Staff Professional Development Day - All Branches Closed

All HPL Branches are closed on Friday, May 29, for Staff Professional Development Day. 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
Concession Branch - Filming in the Area

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)

  • BIA Patio at 534 Concession will be temporarily removed on May 18 and reinstalled on May 20.
  • Traffic flow may be disrupted, and some parking spaces will be occupied by production vehicles and equipment.
Published:
Wednesday, May 13, 2026 - 8:00am
Greensville Branch Accessible Washroom Out of Order

The accessible washroom at Greensville Branch is not working. We aim to get it fixed quickly.

Published:
Tuesday, May 12, 2026 - 10:15am
All Branches Closed - Sunday, May 17

All HPL Branches are closed on Sunday, May 17. Bookmobile is off the road. Extended Access service is not available.

Regular service hours resume on Tuesday, May 19. Visit hpl.ca for our Virtual Branch.

Published:
Monday, May 11, 2026 - 10:15am
All Branches Closed - Victoria Day, Monday, May 18

All HPL Branches are closed on Monday, May 18. Bookmobile is off the road. Extended Access and Study Hall services are not available. Regular service hours resume on Tuesday, May 19. 

Published:
Monday, May 11, 2026 - 10:15am
Bookmobile Service Modification

Due to Driver availability, Bookmobile has the following schedule modifications for the month of May. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Wednesday, May 13:               

  • Swansea - Cancelled
  • Helen Detwiler - Cancelled
  • Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum - Cancelled

Thursday, May 14:                

  • Rockton - Cancelled
  • Mohawk Gardens - Cancelled
  • Meadowlands - Cancelled

Monday, May 18: All Bookmobile sites closed

Published:
Monday, May 4, 2026 - 12:00pm
Software Maintenance - Victoria Day, Monday, May 18

Due to software maintenance, HPL library's catalogue, online services and library accounts will not be available between 8am and 7pm on Monday, May 18. Thank you for your patience.

Published:
Friday, April 24, 2026 - 9:00am
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 during this time.

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