpl.ca/events for up-to-date program listings. Most programs will continue as normal on the 2nd Floor or in the basement. 

Published:
Thursday, May 15, 2025 - 2:30pm
All Branches Closed - May 30, Staff Professional Development

All HPL Branches are closed on Friday, May 30 for Staff Professional Development Day. Bookmobile is off the road and Extended Access service is not available. Our Virtual Branch is open at hpl.ca. Regular service hours resume Saturday, May 31. Thank you for your understanding.

All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Monday, May 12, 2025 - 8:00am
Bookmobile Service Cancellations

The Friday May 30 Bookmobile visits to Huntington Park, Winona and Maplewood Avenue are cancelled.

1
Affected Branch: Bookmobile
Nearest Branches: 
Published:
Friday, May 9, 2025 - 8:00am
Turner Park Branch - Roof Repair

Due to the ongoing roof repair project, noise and parking disruptions are expected to continue until the end of June. Thank you for your patience.

Published:
Monday, April 28, 2025 - 10:00am
Ancaster Branch - Temporary Closure, May 5-31

From Monday, May 5 to Saturday, May 31, the Ancaster Branch will be temporarily closed due to a roof and HVAC replacement. During this time, service hours will be available at the Ancaster Rotary Centre, 385 Jerseyville Road West, Ancaster. The last day to pick up your Holds is Thursday, May 1st. Thank you for your understanding.

www.hpl.ca/ancaster

1
Published:
Wednesday, April 16, 2025 - 11:00am
Central Library - Microfilm Machine

The digital microfilm machines at Central Library are not working. A single analog machine is available, but it doesn't print. We aim to have the digital devices repaired as soon as possible. We apologize for the inconvenience.

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Affected Branch: Central Library
Published:
Thursday, April 10, 2025 - 3:30pm
Phishing Scheme

Please be aware of online phishing attempts impersonating Hamilton Public Library and Library Staff. HPL does not solicit paid freelance opportunities through social media or other messaging applications. HPL does not request personal or banking information through social media or require financial compensation when reviewing job applications. Please report phishing schemes to communications@hpl.ca. If you think you are a victim of fraud, please call the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.

All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Thursday, April 3, 2025 - 10:30am

Hamilton Reads 2025

Header of Chrysalis for Hamilton Reads 2024

 

One Book. One Community.
The 2025 Hamilton Reads Title is
All You Can Kill By Pasha Malla 
 

 

Image of Anuja author of Chrysalis

Our narrator and his accidental companion, K. Sohail, inadvertently find themselves on an island wellness retreat impersonating a couple, the Dhaliwals, who have probably been killed in a helicopter crash. After being welcomed by Jerome the robot, the new Dhaliwals eagerly partake of the all-you-stomach buffet, the motivational speechifyings on Trunity by the berobed Brad Beard, and some erotic counselling by Professor Sayer.

But things quickly take an ominous turn when an excursion to a nearby deserted village reveals a guillotine and a haunted chapel. And then one of the retreaters is murdered and the real Dhaliwals show up. Accusations, counter-accusations, and counter-counter-accusations are made, until the whole retreat is caught up in a bizarre trial.

In All You Can Kill, Pasha Malla, with his inimitable absurdist style, collides horror and humour into an utterly unforgettable satire. (From Coach House Books).
 

Pasha Malla is the author of seven books. His writing has won or been listed for the Giller Prize, the Commonwealth Prize, the Dublin IMPAC, the Trillium Book Award, an Arthur Ellis Award, the Journey Prize, the Hamilton Book Award, and several National Magazine Awards. Pasha teaches in the creative writing program at York University and lives in Hamilton.

 

 

Place a hold on a physical copy or eBook of All You Can Kill. Place a hold on a copy or borrow an eBook or Audiobook, narrated by the author.

 

Discuss Icon

 

Participate in events such as an author-led workshop, discuss the novel in a book club and more throughout the year. Check back often as new events are added throughout the year.

 

 

 

Enter the Hamilton Reads Short Story contest. Write a fiction piece on a theme in All You Can Kill or any genre of the book: satire, humour, horror or absurdism. Deadline Oct 31, 2025.

Site Challenge

 

Take the challenge. Grab an All You Can Kill reading challenge bookmark at any HPL branch or Bookmobile, complete the tasks and earn a prize.


Literary Lowdown

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Past Hamilton Reads Titles

Rediscover past Hamilton Reads titles. 

Sponsors of Hamilton Reads 2025