The Seasonal Affective Disorder therapy lamp on the 2nd floor at Central Library is out of order. The estimated time of disruption is unknown at this time. For more locations, please visit Light Therapy Lamps | HPL.
Central Library: SAD Therapy Lamp Out of Order
Published:
Monday, March 23, 2026 - 10:00am
Central Library: Children's Area Renovation on 2nd Floor, March 30-April 27
Starting March 30, renovations for the 2nd floor Central Children's Area will begin. Programs will still be offered as scheduled and there will be 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. Thank you for your patience during this time.
Published:
Monday, March 23, 2026 - 9:00am
Bookmobile Service Modifications
Due to driver availability, Bookmobile is off the road for the following. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Wednesday, March 26
Rockton 10:30-11:30am - Cancelled
Meadowlands 3:30-4pm - Cancelled
Bennetto 5-5:30pm (instead of 4-5:30pm)
Tuesday, March 31
Court at Rushdale - Reminder bi-weekly stop changed to 10:30-11am
Wednesday, April 1
Swansea 10:00-10:30am - CANCELLED
Helen Detwiler 11:00am-12:00pm - CANCELLED
Warplane Museum 3:00-4:00pm - CANCELLED
Friday, April 3 - Library Closed
All stops CANCELLED
Published:
Monday, March 16, 2026 - 10:15am
Central Library - New Library Card Check-in Process
Starting Monday, March 16, adults 18+ are required to show their Library card to access Central Library. This is a temporary measure to ensure safety for all. Thank you for your patience in advance.
Published:
Friday, March 13, 2026 - 5:45pm
Concession Branch Children's Area Reduced Service
A Children's area activity table, including the children's computers at Concession Branch are unavailable due to a facility issue. We aim to fix them as soon as possible.
Published:
Monday, March 9, 2026 - 11:30am
HPL Telephone Main Line Roll Back
HPL's original phone number is back in service. Please call 905-546-3200. The 289-779-7588 number, created due to the 2024 cybersecurity incident, is also working.
Published:
Friday, March 6, 2026 - 9:15am
Valley Park Community Centre Closure
From March 23 until April 12, Valley Park Community Centre will be closed for renovations, reopening April 13. Pool and changerooms will remain closed until early summer 2026.
Valley Park Branch will remain open during the renovations for your library needs.
Published:
Friday, February 27, 2026 - 11:00am
Concession Branch: Renovations
As of Monday, March 2, Concession Branch's Living Room and Makerspace areas are closed. (The next nearest Makerspaces are Sherwood and Terryberry Branches.) Seating may be limited at times. Renovations are expected to be completed in late Spring. Thank you for your patience.
Published:
Tuesday, February 10, 2026 - 1:00pm
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
Carlisle Branch Accessible Washroom Out of Order
The accessible washroom at Carlisle Branch is not working. We aim to get it fixed quickly.
Published:
Tuesday, January 27, 2026 - 12:30pm
Researchers at HPL
Hamilton Public Library is committed to supporting and collaborating on research that aligns with our mission to enhance community knowledge, inform public policy and improve Library services. Through partnerships with researchers, universities and other organizations, we aim to foster impactful and equitable research initiatives that benefit both the Library and the broader Hamilton community.
We welcome research proposals from academic and community-based researchers who are interested in working with HPL. Please review the How to Submit a Research Proposal below to learn more.
Research Partnership Opportunities
HPL partners with McMaster University's Community Research Platform (CRP) to align Hamilton-focused research opportunities with the Library's strategic priorities. The CRP only works with individuals affiliated with and conducting research at McMaster University.
If you are a McMaster-based researcher, you are required to follow the process outlined in the Research Partnership Guidelines listed below.
Please contact the CRP Program Manager to determine if your study is a fit for the Community Research Platform.
How to Submit a Research Proposal
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Review the HPL Research Guidelines – Before submitting a request, please read our Research Partnership Guidelines to understand our processes, expectations and focus areas.
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Complete the Research Request Form – All researchers external to McMaster University must fill out the HPL Research Request Form with details about your project, including objectives, required HPL involvement, ethical considerations and expected outcomes.
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Submit Your Proposal – Submit your completed form. Our team will review your proposal and assess its alignment with HPL’s strategic priorities and capacity.
Important Considerations
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Limited Capacity for Research Requests: Due to the high volume of research requests, HPL will contact you only if there is interest in participating in your research. The estimated timeline for this is up to four weeks.
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No Guarantee of Future Approvals: Approval of a past research proposal does not guarantee future approvals or ongoing research collaborations. Each submission is assessed independently, based on current priorities and the availability of resources.
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Ethical Compliance: All research involving human participants must receive approval from a recognized Research Ethics Board (REB) before the data collection commences.
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Public Knowledge Sharing: Whenever possible, we encourage researchers to share their findings through public engagement activities at HPL, such as workshops or presentations. Accessible research summaries are required and researchers will be provided with a template.
Past Research Projects
HPL has collaborated on numerous research projects that enhance public library services, community engagement and knowledge-sharing. These projects demonstrate our commitment to cultivating meaningful partnerships and supporting research that benefits HPL and the community.
Recent Projects:
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Aging in Place with Public Libraries: This project examined how public libraries can help older adults maintain their independence and quality of life within their communities.
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Social Work in Libraries: This research explored the integration of social work services within the Library to better support the diverse needs of Members.
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Promoting Digital Literacy Through Public Libraries: This project focused on developing programs to improve digital literacy among community Members, ensuring equitable access to technology and information.
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Hamilton Street Railway (HSR) and Hamilton Public Library PRESTO Card Pilot Evaluation: This evaluation assessed the effectiveness of a pilot program integrating public transit access with Library services to enhance community mobility.
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Hamilton Public Library Food Security Project: This initiative addressed food insecurity by leveraging Library resources and community partnerships to provide accessible food options to vulnerable populations.
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Emotional Labour in Libraries: Stressors in the Library Work Field: This study explored the emotional challenges faced by Library Staff and aimed to develop strategies to improve well-being in the workplace.
