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.
Bookmobile Stops Cancelled
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
Contest Rules
Power of the Pen Contest Rules:
Power of the Pen Contest Rules:
- Entrants must be between ages 12-18 and residents of Hamilton or a neighbouring city (a city that neighbours the borders of Hamilton municipal boundaries)
- Each entrant may submit one poem, short story or both in the English and French categories. Each entry requires a separate entry form.
- Short stories must be at most 2,500 words. Poems may be any length.
- Please type entries in Arial 12-point size, double-spaced. Please number all pages and submit as a word document
- Do not put your name anywhere on your work. Your name must be on the entry form only.
- All submissions must be original. If it is fanfiction, the work of inspiration must be named.
- The decision of the judges is final.
- Please email mnichols@hpl.ca to make arrangements to pick-up judged submissions.
- All entries are scanned to ensure originality. Each winning entry is scanned using plagiarism-identifying software. Plagiarized submissions will be disqualified.
- Please note, entries that do not meet format requirements will be disqualified.
Rules on Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use:
We recognize AI tools can be useful when revising writing. Contest participants are only allowed to use AI for technical assistance, such as correcting grammar or enhancing word choice. Using generative AI is not permitted to produce ideas, or create writing or art. On the contest entry form, you must acknowledge if, how, and when you used AI in your work.
