All branches close on Sunday, August 3, 2025 and August 4, 2025 for the Civic Holiday. This includes branches with Extended Access.
Heat Warning for the City of Hamilton.
Significant heat and humidity will arrive on July 27.
For information about heat-related illnesses, cool place locations and reducing your risk, visit hamilton.ca.
The following Bookmobile visits are modified on:
Tuesday, July 29
- Riverdale - Cancelled
- McMaster - Holds drop off only
- Greencedar - Rescheduled to 4:30-5:00pm
Wednesday, July 30
- Swansea and Helen Detwiler - Cancelled
Thursday, July 31
- Bennetto and Kinsmen - Cancelled
Friday, August 1
- Winona Park - Cancelled
The parking lot elevator at Terryberry Branch is not working. Members will need to use the accessible ramp at the Mohawk entrance and the inner elevator. We're working to get it fixed quickly.
Please note that the audio volume levels on our public computers are having issues. The estimated time of disruption is unknown at this time. Thank you for your patience.
The accessibility ramp at Mount Hope Branch is damaged. The handrail is not available. The ramp will not be available while being repaired. We aim to fix it quickly.
Central Library
Mon: Closed
Tue: 8:00 am-8:00 pm
8:00-9:00am- 1st Floor only.
Wed: 8:00 am-8:00 pm
8:00-9:00am- 1st Floor only.
Thu: 8:00 am-8:00 pm
8:00-9:00am- 1st Floor only.
Fri: 8:00 am-6:00 pm
8:00-9:00am- 1st Floor only.
Sat: 8:00 am-5:00 pm
8:00-9:00am- 1st Floor only.
289-779-7588 *HPL Main Line
*Between 8-9am, only the Library’s First Floor is open.
The first Hamilton Public Library building opened on September 16, 1890 by the Earl and Countess of Aberdeen on the north side of Main Street West. In 1913, a new main library opened. This building was replaced in 1980 by Central Library, at the current location on York Boulevard.
In 2010, Central Library re-opened after approximately 18 months of renovations. Central Library opened with a newly revitalized first floor, which includes a Community Living Room that takes advantage of natural light. The Ontario Library Association honoured Central in 2012 with an Architectural and Design Transformation award.
The Central Library also has a Seed Library provided in partnership with Green Venture. Visit the Central Library to select seeds, find information about gardening and HPL programs, and harvest seeds to replenish the Seed Library.
Central Library offers materials and programming for children, teens and adults. The Library also has dedicated spaces and program rooms for children, teens and adults.
Visit the Newcomer Learning Centre on the 4th Floor for English language learning resources, programs and services.
The Local History & Archives (LH&A) Department has been collecting and preserving Hamilton's history since 1914. LHA is located on the 3rd Floor.
Central Library is located at 55 York Blvd, Hamilton, ON L8R 3K1.
Directions From Toronto:
Exit at York Boulevard.
Follow York Boulevard past Bay Street and FirstOntario Centre.
Library is on the right-hand side.
From Niagara Falls:
Exit at York Boulevard.
Follow York Boulevard past Bay Street and FirstOntario Centre.
Library is on the right-hand side.
From Brantford:
Exit at Main Street East.
Follow Main Street to Bay Street.
Turn left onto Bay Street.
Follow Bay Street to York Boulevard and turn right past FirstOntario Centre
Library is on the right-hand side.
Parking
Public parking lots are located in the immediate vicinity.