Digital Microfilm Readers Are Currently Unavailable

Digital microfilm readers are not available at Central library branch until further notice. We're working on a repair. In the meantime a single analog reader is available in the Local History and Archives Reading Room

Published:
Monday, May 25, 2026 - 12:00pm
SmartPay Service Not Available

HPL's online payment service is not working. We aim to restore it quickly. Apologies for the inconvenience.

Published:
Friday, May 22, 2026 - 2:15pm
Bookmobile Service Modification

Due to Driver availability, Bookmobile has the following schedule modifications for the month of June. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Bookmobile Service June Modifications 

Tuesday, June 2:                  

  • McMaster University - Cancelled

Friday, June 5:                    

  • Winona - Cancelled
  • Queen Victoria - Cancelled

Saturday, June 6:                 

  • All Regular Sites are Cancelled due to a Special Event
Published:
Friday, May 22, 2026 - 12:00pm
Staff Professional Development Day - All Branches Closed

All HPL Branches are closed on Friday May 29, for Staff Professional Development. Bookmobile is off the road and Extended Access service is not available. Regular service hours resume on Saturday May 30.

Visit our Virtual Branch at hpl.ca for our online resources and collections.

Published:
Thursday, May 14, 2026 - 12:00pm
Central Library: Children's Area Renovation on 2nd Floor

Renovations are currently underway for the 2nd Floor Central Children's Area. Programs are still being offered as scheduled and there is a temporary pop-up Children’s Area on the northeast side of the 2nd Floor (near the Piano Room), including access to collections and train tables. Construction is expected to be completed by late Spring. Thank you for your patience.

Published:
Monday, March 23, 2026 - 9:00am
Sherwood Branch: Renovations

As of Monday, March 2, Sherwood Branch's 2nd Floor is closed due to renovations. Makerspace, Children and Teen's collection are temporarily available on the 1st Floor. All programs will be held in the basement program room. Renovations are expected to be completed in late Spring. Thank you for your patience.

Published:
Tuesday, February 10, 2026 - 1:00pm

Book Donations

Rows on books on shelves at Central BranchThe Hamilton Public Library does not accept material donations. However, there are agencies, thrift stores, hospitals and care facilities that do. Those marked with an asterisk (*) can arrange for pick-up of materials.

Neighbour To Neighbour Centre
28 Athens St., Hamilton
905-574-1334

Paperbacks, hardcovers, recent magazines, CDs, DVDs, puzzles. Not accepting encyclopedias, dictionaries, textbooks, or VHS/cassette tapes.

Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy*
905-522-2928

Call to arrange for pickup of materials. Limit of 10 bags/boxes.

St. Vincent De Paul Society*
200 Parkdale Ave. N., Hamilton
905-549-3902

Call to arrange for pickup of materials. Accepts all books (especially children’s books), as well as DVDs.

Victoria Gardens Long Term Care Centre
176 Victoria Ave. N., Hamilton
905-527-9111

Accepts large print books and audiobooks only.

The Wellington Long-Term Care and Retirement Community
1430 Upper Wellington St., Hamilton
905-385-2111

Accepts large-print books and audio books only.

Wentworth Heights Retirement Community
1620 Upper Wentworth St., Hamilton
905-575-4735

Accepts large-print books.

Note: 

Call Hamilton Health Sciences sites at 905-521-2100 and ask for the Volunteer Resources Office to determine what is currently being accepted at a given location.