The Hamilton Public Library Board

_{Pictured Left to Right: HPL CEO Paul Takala, Kojo Damptey, Brie Berry, Councillor Ted McMeekin, Carly Whitmore, Nicolas van Velzen, Jennifer Horwath, Gagan Batra, Lynne Serviss
Absent: Councillor Cameron Kroetsch, Dayna Firth, Alison Griggs}

Cancellation Notice: The Board Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, January 15, has been cancelled. The HPL Board will resume its 2025 meeting schedule on Wednesday, February 19.

The Hamilton Public Library Board is made up of nine citizens and two City Councillors. The Library Board establishes library services for our community based on public input, market research and by monitoring satisfaction with services.

Members of the Hamilton Public Library Board 2023-2026:

• Gagan Batra
• Brie Berry
• Kojo Damptey
• Dayna Firth
• Alison Griggs
• Jennifer Horwath
• Lynne Serviss
• Nicolas van Velzen
• Carly Whitmore
• Councillor Cameron Kroetsch
• Councillor Ted McMeekin
   

Library Board By-Laws

The Hamilton Public Library Board is duly constituted as a corporation and governed by the provisions of the Public Libraries Act, Statutes of Ontario, 1990, Chapter P. 44 and is established by the provisions of City of Hamilton By-Law 04-019.  

How can I contact the Board?:

Contact with the Board may be made through the Chief Librarian's office. The Chief Librarian serves as Secretary of the Board and is responsible for Library operations. Members of the public wishing to make a verbal or written delegation to the Library Board should contact the Board Secretary in writing seven (7) days in advance of the meeting using the contact information below. Meeting attendees must follow HPL's Member and Service Commitment Policy. 

55 York Boulevard, Box 2700
Hamilton, ON  L8N 4E4
905.546.3214
hplceo@hpl.ca

Meetings:

Board meetings are typically held at 6pm on the third Wednesday of each month:

2025 Meeting dates: 

• January 15
• February 19
• March 19
• April 16
• May 21
•  June 18
• September 17
• October 22*
• November 19
• December 10*

How can I apply to become a Library Board member?:

Library Board members are appointed by Hamilton City Council for a four-year term and serve without remuneration. A notice to citizens will be placed in The Hamilton Spectator and Hamilton community newspapers announcing the recruitment period. Application forms are available at all Municipal Service Centres, Hamilton City Hall and on the City's website during the recruitment period. The next term for recruitment is in 2026. 

2023-2026 Board Orientation Materials

Board Orientation Governance Overview 

HPL Planning Framework

Board Orientation HPL & The Role of the Library