Cold Weather Alert for the City of Hamilton Monday January 19, 2026.
The temperature is expected to plummet below minus 15 Celsius. For warm place hours visit hpl.ca/hours.
For a list of shelters and health information visit www.hamilton.ca/cold.
Cold Weather Alert for the City of Hamilton
Published:
Monday, January 19, 2026 - 4:00pm
Central Library – Digital Microfilm Machines
The digital microfilm machines at Central Library are not working. A single analog machine is available in the Local History and Archives Reading Room. This reader does not support printing. We apologize for the inconvenience and aim to have the digital devices repaired as soon as possible.
Published:
Monday, January 19, 2026 - 1:45pm
Online Resources - Update
The following eResources have been recently discontinued in our HPL collections: Novelist, Summa, Summa Kids, and Northstar Digital Literacy. Please visit www.hpl.ca/articles/read-watch-listen for our full listing of online resources for your next read, watch, listen and/or learn.
Published:
Wednesday, January 7, 2026 - 11:00am
Waterdown Branch Accessible Door Out of Order
The accessibility door at Waterdown Branch is not working. We aim to fix it quickly.
Published:
Tuesday, December 30, 2025 - 12:00pm
Printing Updates
Daily print balances for black and white and colour printing change January 2, 2026. The new daily print balance is 40 cents. Members receive four free black and white copies or two free colour copies.
Large format and vinyl printing pricing also change on January 2. Visit https://www.hpl.ca/makerspaces for updates.
Published:
Monday, December 22, 2025 - 2:00pm
Replacement and Damage Fees
Bring back your borrowed library items within 28 days to avoid a replacement or lost fee. We'll remove the fee when you bring back your overdue items.
Published:
Thursday, September 11, 2025 - 3:00pm
Working With Us
This is a summary of the full Working With Us Policy.
HPL works with organizations that align with our core organizational values (Intellectual Freedom, Inclusiveness, Innovation, Respect and Accountability) and/or share common goals or objectives with HPL.
There are three (3) core reasons we engage in partnerships:
- Extend and enhance HPL services and program goals in sustainable ways.
- Support the city and broad-based initiatives that advance our economic, social and cultural richness.
- Enhance coordination and reduce overlap in effort between agencies.
Priority is given to organizations and initiatives that meet multiple partnership criteria:
- Align with HPL’s core organizational values (Intellectual Freedom, Inclusiveness, Innovation, Respect and Accountability) and/or shares common goals or objectives.
- Committed to mutual benefit and a reciprocal approach to levels of commitment.
- Demonstrated commitment to collaboration and shared planning.
- Demonstrated commitment to ongoing evaluation and continuous improvement.
- Demonstrated commitment to collective impact and long-term strategies.
- In some cases, partners that can provide an activity or service at multiple locations.
Priorities of Library Space Use
- Library managed or co-managed programs
- Co-managed programs are developed in advance; HPL and the partner organization collaborate on program planning and evaluation. - Free community learning programs from aligned partners
- HPL partners and City Councillors' free allocations
- Paid room and space rentals
Some examples of acceptable use of Library spaces including: partner-led learning programs with Library partnership, partner-led speaking programs with Library input, local committee meetings and group test proctoring.
HPL restricts illegal activity, discrimination, sales promotion, private social gatherings, religion-based activities, fundraising events and gambling in Library spaces.
Programs
HPL programs support learning, skill development, and creativity. They are free, inclusive, informational and maintain a respectful tone. Presentations are planned in alignment with system goals and objectives.
Read more about our program objectives. HPL prefers co-planned programs which challenge thinking and cover gaps in community needs. Topics include:
- Literacy for all
- Life-long learning journeys
- Digital inclusion
- Workforce development
- Community cohesion
- Empowers people to improve
- Access to arts, music and culture
- Civic engagement
- Information to community services
- Creative aging
- Inter-generational experiences
Next Steps
For partnerships and use of library spaces, contact us.
For programming suggestions, complete the Program Application Form.
