Due to online maintenance, Members can not access HPL's catalogue, online services and resources on Sunday, July 19 from 5am-10am. Thank you in advance for your understanding.
HPL Catalogue and Online Resources Not Available - Sunday, July 19
Published:
Monday, July 13, 2026 - 3:00pm
Cool Places - Heat Alert in Place
The Medical Officer of Health for the City of Hamilton has initiated a Heat Warning beginning today, Monday, July 13. Heat Warnings stay in effect until they are cancelled or escalated to an Extended Heat Warning. All HPL Library locations are Cool Places. Stay hydrated, Hamilton. www.hpl.ca/hours
Published:
Monday, July 13, 2026 - 9:30am
Bookmobile Service Modification
Bookmobile Service Modifications
Wed, July 15:
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Helen Detwiler Cancelled
Published:
Monday, July 13, 2026 - 8:00am
Express Items via OverDrive - Partner Libraries Update
As of July 1st, partner library Members can no longer borrow HPL Express items via Overdrive. More to Borrow partner libraries will be offering Lucky Express (Skip the line) titles to their cardholders only. This will help manage wait times for popular titles. Lucky Express is a collection of in demand titles with a seven-day loan period, available with no wait.
Our partners will still be able to borrow titles from the rest of our collection.
www.hpl.ca/more-to-borrow
Published:
Monday, July 6, 2026 - 10:00am
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
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
Hamilton Reads 2020 Finale a ‘Novel’ Look at Pandemic Life
HAMILTON, ON – Nov 20, 2020 – When Waubgeshig Rice’s dystopian novel, Moon of the Crusted Snow, launched in April as Hamilton Public Library’s 2020 Hamilton Reads title, life as we knew it changed drastically.
There are several parallels in the story with the current state of pandemic life. In Rice’s book, panic and unease ensue in communities far and near as people adjust and readjust to changing routines and habits. Maintaining order amid this chaos is a challenge. Compliance is tested at every effort to maintain control.
Rice had hoped his book would prompt discussion and encourage people to look at themselves, their communities and positive ways to move forward.
The timing seems right for renewed discussion about the ways we deal with life in a time of COVID-19, as we grapple with the second wave of the deadly virus.
Join Rice in an online, live presentation and discussion about his book and more on Saturday November 28 at 2pm at hpl.ca. He is joined by fellow authors, Cherie Dimaline and McMaster University/HPL Writer-in-eResidence, Janet Marie Rogers.
Rice is also available for media interviews. Please contact HPL’s Communications Manager, Shelley McKay to arrange a chat.
Facts and Figures:
- Moon of the Crusted Snow was chosen as the one book everyone in Hamilton should read in April 2020.
- It was checked out more than 1,822 times since it was launched.
- It was also HPL’s No. 1 borrowed eBook this year.
- It was discussed in more than a dozen online book clubs over the past eight months.
- More than 244 badges were earned by participants in HPL’s Hamilton Reads challenge.
- Hamilton Reads related programs and artist studio tours, were viewed on HPL’s YouTube channel 727 times.
