The Medical Officer of Health for the City of Hamilton is issuing a Cold Weather Alert effective tonight, Friday, February 6. A Cold Weather Alert is issued when current or anticipated weather conditions are at or below minus 15 degrees Celsius or minus 20 with wind chill. This alert will remain in effect until a cancellation notice is issued. Please visit www.hamilton.ca/cold for locations and resources to stay warm and safe.
Cold Alert - Warming Places
Published:
Friday, February 6, 2026 - 2:45pm
Central Library - Living Room Renovation Preparation
Starting Tuesday, February 10, the First Floor Living Room will be unavailable due to renovation preparations. Study and work spaces are available on Floors 2-3.
Please note the Noon Hour Concert on Friday, February 13, will be held at Terryberry Branch instead.
Thank you for your patience.
Published:
Friday, February 6, 2026 - 9:00am
Central Library - Fourth Floor Closure
The Fourth Floor will be closed on Friday, February 6, starting at 2 pm for Seedy Saturday event setup. Makerspace and Newcomer Learning Centre will remain open. Floors 1-3 are available with study and work spaces. www.hpl.ca/central
Published:
Tuesday, February 3, 2026 - 3:00pm
Red Hill Branch Accessible Door Out of Order
The accessibility door at Red Hill Branch is not working. We aim to fix it quickly.
Published:
Tuesday, February 3, 2026 - 1:30pm
Bookmobile Service Modification
Please note the following Bookmobile visit updates.
Tuesday, February 10
McMaster University will be 3:30-4 pm (instead of 3:30-4:30 pm
Greencedar will be 5-5:30 pm (instead of 4-5 pm)
Mountview will be 6-6:30 pm (instead of 5:30-6:30 pm)
Published:
Monday, February 2, 2026 - 3:15pm
Mount Hope - Filming
On Monday, February 9, Homestead Drive will be closed from 7:30am-1:30pm (local traffic only) due to filming. From 1:30-7:30pm, there will be intermittent traffic control by Hamilton Police. The Branch will remain open. Thank you for your patience.
Published:
Friday, January 30, 2026 - 1:45pm
Carlisle Branch Accessible Washroom Out of Order
The accessible washroom at Carlisle Branch is not working. We aim to get it fixed quickly.
Published:
Tuesday, January 27, 2026 - 12:30pm
Central Library - Sunday Hours Paused
Effective Sunday, February 1, Sunday service hours at Central Library will be paused.
Sunday Hours will continue at Dundas, Red Hill, Terryberry, Turner Park, Valley Park and Waterdown Branches from 1-5pm.
Published:
Wednesday, January 21, 2026 - 11:00am
Central Library - Daily Hours Update
Starting Monday, February 2, Central Library's daily hours will move back to a 9 am opening instead of 8 am, Monday through Saturday. Please make note of this new service change for your next visit. www.hpl.ca/hours
Published:
Wednesday, January 21, 2026 - 11:00am
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.
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.
Published:
Thursday, September 11, 2025 - 3:00pm
Free PRESTO Card Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a free PRESTO card?
Children ages 6-12 with a valid library card can get a free PRESTO card at any Branch or Bookmobile to travel free on HSR, GO and Burlington Transit. Only one PRESTO card permitted per child’s library card. While quantities last.
What steps are involved to activate a card?
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Show your child’s library card to Staff at any Branch or Bookmobile or register for library card if you don’t have one.
Activate your new PRESTO card within 30 days. Bring proof of your child’s age (ex. birth certificate/passport) to one of the following locations: -
HSR Customer Service Centre, 36 Hunter St. East (GO Station)
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City Hall or Municipal Service Centres in Dundas, Ancaster, or Stoney Creek
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Any Shopper’s Drug Mart or Fortinos location in Hamilton.
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When your child’s PRESTO card is activated, they can travel free on the HSR, GO or Burlington Transit until age 13.
Do I need to load money on my child’s PRESTO card?
No. The card is FREE and travel is FREE for children ages 6-12.
What about kids under 5?
Children ages 0-5 always travel free on the HSR, GO and Burlington Transit.
How do I use the PRESTO card to travel?
When boarding the bus, tap the child’s PRESTO card on the PRESTO Fare Payment device.
What if my child loses the free PRESTO card?
This partnership provides one free PRESTO card to each child library card holder (until supplies last). Lost cards can’t be replaced with another free card. Additional card(s) must be purchased from a PRESTO vendor.
Can I laminate or hole-punch my card?
Please do not laminate your PRESTO card. It may cause it to melt or become damaged. Also, please do not puncture it or put a hole in it. It may disrupt the wiring inside the card, resulting in a damaged card that cannot be used. Ask Staff for special wallets that you can put your card in and attach it to a zipper pull or handle of a bag.
What happens when a child turns 13?
When your child turns 13, contact the HSR Customer Service Centre/City Hall or Municipal Centres to update the PRESTO card to a youth card. Youth fare must be loaded onto the card. Otherwise, the PRESTO card reverts to an adult card.
Can adults use these cards?
No. This program is limited to children ages 6-12. If adults don’t yet have a PRESTO card, they can pay the fare with the free PRESTO E-Tickets mobile app or pay with exact cash.
What if a child loses their free Hamilton Public Library card?
Parents/guardians can visit any HPL branch to replace the lost library card.
About PRESTO
PRESTO is an easy and safe fare payment system. It’s the cheapest way to travel on transit in Hamilton and across the region. Visit prestocard.ca or call 1-877-378-6123 to learn about PRESTO and to register for a child’s card.
Learn more about travelling on HSR with PRESTO
Call: 905-546-CITY (2489)
Email: hsrserve@hamilton.ca
Visit: hamilton.ca/prest
