Study Halls Return September 2

Study Halls at Central Library and Dundas, Red Hill, Terryberry, Turner Park, Valley Park, and Waterdown branches resume on Tuesday, September 2. They will be open after-hours Mondays-Thursdays from 8 pm to Midnight. www.hpl.ca/study-halls 

All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Wednesday, August 27, 2025 - 2:15pm
Branch Closures - Labour Day

All HPL Branches are closed Sunday, August 30, and Labour Day, Monday, September 1st. Bookmobile is off the road, and Extended Access is not available. Regular service hours resume on Tuesday, September 2. www.hpl.ca/hours

All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Wednesday, August 27, 2025 - 2:00pm
Bookmobile Stop Modified

Due to campus events, McMaster University's Bookmobile Visits for Tuesdays, August 26 and September 2 (3:30-4:30 pm) have been cancelled. Service is expected to resume on Tuesday, September 9. Thank you for your understanding.

1
Affected Branch: Bookmobile
Nearest Branches: 
Bookmobile Stop: 
Published:
Tuesday, August 26, 2025 - 12:00pm
Carlisle Branch Accessible Door Out of Order

The accessibility door at Carlisle Branch is not working. We aim to fix it quickly.

1
Affected Branch: Carlisle Branch
Published:
Tuesday, August 26, 2025 - 10:15am
Turner Park - Rymal Road Entrance Unavailable

Due to continued concrete work, the Rymal Road entrance will be unavailable until Friday, August 30. Access to the parking lot, accessible parking spaces, back entrance, and external drop box is available. Thank you for your patience.

Published:
Wednesday, August 20, 2025 - 2:30pm
Labour Day Closure

All HPL Branches are closed on Sunday, August 31, and Labour Day, Monday, September 1st. Bookmobile is off the road, and Extended Access is not available. Regular service hours resume Tuesday, September 2. www.hpl.ca/hours

All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Tuesday, August 19, 2025 - 8:00am
Turner Park - Mid-Day Fire Drill, September 3

Due to a mid-day fire drill, Turner Park Branch and Les Chater Family YMCA are closed for a fire drill from noon-1 pm. Thank you for your patience.

Published:
Thursday, August 14, 2025 - 1:00pm
Kenilworth Branch - Temporary Closure (Sept 2 - Oct 10)

Due to roof repair maintenance, the Branch is temporarily closed from September 2 until October 10. Please visit the Red Hill, Parkdale, and Barton locations as your nearest branches for your library needs. On August 28-29, there may be some noise disruptions and limited parking spots while the roof repair set-up begins. Thank you for your patience.

1
Published:
Monday, August 11, 2025 - 8:00am

The Hamilton Public Library Board

The Library board with the CEO sitting in front of a small garden in front of a blue HPL wall.

Pictured Left to Right: HPL CEO Paul Takala, Kojo Damptey, Brie Berry, Councillor Ted McMeekin, Carly Whitmore, Nicolas van Velzen, Jennifer Horwath, Gagan Batra, Lynne Serviss
Absent: Councillor Cameron Kroetsch, Dayna Firth, Alison Griggs

Cancellation Notice: The Board Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, January 15, has been cancelled. The HPL Board will resume its 2025 meeting schedule on Wednesday, February 19.

The Hamilton Public Library Board is made up of nine citizens and two City Councillors. The Library Board establishes library services for our community based on public input, market research and by monitoring satisfaction with services.

Members of the Hamilton Public Library Board 2023-2026:

  • Gagan Batra
  • Brie Berry
  • Kojo Damptey
  • Dayna Firth
  • Alison Griggs
  • Jennifer Horwath
  • Lynne Serviss
  • Nicolas van Velzen
  • Carly Whitmore
  • Councillor Cameron Kroetsch
  • Councillor Ted McMeekin
     

Library Board By-Laws

The Hamilton Public Library Board is duly constituted as a corporation and governed by the provisions of the Public Libraries Act, Statutes of Ontario, 1990, Chapter P. 44 and is established by the provisions of City of Hamilton By-Law 04-019.  

How can I contact the Board?:

Contact with the Board may be made through the Chief Librarian's office. The Chief Librarian serves as Secretary of the Board and is responsible for Library operations. Members of the public wishing to make a verbal or written delegation to the Library Board should contact the Board Secretary in writing seven (7) days in advance of the meeting using the contact information below. Meeting attendees must follow HPL's Member and Service Commitment Policy

55 York Boulevard, Box 2700
Hamilton, ON  L8N 4E4
905.546.3214
hplceo@hpl.ca

Meetings:

Board meetings are typically held at 6pm on the third Wednesday of each month:

2025 Meeting dates: 

  • January 15
  • February 19
  • March 19
  • April 16
  • May 21
  •  June 18
  • September 17
  • October 22*
  • November 19
  • December 10*

How can I apply to become a Library Board member?:

Library Board members are appointed by Hamilton City Council for a four-year term and serve without remuneration. A notice to citizens will be placed in The Hamilton Spectator and Hamilton community newspapers announcing the recruitment period. Application forms are available at all Municipal Service Centres, Hamilton City Hall and on the City's website during the recruitment period. The next term for recruitment is in 2026. 

2023-2026 Board Orientation Materials

Board Orientation Governance Overview 

HPL Planning Framework

Board Orientation HPL & The Role of the Library