Please note the following service changes.
Saturdays
Riverdale (150 Violet Drive): 11:15 am-12:15 pm (previously stopped on Tuesdays at 11 am-12 pm)
Discovery Centre (Pier 8, Seasonal): 2:30-4 pm (new time)
Bookmobile Service Modifications
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Bookmobile Stop:
Published:
Friday, January 9, 2026 - 10:00am
Terryberry Branch - Elevator Out of Order
The Branch is open today, Friday, January 9. Our elevator by the parking lot entrance is out of order.
To use our second elevator, enter through the Mohawk Road entrance (which features a ramp) and use the elevator located in the middle of the building. The estimated time of disruption is unknown. Thank you for your understanding.
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Published:
Friday, January 9, 2026 - 12:00am
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.
All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
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.
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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.
All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
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.
All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Thursday, September 11, 2025 - 3:00pm
Get a Library Card
Register Online
Get your Library Card online now or visit any HPL branch and fill out an application form (also available in French, Arabic, Chinese, Portuguese, Polish, Spanish, Italian, Ukrainian, Karen-Sgaw, Urdu, Hindi and Somali).
Use your Post-Secondary email address and a local Hamilton-area address when registering for an HPL eCard to qualify for this service.
Post-Secondary Students and Staff from the following can place holds, and pick-up at these locations:
- McMaster University- Mills Memorial Library
- Mohawk College- Cummings Library
- Redeemer University- Peter Turkstra Library
When registering at a branch, please bring identification and proof of your current address. Acceptable forms of identification are:
- A valid driver's licence (permanent or temporary)
- Ontario Photo card
- Two pieces of current identification (one should include your current address)
Library cards are free to anyone living, working or studying in Hamilton. With your Library card you can:
- Use it at any Library branch in Hamilton.
- Borrow books, CDs, movies, magazines, video games and more.
- Access online resources such as newspapers, articles and special databases (consumer reports, auto repair, genealogy research).
- Download eBooks, eAudiobooks, music, movies and magazines.
- Use Library computers and printers.
- Use digital media labs and Makerspaces.
- Access Hamilton's Civic Museums for free.
Types of Library cards:
Discovery Cards
- Full borrowing privileges for those who live, work, attend school or own property in Hamilton and have appropriate identification.
- Youth Discovery Cards: In keeping with the Library’s The Rights of Children and Teens in the Public Library Policy, there is no restriction on material borrowed by children. Parents and/or caregivers are responsible for the selection, use and safe return of borrowed materials , with the exception of films rated 'R' or '18A' by the Ontario Film Review Board; and games rated 'M' by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (age 18 and older).
- Discovery cards are also available to any person who has a Six Nations address in Ontario.
Inspire Cards
- For those with limited identification. Borrowing privileges for physical items are limited but you have full access to digital resources.
Non-Resident Cards
- Non-residents must pay a $100 annual fee.
- Cardholders must verify their address and phone number.
- Non-resident cards have the same privileges as Discover cards (HPL's standard resident Library card) to access collections and physical resources. Sorry, Extended Access is not included with the Non-resident card.
Reciprocal Borrowing Cards
Anyone with a Library card from the neighbouring municipalities listed below, can also borrow items from Hamilton Public Library. (Additional identification with your name and address is also required.)
- Burlington Public Library
- Cambridge Public Library
- County of Brant Library System
- Grimsby Public Library
- Haldimand Public Library
- Milton Public Library
- Region of Waterloo Library
- Waterloo Public Library
- Wellington County Public Library
Hamilton Public Library cards are free to anyone living, working or studying in Hamilton only.
Community Cards
Staff of Hamilton daycare centres, institutions, schools, corporations, businesses, government agencies, associations, charitable and non-profit organizations or group homes can apply for a Community Card.
A Community Card application requires the signature of an executive, administrator or any staff member who has received authorization from the organization to create a Community Card.
Service Fees
The Library collects fees for lost or damaged library materials, digital equipment or Interlibrary loans. Please see the Service Fees Policy for a list of other pay-per-use services. Items not returned within 28 days of the due date (on Oct 1 or later) will be charged a replacement fee until they are returned.
Lost Cards
If you lose your card, please call 905-546-3200.
Change of Contact Information or Address
If you need to change your address or contact information, visit any branch or call 905-546-3200.
