Printing is not working at Ancaster Branch. We aim to fix it as soon as possible.
Printing Unavailable at Ancaster Branch
Published:
Thursday, April 30, 2026 - 5:30pm
Sherwood Branch Accessible Washroom Out of Order
The accessible washroom at Sherwood Branch is not working. We aim to get it fixed quickly.
Published:
Thursday, April 30, 2026 - 3:45pm
Central Library: Non-Partner Survey
Starting Monday, April 27 until May 4, non-partner community organizations are encouraged to participate in a short survey. HPL would like to learn how the Library Card Access Pilot Project and the toxic drug crisis in general affect non-partner organizations. Please note that the survey is not anonymous. Start now at www.hpl.ca/non-partner-survey.
Published:
Monday, April 27, 2026 - 9:30am
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 9am and 7pm on Monday, May 18. Thank you for your patience.
Published:
Friday, April 24, 2026 - 9:00am
Central Library - Fire Drill, Tuesday, May 5, 11am
Due to Staff training, Central Library will close from 11am to Noon on Tuesday, May 5. You may visit Locke and Barton Branches as the next nearest locations for your library needs. Thank you for your patience.
Published:
Thursday, April 23, 2026 - 9:00am
Concession Branch - Renovations Underway
Renovations are expected to be completed by May 7. Construction repairs and noise may impact your next visit. Thank you for your understanding.
Published:
Monday, April 13, 2026 - 1:15pm
Mount Hope Branch - Delayed Opening, Monday, May 4
Due to Staff training, Mount Hope Branch will have a delayed opening of 2 pm on Monday, May 4. You may visit Turner Park Branch as the next nearest location for your library needs. Thank you for your patience.
Published:
Friday, March 27, 2026 - 8:00am
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
The Short Works Prize
Short Works Prize Call for Entries
The contest opens August 6 and closes October 27, 2024
Recognizing Excellence in Writing: The 10th Annual Short Works Prize for Hamilton-area writers. Presented with Hamilton Arts & Letters Magazine and the Hamilton Public Library.
The SWP Guidelines have changed this year.
Please read the guidelines carefully before you submit your entry.
Eligibility:
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Writers must live in the Hamilton Public Library service area. Writers who live in communities with reciprocal borrowing privileges at HPL are not eligible.
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Please use 12-point, Arial font and double-space all entries.
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Entries are not returned.
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Cost to enter: $0.
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Writers who received Honourable Mentions in 2023 may apply again in 2024.
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Writers who received a 2023 Short Works cash prize are not eligible to enter in 2024.
New Guidelines:
This year, SWP will recognize Unpublished works only. All entrants must submit a piece of writing that has NEVER been published before. Anyone may submit. Entrants may be professional writers; OR creative writers who have never had their work published before.
The awards program is open to Adults (21 and older) and Youth (16-20).
All entrants are invited to submit ONE piece of writing that has NEVER BEEN PUBLISHED BEFORE in ONE of the following categories:
- Poetry
- Fiction
- Creative Non-Fiction
‘Blind judging’: Your name must ONLY appear on your entry form, not on the work you submit. Jurors will read the works without knowing the names of the authors.
Adult Writers
- Writers aged 21 or older may submit ONE piece of writing that has not been published. A minimum of three $100 cash prizes will be awarded.
Young Writers
- Writers ages 16 to 20 at the time of entry may submit ONE piece of writing that has not been published. Up to eight cash prizes of $50 will be awarded.
Word Count
Entries may be a few lines, or a few pages. The maximum word count is 6,000 words.
All entrants will be notified of the results via email by Nov 25, 2024.
Submissions:
Enter online below. The deadline to submit is Oct 27, 2024, 11:59pm.
Questions? Email: HAL@HALmagazine.com
Hamilton Arts & Letters magazine
www.HALmagazine.com
