Barton Branch is closed Tuesday, July 7, 9am-3pm due to a scheduled water shutdown for City construction work in the area.
Barton Branch - Closed Due to Water Disruption
Published:
Friday, July 3, 2026 - 2:45pm
Heat Warning Notification for the City of Hamilton
Heat Warning for the City of Hamilton.
Significant heat and humidity will arrive on Tuesday June 30.
For information about heat-related illnesses, cool place locations and reducing your risk, visit hamilton.ca.
Published:
Tuesday, June 30, 2026 - 9:00am
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
Carlisle Branch Accessible Door Out of Order
The accessibility door at Carlisle Branch is not working. We aim to fix it quickly.
Published:
Thursday, June 25, 2026 - 2:45pm
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
Construction at Barton Branch
The entrance to the Barton Branch's parking lot off Milton Street is currently inaccessible due to construction. Please use the alley entrance off Fullerton Street.
Published:
Wednesday, June 17, 2026 - 9:15am
Phishing Scheme
Please be aware of online phishing attempts impersonating Hamilton Public Library and Library Staff. HPL does not solicit paid freelance opportunities through social media or other messaging applications. HPL does not request personal or banking information through social media or require financial compensation when reviewing job applications. Please report phishing schemes to communications@hpl.ca. If you think you are a victim of fraud, please call the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.
Published:
Wednesday, June 10, 2026 - 5:00am
Bookmobile Service Modification
Bookmobile Service Modifications
Fri Jul 3:
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Winona Cancelled
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Queen Victoria Cancelled
Mon Jul 6:
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Special Event - All Stops Cancelled
Published:
Friday, May 22, 2026 - 12:00pm
Read. Share Stories. Build Lifelong Literacy at Telling Tales.
HAMILTON, ON – August 14, 2025 – Hamilton Public Library (HPL) joins Telling Tales (TT) at its annual children’s literary festival on October 4 and 5 to celebrate the magic of storytelling.
Over two days and on five stages, more than 100 presenters converge at Royal Botanical Gardens' Hendrie Park, including children’s authors, illustrators, dancers, artists and musicians. Main Stage headliners include authors Tanya Tagaq on Saturday at 12:15pm and Matthew Forsyth on Sunday at 12:15pm. The Festival also features a book swap and shop, vendors, interactive walks and creative activities.
Hamilton Public Library staff will also be there each day, with 10-minute storytime presentations for all ages at 10:50, 1:10, 2:25 and 3:40. Featured books include Telling Tales Reading List highlights such as: The Bear Out There by Jess Hannigan; The Crayon Stub by Marcus Cutler; Hug by Charlene Chua and When the Air Sang by Laura Bontje.
Make the most of your literary adventure and plan your day using the full Festival schedule. Be sure to register to attend this free weekend event.
While you wait for the Festival, check out Telling Tales’ Reading List, or download the Book Bingo card and borrow the books from HPL. Book Bingo features fresh new Canadian releases and all Book Bingo books will be available for purchase at the Telling Tales Festival. As a bonus, readers can redeem their book bingo card for 10% off at local bookstores Epic Books and A Different Drummer Books. Visit HPL’s 23 branches and Bookmobiles any time of year for storytimes, crafts, science, author events and more. Details at hpl.ca/events.
“With books for babies to teens, our literary programming this year focuses on building foundational literacy skills while including more panels, workshops and activities that help develop critical thinking and dialogue skills,” says Executive Director Heather Kanabe. “This ensures we are with young people throughout their literacy journey.”
“Hamilton Public Library shares Telling Tales’ mission to encourage a love of reading, share the joy of stories and grow literacy skills throughout the year—every year—to reach important milestones,” says Katelyn Granger, Manager of Youth Services at HPL. “The benefits of getting a free library card at a young age are endless.”
To make it easier to get to the Festival, hop on a shuttle bus supported by First Student, in front of Central Library at 55 York Blvd, 10am-4:30pm. A bus departs every 15 minutes.
