The main elevator at Terryberry Branch is not working. Members who need an elevator will have to enter through the Mohawk doors (which have a ramp) and use the elevator in the middle of the building instead of the elevator by the parking lot doors. We're working to get it fixed quickly.
Cardinal Newman High School is having a Fire Drill today, Thursday, January 8 at 12:05 pm. Saltfleet Branch will not be open to the public during the duration of the fire drill. Thank you for your patience.
Due to fumes in the elevator, Terryberry Branch is closed today, Thursday, January 8. Study Hall is also cancelled tonight. We apologize for the inconvenience.
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.
The accessibility door at Waterdown Branch is not working. We aim to fix it quickly.
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.
Bring back your borrowed library items (due Oct 1 or later) within 28 days to avoid a replacement or lost fee. We'll remove the fee when you bring back your overdue items.
Call for Judges: Power of the Pen
The 30th Annual Power of the Pen is Hamilton Public Library's long-standing competition for teens. Teens ages 12-18 from Hamilton and surrounding areas can submit poems and short stories (in English, French or both) to receive feedback from writing professionals. First and second-place entries qualify for the Hamilton Association for the Advancement of Literature, Science and Art's (HAALSA) Maitland Banting Silver Quill Award or Poetry Award.
As adults, past winners have used their writing skills to inform, inspire, entertain and persuade in careers as journalists, authors, artists, lawyers, politicians and teachers.
This year, we have the following Volunteer Judge opportunities available:
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Poetry and Short Story categories for ages 12-15: local English teachers and Children and Young Adult authors Canada-wide.
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Poetry and Short Story categories for ages 16-18: Children and Young Adult authors Canada-wide and local English teachers.
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French Poetry and Short Story categories for ages 12-18: Francophone writers and educators Canada-wide.
Volunteer Judges can expect to receive an electronic package of entries in November 2024 and have six weeks to review, provide brief feedback, choose a 1st- and 2nd- place winner and any (optional) Honourable Mentions.
In recruiting for this Volunteer team, HPL welcomes the unique contributions one brings in: education, opinions, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran's status, colour, religion, disability, sexual orientation and beliefs. Hamilton Public Library is an equal opportunity employer and strives to build balanced teams.
Learn more information about the annual writing competition:
https://teens.hpl.ca/articles/power-pen-creative-writing-contest
If you have any questions or are interested in a Volunteer Judge role or providing feedback, support, and encouragement to teen writers, please email mnichols@hpl.ca.






