Barton Branch has no power. The branch is still open. Construction outside was the cause. Workers are coming on site to fix but no ETA.
Barton Branch Without Power
Published:
Thursday, July 16, 2026 - 6:15pm
Bookmobile Stops Cancelled
Due to poor air quality, Bookmobile will be cancelling all stops today, Thursday, July 16. Regular service is expected to return next week. Thank you for your understanding.
Published:
Thursday, July 16, 2026 - 8:00am
Air Quality Warning
An Orange Air Quality Warning has been initiated for the City of Hamilton by Environment and Climate Change Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks beginning July 15, 2026. This alert will remain in effect until a cancellation notice is issued.
Stay safe, Hamilton. www.hpl.ca/hours
Published:
Wednesday, July 15, 2026 - 2:00pm
HPL Catalogue and Online Resources Not Available - Sunday, July 19
Due to online maintenance, Members can not access HPL's catalogue, online services and resources on Sunday, July 19 from 5am-10am. Thank you in advance for your understanding.
Published:
Monday, July 13, 2026 - 3:00pm
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
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
Junior Librarian-in-eResidence
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.
Watch 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 Recipient
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.
