Staff Professional Development Day - All Branches Closed

All HPL Branches are closed on Friday, May 29, for Staff Professional Development Day. Bookmobile is off the road and Extended Access service is not available. Regular service hours resume on Saturday, May 30.

Visit our Virtual Branch at hpl.ca for our online resources and collections.

Published:
Thursday, May 14, 2026 - 12:00pm
Concession Branch - Filming in the Area

Please note that filming will take place nearby on the following dates.

May 18 – Filming Preparation (All Day)

May 19 – Filming (7am – 4pm), Concession Street (between Upper Wentworth and East 21st)

  • BIA Patio at 534 Concession will be temporarily removed on May 18 and reinstalled on May 20.
  • Traffic flow may be disrupted, and some parking spaces will be occupied by production vehicles and equipment.
Published:
Wednesday, May 13, 2026 - 8:00am
Greensville Branch Accessible Washroom Out of Order

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

Published:
Tuesday, May 12, 2026 - 10:15am
All Branches Closed - Sunday, May 17

All HPL Branches are closed on Sunday, May 17. Bookmobile is off the road. Extended Access service is not available.

Regular service hours resume on Tuesday, May 19. Visit hpl.ca for our Virtual Branch.

Published:
Monday, May 11, 2026 - 10:15am
All Branches Closed - Victoria Day, Monday, May 18

All HPL Branches are closed on Monday, May 18. Bookmobile is off the road. Extended Access and Study Hall services are not available. Regular service hours resume on Tuesday, May 19. 

Published:
Monday, May 11, 2026 - 10:15am
Bookmobile Service Modification

Due to Driver availability, Bookmobile has the following schedule modifications for the month of May. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Wednesday, May 13:               

  • Swansea - Cancelled
  • Helen Detwiler - Cancelled
  • Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum - Cancelled

Thursday, May 14:                

  • Rockton - Cancelled
  • Mohawk Gardens - Cancelled
  • Meadowlands - Cancelled

Monday, May 18: All Bookmobile sites closed

Published:
Monday, May 4, 2026 - 12:00pm
Software Maintenance - Victoria Day, Monday, May 18

Due to software maintenance, HPL library's catalogue, online services and library accounts will not be available between 8am and 7pm on Monday, May 18. Thank you for your patience.

Published:
Friday, April 24, 2026 - 9:00am
Central Library: Children's Area Renovation on 2nd Floor

Renovations are currently underway for the 2nd floor Central Children's Area. Programs are still being offered as scheduled and there is a temporary pop-up Children’s Area on the northeast side of the 2nd floor (near the Piano Room), including access to collections and train tables. Construction is expected to be completed by late Spring. Thank you for your patience during this time.

Published:
Monday, March 23, 2026 - 9:00am
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
Home > Accessibility Policy

Accessibility Policy

Policy Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that the Hamilton Public Library provides library services, resources and facilities in ways that are accessible to persons with disabilities. It provides a framework for compliance with the requirements of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act (ODA) and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and addresses specific areas required by the Integrated Accessibility Standards regulation associated with the AODA. This Policy applies to all persons who provide library services including employees, volunteers and all other persons that provide goods, services or facilities on behalf of the Library. 

Key Points Summary

  • The Hamilton Public Library is committed to providing Library services that are accessible to all persons who wish to obtain, use, and benefit from Library services. Library Services will be relevant, inclusive, and responsive to community needs. Each member of the community, including persons with disabilities, has an equal opportunity to use and/or to be employed by the Hamilton Public Library.
  • The Library will provide accessible customer service that respects the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities. The Library will strive to provide library services that meet the specific needs of persons with disabilities, and services that are convenient and accessible. 
  • The Hamilton Public Library will provide communication supports and accessible formats and it will incorporate accessibility design, criteria and features when procuring or acquiring goods, services or facilities, except where it is not practicable to do so. 
  • The Hamilton Public Library is committed to providing employment accommodation processes for library employees and job applicants. The Library will notify its employees and the public about the availability of accommodation for job applicants and for employees with disabilities. 
  • ​​​​​​​The Library will meet the accessibility needs of persons with disabilities in a timely manner. When communicating with a person with a disability, the Library will do so in a way that takes into account the person’s disability, as directed by that individual. 

Definitions

  • “Accessible formats” may include, but are not limited to, large print, recorded audio and electronic formats, braille and other formats usable by persons with disabilities. 
  • “Assistive devices” are any products, instruments, equipment or technological aids used by persons with disabilities to help prevent, compensate, relieve or neutralize a disability. They may include Braille recorders, recording devices, Bliss symbolics boards or devices, and more. 
  • A “barrier” is anything that prevents a person with a disability from fully participating in all aspects of society because of their disability, including a physical barrier, an architectural barrier, an information or communications barrier, an attitudinal barrier, a technological barrier, a policy or a practice. 
  • “Communication supports” may include, but are not limited to, captioning, alternative and augmentative communication supports, plain language, sign language and other supports that facilitate effective communications. 
  • "Disability" means:
    • any degree of physical disability, infirmity, malformation or disfigurement that is caused by bodily injury, birth defect or illness and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, includes diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, a brain injury, any degree of paralysis, amputation, lack of physical co-ordination, blindness or visual impediment, deafness or hearing impediment, muteness or speech impediment, or physical reliance on a guide dog or other animal or on a wheelchair or other remedial appliance or device, 
      • a condition of mental impairment or a developmental disability, 
      • ​​​​​​​a learning disability, or a dysfunction in one or more of the processes involved in understanding or using symbols or spoken language, 
      • a mental disorder, or 
      • an injury or disability for which benefits were claimed or received under the insurance plan established under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997. 
  • “Service animal” refers to an animal used by a person for reason relating to their disability. An animal is a service animal for a person with a disability if, 
    • The animal can be readily identified as one that is being used by the person for reasons relating to the person’s disability, as a result of visual indicators such as the vest or harness worn by the animal; or 
    • ​​​​​​​The person provides documentation from one of the following regulated health professionals confirming that the person requires the animal for reasons relating to the disability: \

      • A member of the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario; 

      • A member of the College of Chiropractors of Ontario; 

      • A member of the College of Nurses of Ontario; 

      • A member of the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario; 

      • A member of the College of Optometrists of Ontario; 

      • A member of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario; 

      • A member of the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario; 

      • A member of the College of Psychologists of Ontario; or 

      • A member of the College of Registered Psychotherapists and Registered Mental Health Therapists of Ontario. O. Reg. 165/16, s. 16 

  • A “support person” is another person who accompanies a person with a disability to help with communication, mobility, personal care or medical needs or with access to goods, services or facilities.

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