Terryberry Branch 1st Floor Accessible Washroom Out of Order

The 1st floor accessible washroom at Terryberry Branch is not working. We aim to get it fixed quickly.

Published:
Thursday, January 29, 2026 - 7:45pm
Bookmobile Stops Cancelled

Due to maintenance issues, the Millgrove visit (375 Concession 5 West) at 1-1:30 pm is cancelled today, Thursday, January 29. Service is expected to resume next week. Thank you for your understanding.

Published:
Thursday, January 29, 2026 - 12:15pm
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
Central Library - Fourth Floor Closure, Friday, January 30

The Fourth Floor is closed all day on Friday, January 30, for Hamilton's Black History Month Launch special event. Makerspace and Newcomer Learning Centre will remain open. Floors 1-3 are available for study and work. www.hpl.ca/central

Published:
Monday, January 26, 2026 - 12:45pm
Locke Branch - Filming Nearby

Filming will take place at 86 Homewood Avenue from January 28-30, 7 am-11 pm. Production vehicles and equipment will be located on the north side of Stanley Avenue between Locke Street South and Kent Street. This will impact the availability of side-street parking. Thank you for your patience.

Published:
Thursday, January 22, 2026 - 3:00pm
Central Library - Sunday Hours Paused

Effective Sunday, February 1, Sunday service hours at Central Library will be paused. 

Sunday Hours will continue at Dundas, Red Hill, Terryberry, Turner Park, Valley Park and Waterdown Branches from 1-5pm.

www.hpl.ca/hours 

Published:
Wednesday, January 21, 2026 - 11:00am
Central Library - Daily Hours Update

Starting Monday, February 2, Central Library's daily hours will move back to a 9 am opening instead of 8 am, Monday through Saturday. Please make note of this new service change for your next visit. www.hpl.ca/hours 

Published:
Wednesday, January 21, 2026 - 11:00am
Online Resources - Update

The following eResources have been recently discontinued in our HPL collections: Novelist, Summa, Summa Kids, and Northstar Digital Literacy. Please visit www.hpl.ca/articles/read-watch-listen for our full listing of online resources for your next read, watch, listen and/or learn.

Published:
Wednesday, January 7, 2026 - 11:00am
Printing Updates

Daily print balances for black and white and colour printing change January 2, 2026. The new daily print balance is 40 cents. Members receive four free black and white copies or two free colour copies. 

Large format and vinyl printing pricing also change on January 2. Visit https://www.hpl.ca/makerspaces for updates.

Published:
Monday, December 22, 2025 - 2:00pm
Replacement and Damage Fees

Bring back your borrowed library items within 28 days to avoid a replacement or lost fee. We'll remove the fee when you bring back your overdue items. 

Published:
Thursday, September 11, 2025 - 3:00pm

Security Camera Policy

Policy Purpose:

The Hamilton Public Library Board strives to maintain a safe and secure environment for members and staff while protecting individual rights to privacy. The Library recognizes the use of security cameras at Library facilities as part of the Library’s overall strategy to ensure the safety of persons and property. This policy will adhere to privacy requirements set out in the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. In addition, this policy has been developed to follow the guidelines set out by the Information and Privacy Commission of Ontario.  

Key Points Summary:

  • This Policy applies to all types of camera surveillance systems, surveillance monitors and camera recording devices that are used for security purposes at Library managed facilities. This policy does not address instances where library staff record a specific event (such as a program, or presentation). 

  • Security camera systems are a resource used by the Hamilton Public Library Board within the Board's jurisdiction to promote the safety of visitors, staff and community members. Where deployed for that purpose, these systems also help to protect library property against theft or vandalism and can assist in the identification of intruders and of persons breaking the law.  

  • In the event of a reported or observed incident, the review of recorded information may be used to assist in the investigation of the incident. The Library will maintain control of and responsibility for the security camera system at all times.  

  • Employees and service providers are expected to review and comply with this Policy, the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA), and other relevant statutes in performing any duties and functions that are related to the operation of the security camera program.  

  • The Chief Librarian will issue administrative procedures in support of this policy. 

Definitions:

Personal Information (taken from MFIPPA)- Recorded information about an identifiable individual, including, 

(a) information relating to the race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation or marital or family status of the individual, 

(b) information relating to the education or the medical, psychiatric, psychological, criminal or employment history of the individual or information relating to financial transactions in which the individual has been involved, 

(c) any identifying number, symbol or other particular assigned to the individual, 

(d) the address, telephone number, fingerprints or blood type of the individual, 

(e) the personal opinions or views of the individual except if they relate to another individual, 

(f) correspondence sent to an institution by the individual that is implicitly or explicitly of a private or confidential nature, and replies to that correspondence that would reveal the contents of the original correspondence, 

(g) the views or opinions of another individual about the individual, and 

(h) the individual’s name if it appears with other personal information relating to the individual or where the disclosure of the name would reveal other personal information about the individual. 

IPC – Information and Privacy Commission of Ontario.  IPC oversees compliance with the privacy protection provisions of MFIPPA and conducts investigations into privacy complaints.  IPC also provides guidance regarding Ontario’s access and privacy legislation. 

MFIPPA – Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.  The purpose of the Act is to provide a right of access to information under the control of institutions and to protect the privacy of individuals with respect to personal information about themselves held by institutions.