Due to the setup for the Noon Hour Concert, the Fourth Floor at Central Library will be closed on Friday, January 2. Makerspace and Newcomer Learning Centre will remain open. Floors 1-3 have spaces to work and study.
All branches close on Sunday, December 21, 2025. This includes branches with Extended Access.
All branches close on December 25 and 26 for Christmas and Boxing Day. This includes branches with Extended Access.
All branches close on Sunday, December 28, 2025. This includes branches with Extended Access.
All branches close on Thursday January 1 for New Years Day. This includes branches with Extended Access.
Branch Study Halls are paused Friday, December 19, 2025 through Monday, January 5, 2026. Central Library Study Hall hours resume Spring 2026.
www.hpl.ca/study-halls
Please note that the 905-546-3200 main line is experiencing technical issues today, Monday, December 8. Members can still reach Staff at 289-779-7588 or by email or through chat online. We are working quickly to resolve the issue. Thank you for your patience.
Bring back your borrowed library items (due Oct 1 or later) within 28 days to avoid a replacement or lost fee. We'll remove the fee when you bring back your overdue items.
Steel Town Love - A Festival for Romance Readers and Writers
Saturday July 12
11am-4pm
Central Library
Hamilton's first festival dedicated to romance novels and the people who love them.
Join other romance book enthusiasts at Hamilton Public Library for a day of swoon-worthy events, including author talks, signings, workshops, a vendor market and more.
Register for your all-day pass.
Festival Activities
Reader's Lounge at the Hamilton Farmer's Market
11am - 2pm
Farmer’s Market
Take a break between author panels, browsing and our Meet Cute Market to chill out in our reader's lounge. Head to the Hamilton Farmers' Market to relax, read romance stories, colour, make buttons and chat.
The Meet-Cute Market
11am – 3pm
1st Floor Living Room
A curated market for romance readers to shop to their heart's delight.
Green Screen Fun - Star in Your Own Romance Book Cover
11am – 3pm
4th Floor Makerspace
Be the star in your own romance book cover using our green screen technology.
Cricut Design Space
11am – 3pm
4th Floor Makerspace
Create romance-themed crafts using the Cricut.
Epic Books will be selling books at the event on the fourth floor.
Workshops and Author Talks
Writing Workshop: Farah Heron, Tropes and Vibes to Story and Plot
11am – Noon
1st Floor Wentworth Room
A short-fiction workshop by Farah Heron, author of romance novels Accidentally Engaged, Just Playing House and The Chai Factor.
Registration Required
Author Talk: Uzma Jalaluddin in conversation with Farah Heron
1pm – 2pm
4th Floor
The romance authors take readers behind the curtain of the genre they love, to discuss tropes, identities, book boyfriends and cross-genre writing.
Author Panel: Jackie Lau, Kate Robb and Ellie K. Wilde
2pm – 3pm
4th Floor
A discussion about the rise of the romance genre, favourite tropes to write about and how living in the GTA influences their books. Moderated by Jenn Houser aka @burlingtonbiblio.
Author Signings
3pm – 4pm
4th Floor
Mix and mingle with local romance authors, purchase a copy of their book, and get it autographed.
Warmup Events
Whet your appetite with meetups and book clubs leading up to the big event.
Explore Our Romance Novel Collection
Find your next literary crush with HPL’s romance booklist.







