Central Library - New Library Card Check-in Process

Starting Monday, March 16, adults 18+ are required to show their Library card to access Central Library. This is a temporary measure to ensure safety for all. Thank you for your patience in advance.

Published:
Friday, March 13, 2026 - 5:45pm
Central Library - Fourth Floor Closure, March 18

The 4th Floor will be closed on Wednesday, March 18, 11:30 am-2:30 pm for a Magic Show. Makerspace and Newcomer Learning Centre will remain open. Study and work spaces, including Study Pods, are available on Floors 2-3. Thank you for your patience.

Published:
Thursday, March 12, 2026 - 8:00am
Central Library - Fourth Floor Closure, March 21

The 4th Floor will be closed on Saturday, March 21, 9 am-4 pm, for a March Break event, SciFUN Day. Makerspace and Newcomer Learning Centre will remain open. Study and work spaces, including Study Pods, are available on Floors 2-3. Thank you for your patience.

Published:
Thursday, March 12, 2026 - 8:00am
Concession Branch Children's Area Reduced Service

A Children's area activity table, including the children's computers at Concession Branch are unavailable due to a facility issue. We aim to fix them as soon as possible.

Published:
Monday, March 9, 2026 - 11:30am
Bookmobile Service Modifications

With the recent closure of Six Nations Public Library, HPL's Bookmobile will change its bi-weekly visits to weekly starting Friday, March 13.

Starting Tuesday, March 17, Court at Rushdale moves to bi-weekly on Tuesdays (10:30am-11am), instead of Fridays.

www.hpl.ca/bookmobile

Published:
Friday, March 6, 2026 - 1:45pm
HPL Telephone Main Line Roll Back

HPL's original phone number is back in service. Please call 905-546-3200. The 289-779-7588 number, created due to the 2024 cybersecurity incident, is also working.

Published:
Friday, March 6, 2026 - 9:15am
Valley Park Community Centre Closure

From March 23 until April 12, Valley Park Community Centre will be closed for renovations, reopening April 13. Pool and changerooms will remain closed until early summer 2026. 

Valley Park Branch will remain open during the renovations for your library needs.

www.hpl.ca/valley-park

Published:
Friday, February 27, 2026 - 11:00am
Concession Branch: Renovations

As of Monday, March 2, Concession Branch's Living Room and Makerspace areas are closed. (The next nearest Makerspaces are Sherwood and Terryberry Branches.) Seating may be limited at times. Renovations are expected to be completed in late Spring. Thank you for your patience.

Published:
Tuesday, February 10, 2026 - 1:00pm
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
Central Library - Living Room Renovation Preparation

Starting Tuesday February 10, the First Floor Living Room is closed due to renovation preparations. Study and work spaces are available on Floors 2-4. Thank you for your patience.

Published:
Friday, February 6, 2026 - 9:00am
Carlisle Branch Accessible Washroom Out of Order

The accessible washroom at Carlisle Branch is not working. We aim to get it fixed quickly.

Published:
Tuesday, January 27, 2026 - 12:30pm

Steel Town Love - A Festival for Romance Readers and Writers

Steeltown Love

Saturday July 12 
11am-4pm
Central Library  

Hamilton's first festival dedicated to romance novels and the people who love them. 

Join other romance book enthusiasts at Hamilton Public Library for a day of swoon-worthy events, including author talks, signings, workshops, a vendor market and more.  

Register for your all-day pass.

Festival Activities

Reader's Lounge at the Hamilton Farmer's Market
11am - 2pm
Farmer’s Market

Take a break between author panels, browsing and our Meet Cute Market to chill out in our reader's lounge. Head to the Hamilton Farmers' Market to relax, read romance stories, colour, make buttons and chat.

 

The Meet-Cute Market
11am – 3pm
1st Floor Living Room
A curated market for romance readers to shop to their heart's delight.

 

Green Screen Fun - Star in Your Own Romance Book Cover
11am – 3pm
4th Floor Makerspace

Be the star in your own romance book cover using our green screen technology.

 

Cricut Design Space
11am – 3pm
4th Floor Makerspace

Create romance-themed crafts using the Cricut.

 

Epic Books will be selling books at the event on the fourth floor.

Workshops and Author Talks  

Writing Workshop: Farah Heron, Tropes and Vibes to Story and Plot  
11am – Noon  
1st Floor Wentworth Room 

A short-fiction workshop by Farah Heron, author of romance novels Accidentally Engaged, Just Playing House and The Chai Factor. 
Registration Required   

Author Talk: Uzma Jalaluddin in conversation with Farah Heron  
1pm – 2pm 
4th Floor 

The romance authors take readers behind the curtain of the genre they love, to discuss tropes, identities, book boyfriends and cross-genre writing. 

Author Panel: Jackie Lau, Kate Robb and Ellie K. Wilde 
2pm – 3pm  
4th Floor 

A discussion about the rise of the romance genre, favourite tropes to write about and how living in the GTA influences their books. Moderated by Jenn Houser aka @burlingtonbiblio.  

Author Signings
3pm – 4pm 
4th Floor 

Mix and mingle with local romance authors, purchase a copy of their book, and get it autographed.

Warmup Events 

Whet your appetite with meetups and book clubs leading up to the big event.  

Explore Our Romance Novel Collection 

Find your next literary crush with HPL’s romance booklist.