Barton Branch - Closed Due to Water Disruption

Barton Branch is closed Tuesday, July 7, 9am-3pm due to a scheduled water shutdown for City construction work in the area.

Published:
Friday, July 3, 2026 - 2:45pm
Heat Warning Notification for the City of Hamilton

Heat Warning for the City of Hamilton.

Significant heat and humidity will arrive on Tuesday June 30.

For information about heat-related illnesses, cool place locations and reducing your risk, visit hamilton.ca.

Published:
Tuesday, June 30, 2026 - 9:00am
What's Happening Guide Changes

The What's Happening Guide has been retired and replaced with different communications channels and tactics. You can find the new Summer Reading Flyer here. Watch for future communications updates.

Published:
Monday, June 29, 2026 - 3:00pm
Sunday Hours Return to Central Library

Sunday hours return to Central Library. Beginning July 5, Central is open Noon to 5pm. Dundas, Red Hill, Terryberry, Turner Park, Valley Park and Waterdown branches are also open Sundays, 1 to 5pm. hpl.ca/hours

Published:
Monday, June 29, 2026 - 1:00pm
Carlisle Branch Accessible Door Out of Order

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

Published:
Thursday, June 25, 2026 - 2:45pm
Study Halls Pause for Summer Break

After Hours Study Hall is not available in July and August. Hours will resume Tuesday, September 8. www.hpl.ca/study-halls

Published:
Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 3:00pm
Construction at Barton Branch

The entrance to the Barton Branch's parking lot off Milton Street is currently inaccessible due to construction. Please use the alley entrance off Fullerton Street. 

Published:
Wednesday, June 17, 2026 - 9:15am
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.

Published:
Wednesday, June 10, 2026 - 5:00am
Bookmobile Service Modification

Bookmobile Service Modifications 

Fri Jul 3:                    

  • Winona Cancelled

  • Queen Victoria Cancelled

Mon Jul 6:                 

  • Special Event - All Stops Cancelled

Published:
Friday, May 22, 2026 - 12:00pm

Hamilton Reads 2021 - Blaze Island

Blaze Island book cover logoMiranda lives on a small island in Newfoundland with her father Milan/Alan, a weather scientist living in hiding. When a stranger washes up on their doorstep during a Category 5 hurricane, her world is forever altered. A compelling retelling of Shakespeare's The Tempest, Blaze Island is a timely story about environmentalism and community.

“Riveting and morally complex, Blaze Island is a beautiful, kaleidoscopic work that offers a resounding reply to the question of how literature might wrestle with the deepest threat facing the planet, anthropogenic climate change. In the absence of saviours and easy consolation, what Bush has created is an allegory of hubris and humility and an exhilarating space in which to re-imagine multi-species relationships and stories.”

Kyo Maclear, author of Birds Art Life


Blue book iconPlace a hold on a physical book or an eBook or Audiobook.

 

Chat and discussion iconJoin a book club to discuss Blaze Island or The Tempest.

 

If you want more reading suggestions with similar themes to those found in our Hamilton Reads 2021 title, Blaze Island by Catherine Bush, watch these Reads We recommend videos in which HPL Staff provide a synopsis of each suggested read. You can also watch Hamilton reads-related events and presentations on the full Hamilton Reads 2021 playlist on YouTube

Recommendations and read-a-likes