Concession Branch's children area is closed for renovations. Please use the temporary space. Public computers are also affected. There are currently three available. We aim to have the branch back in order as soon as possible.
Members visiting the Carlisle Branch may notice an unpleasant odour. We are working to identify the source and hope to resolve the issue as soon as possible.
The children's area at the Terryberry Branch is temporarily closed due to a facilities issue. We aim to reopen it as soon as possible.
HPL's WiFi, Catalogue and online resources will undergo network maintenance on Wednesday, November 12 from 5-8am. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Noise and limited parking continue at the Kenilworth Branch this week as renovations wrap up. Thank you for your understanding.
The following locations have upcoming delayed openings due to Staff training drills.
Monday, November 10
Concession Branch, 10am
Thursday, November 13
Binbrook Branch, 10am
Friday, November 14
Valley Park Branch, 10am
Monday, November 24
Mount Hope, 2pm
Thursday, November 27
Stoney Creek, 10am
You may visit nearby Branches for your library needs. www.hpl.ca/hours
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.
Children's Author Saumiya Balasubramaniam New Writer in Residence
HAMILTON, ON – Aug 27, 2025 — If the blank page in front of you is daunting or your story is stuck, Writer in Residence Saumiya Balasubramaniam is here to help.
As the 2025-26 Mabel Pugh Taylor Writer in Residence, Saumiya will provide insights and guidance to aspiring and established writers in person and virtually at McMaster University's Chester New Hall (Room 321) on Mondays 1-4pm and at Central Library Fridays 1:30-4:30pm, beginning September 12 to April 2026. The residency will also give Saumiya time to develop her works in progress.
You can meet Saumiya at a Welcome Reception on Thursday September 11 at 6:30pm at Central Library (55 York Blvd.).
Motherhood inspired the children's author to write When I Found Grandma, Two Drops of Brown in a Cloud of White and When I Visited Grandma. "My daughter grew up reading books with me, but as I read to her, I felt very strongly about the stories I wanted to tell," said Saumiya.
"We are happy to welcome Saumiya as our Writer in Residence and look forward to her engagement with the McMaster and Hamilton community," said Vivian Lewis, Associate Vice-President and University Librarian.
"Hamilton Public Library is proud to foster local writing talent through the annual program that provides wonderful opportunities for many writers," said HPL Manager of Adult Program Development, Erica Conly.
Writers of all levels and disciplines can reserve a consultation via Saumiya's booking webpage. She will host workshops and events at HPL throughout the year. Learn more at hpl.ca/writer-residence.
The Mabel Pugh Taylor Writer in Residence program, established in 1999, is a partnership with McMaster University's Department of English and Cultural Studies of the Faculty of Humanities, McMaster University Libraries and Hamilton Public Library. It is supported by the Taylor family.






