On Wednesday, February 18, the Jackson Square Entrance's sliding doors are scheduled for repairs. Please use York Boulevard as an alternate entrance. Thank you for your patience.
Starting the week of February 9, renovation preparations are underway in anticipation of the March 2 start. Computer availability may be limited, and the Living Room space is closed. Renovations are expected to wrap up by late Spring. Thank you for your patience.
Renovation preparations are underway in anticipation of the March 2 start. Starting the week of February 23, the 2nd Floor will be closed. The Children's collection will be temporarily available on the 1st Floor. Renovations are expected to wrap up by late Spring. Thank you for your patience.
Starting Tuesday, February 10, the First Floor Living Room will be unavailable due to renovation preparations. Study and work spaces are available on Floors 2-3.
Please note the Noon Hour Concert on Friday, February 13, will be held at Terryberry Branch instead.
Thank you for your patience.
Please note the following Bookmobile visit updates.
Tuesday, February 17
McMaster University (3:30-4:30pm) - Cancelled
Thursday, February 19
Rockton (10:30am-11:30am) - Cancelled
Bennetto 5-5:30pm (instead of 4-5:30pm)
Wednesday, February 25
Swansea 10:00-10:30am - Cancelled
Helen Detwiler 11:00am-12:00pm - Cancelled
Warplane Museum 3:00-4:00pm - Cancelled
Friday, February 27
Winona 11:00am-12:00pm - Cancelled
Maplewood 2:30-4:00pm - Cancelled
The accessible washroom at Carlisle Branch is not working. We aim to get it fixed quickly.
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.
Learn English
The Newcomer Learning Centre is on the 4th Floor of Central Library.
It has books, CDs and DVDs for Learners and Tutors.
Anyone with a HPL card can borrow Newcomer Learning Centre materials.
To speak with Staff, call 905-540-7009 or email nlc@hpl.ca.
Newcomer Learning Centre Programs
All programs are for adults 18+.
Proof of Permanent Residency or a Protected Person status is requested in advance of participating in any Newcomer Learning Centre program.
Registration is required for all programs.
English Tutoring:
Practice English with a tutor in-person, online or both.
Meet twice a week for one to two hours.
Must have language benchmarks of 3 or higher in all language skills.
To join, complete the English Tutoring Request Form.
To volunteer with Newcomers to Canada, please complete our Volunteer English Tutor Application.
English for Seniors Online or In-Person:
Learn English with other seniors age 55 and older, in a small class.
Online classes are Mondays and Wednesdays, 9:30-10:30am.
In-person classes are Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30 to 11:00am.
Newcomer Book Club:
Chat about a book, learn new vocabulary and meet friends.
Human Library for Newcomers:
Learn about the life journeys of others in Canada and about Canadian culture through short conversations with a settled immigrant or long-time Canadian.
In-Person Conversation Circles:
Practise English in-person, in a group setting. Topics are tailored to the needs of students. Conversation Circles meet Thursdays 3:30-4:30pm.
Information Sessions:
Information sessions are hosted throughout the year. Themes include employment, credential evaluation, volunteering, employee/tenant rights and more. Ten sessions offered per year.
Visit Newcomers Events for more information.
Language Assessment and Settlement Services
English language assessment and settlement services are available at:
French language assessment is available at:
- Language Assessment Services - Peel Halton Dufferin - Achēv (achev.ca)
- Collège Boréal (collegeboreal.ca)
French Integration and Settlement Services are available at:
- Centre de santé communautaire Hamilton/Niagara: https://www.cschn.ca/services-aux-nouveaux-arrivants/
- Additional newcomer supports in Hamilton can be found through the Hamilton Immigration Partnership Council (HIPC) at: https://newcomersinhamilton.ca/
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