Central Library - Fourth Floor Closure, Friday July 10

With the Steel Town Love special event taking place on Saturday, July 11, the Fourth Floor at Central Library will be closed for set-up all day on Friday, July 10. Makerspace and Newcomer Learning Centre will remain open.

The Fourth Floor will reopen its study spaces on Sunday, July 12, Noon-5 pm.

www.hpl.ca/central

Published:
Monday, July 6, 2026 - 4:00pm
Express Items via OverDrive - Partner Libraries Update

As of July 1st, partner library Members can no longer borrow HPL Express items via Overdrive. More to Borrow partner libraries will be offering Lucky Express (Skip the line) titles to their cardholders only. This will help manage wait times for popular titles. Lucky Express is a collection of in demand titles with a seven-day loan period, available with no wait. 

Our partners will still be able to borrow titles from the rest of our collection. 
www.hpl.ca/more-to-borrow

Published:
Monday, July 6, 2026 - 10:00am
What's Happening Guide Changes

The What's Happening Guide has been retired and replaced with different communications channels and tactics. You can find the new Summer Reading Flyer here. Watch for future communications updates.

Published:
Monday, June 29, 2026 - 3:00pm
Sunday Hours Return to Central Library

Sunday hours return to Central Library. Beginning July 5, Central is open Noon to 5pm. Dundas, Red Hill, Terryberry, Turner Park, Valley Park and Waterdown branches are also open Sundays, 1 to 5pm. hpl.ca/hours

Published:
Monday, June 29, 2026 - 1:00pm
Carlisle Branch Accessible Door Out of Order

The accessibility door at Carlisle Branch is not working. We aim to fix it quickly.

Published:
Thursday, June 25, 2026 - 2:45pm
Study Halls Pause for Summer Break

After Hours Study Hall is not available in July and August. Hours will resume Tuesday, September 8. www.hpl.ca/study-halls

Published:
Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 3:00pm
Construction at Barton Branch

The entrance to the Barton Branch's parking lot off Milton Street is currently inaccessible due to construction. Please use the alley entrance off Fullerton Street. 

Published:
Wednesday, June 17, 2026 - 9:15am
Phishing Scheme

Please be aware of online phishing attempts impersonating Hamilton Public Library and Library Staff. HPL does not solicit paid freelance opportunities through social media or other messaging applications. HPL does not request personal or banking information through social media or require financial compensation when reviewing job applications. Please report phishing schemes to communications@hpl.ca. If you think you are a victim of fraud, please call the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.

Published:
Wednesday, June 10, 2026 - 5:00am
Bookmobile Service Modification

Bookmobile Service Modifications 

Mon Jul 6:                 

  • Special Event - All Stops Cancelled

Wed, July 8:              

  • Helen Detwiler Cancelled

Thurs, July 9:

  • Rockton Cancelled

  • Millgrove Cancelled

  • Bennetto Cancelled

  • Kinsmen Cancelled

Published:
Friday, May 22, 2026 - 12:00pm

Junior Librarian-in-eResidence

Ainara Alleyne seated beside a pile of HPL books.

That's a wrap! Thanks to Ainara Alleyne, our first Junior Librarian in Residence for her time, energy and passion. Stay tuned for updates on how you can apply to be our next Junior Librarian in Residence. 


Hamilton Public Library welcomed our first Junior Librarian-in-eResidence, Ainara Alleyne from January 2021 to December 2021. She is a Grade 6 student who loves to read and recommend books that celebrate diversity and culture through characters and themes. 

Looking for school age reader recommendations? Complete the Which Book Next online form to receive Librarian approved print and/or digital materials. With over 67 hand-selected fiction and non-fiction titles, there’s a variety of books or eBooks for children and teens.

The achievements of Viola Desmond — the woman who appears on our $10 — is cause for celebration. Ainara explains why in this video. Learn more about Viola in this Discover at Home activity page.

CBC logoWatch CBC's The National recent interview with the avid reader, at HPL's Turner Park Branch.
Ainara discusses how her love of reading has evolved and shaped her reading choices.

Learn more about Ainara in a recent CBC News article.

2021 Just One Wish Kindness Award RecipientAnia, HPLs Junior Librarian in Residence holding her award

Congratulations to our 2021 Junior Librarian-in-eResidence, Ainara, who received a 2021 Just One Wish Kindness Award. The award recognizes Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board students age 4-18 who show kindness to themselves, peers, and the community.

Ainara, 12, is notable for creating Ainara’s Bookshelf on Instagram. Her mission: to find, read, recommend and celebrate books featuring diverse characters. Since January 2021 she has been doing the same as HPL’s Junior Librarian-in-eResidence.