Due to the Touch-A-Truck event being cancelled, Bookmobile will be visiting its regularly scheduled Saturday sites instead (Stoney Creek Arena, Riverdale, and Discovery Centre). www.hpl.ca/bookmobile
Bookmobile Service Update
Published:
Thursday, May 21, 2026 - 2:30pm
Central Library - Fax Machine Out of Order
Please note that the fax machine is currently out of order. The estimated time of repair is unknown. Thank you for your patience.
Published:
Thursday, May 21, 2026 - 12:00pm
Turner Park - Study Hall Cancellation
Study Hall on Thursday, May 21, is cancelled due to plumbing maintenance. Study Hall will resume on Monday, May 25. Thank you for your patience.
Published:
Wednesday, May 20, 2026 - 12:00pm
Staff Professional Development Day - All Branches Closed
All HPL Branches are closed on Friday May 29, for Staff Professional Development. 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
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.
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
Black History Month
This February, celebrate Black History Month at Hamilton Public Library and explore the histories, contributions and achievements of Black communities in Hamilton and across Canada. Join us for free events featuring live music, author talks, workshops and community celebrations that highlight Black creativity, culture and knowledge.
Events
Live Music Throughout February
Enjoy live music at branches across the city as part of Black History Month. Performances take place at Central Library and neighbourhood branches, featuring a range of artists and styles.
Noon Hour Concerts at Central Library
Listen to live music every Friday at noon:
- February 6 – Sabian Crosswell Trio (bass, drums, piano)
- February 20 – Jackie Washington Day tribute concert with Harrison Kennedy and Jesse O’Brien
- February 27 – Big John and The Nite Trippers
Live Music at Branches
- February 9 – BLK ORCHID, multi-instrumentalist (Saltfleet Branch)
- February 13 – Dionne R. Grant piano, voice (Terryberry Branch)
- February 14 – Terry Rhodes, voice (Waterdown Branch)
- February 25 – Dionne R. Grant, keyboard, voice (Valley Park Branch)
- February 27 – Michaela Mathurin, voice (Concession Branch)
Author Talk: Antonio Michael Downing
Thursday February 19, 2026
6:30pm–7:30pm, Central Library
Join award-winning writer and broadcaster Antonio Michael Downing for a live reading and conversation about his debut novel Black Cherokee. Downing will be joined by editor and writer Alicia Cox Thomson for a discussion followed by audience questions. Borrow the book from the HPL catalogue and be part of the conversation.
African Knowledge in Action with Michelle Bonsu
Saturday February 28
1:00pm–3:00pm, Central Library
Explore African knowledge systems in this interactive, conversation-based workshop with Michelle Bonsu. Learn about the differences between African and Western ways of knowing and how African wisdom can be applied to everyday life. Michelle Bonsu is a Ghanaian cultural worker and the creator of Asase Ba, an educational platform celebrating African stories and knowledge.
See our complete list of Black History Month Events.
Books and Media
Celebrate Black voices all year through HPL’s collections of books, music, movies and educational activities.
Books for Adults
Film
We Are Hamilton – Black History Remembered
The 2026 honorees are Ona Allen (1925-2025), Hamilton's first Black nurse, who worked for nearly four decades at Hamilton General Hospital. Dr. Anthony MacFarlane (1937-2025) was a physician, scholar and champion of Caribbean history. Learn more about the 19 past honorees' impacts on the City of Hamilton’s Black History Month webpage. The Hamilton Black History Council, in partnership with Black-led organizations and the City of Hamilton, recognize Black Hamiltonians for their outstanding contributions.
