Due to the setup for the Noon Hour Concert, the Fourth Floor at Central Library will be closed on Friday, January 2. Makerspace and Newcomer Learning Centre will remain open. Floors 1-3 have spaces to work and study.
Central Library, Fourth Floor Closure: Friday, January 2
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Published:
Friday, December 19, 2025 - 5:00pm
All Branches Closed Sunday December 21
All branches close on Sunday, December 21, 2025. This includes branches with Extended Access.
All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Monday, December 15, 2025 - 11:00am
All Branches Closed for Christmas and Boxing Day
All branches close on December 25 and 26 for Christmas and Boxing Day. This includes branches with Extended Access.
All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Monday, December 15, 2025 - 11:00am
All Branches Closed Sunday December 28
All branches close on Sunday, December 28, 2025. This includes branches with Extended Access.
All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Monday, December 15, 2025 - 11:00am
All Branches Closed for New Years Day
All branches close on Thursday January 1 for New Years Day. This includes branches with Extended Access.
All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Monday, December 15, 2025 - 11:00am
Study Halls - Holiday Break
Branch Study Halls are paused Friday, December 19, 2025 through Monday, January 5, 2026. Central Library Study Hall hours resume Spring 2026.
www.hpl.ca/study-halls
All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Tuesday, December 9, 2025 - 9:15am
Telephone Service - Technical Issues
Please note that the 905-546-3200 main line is experiencing technical issues today, Monday, December 8. Members can still reach Staff at 289-779-7588 or by email or through chat online. We are working quickly to resolve the issue. Thank you for your patience.
All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Monday, December 8, 2025 - 7:30pm
Replacement and Damage Fees
Bring back your borrowed library items (due Oct 1 or later) within 28 days to avoid a replacement or lost fee. We'll remove the fee when you bring back your overdue items.
All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Thursday, September 11, 2025 - 3:00pm
Power of the Pen Creative Writing Contest
The 31st Power of the Pen writing competition invites writers ages 12-18 (age as of December 31, 2025) to submit original poetry and short stories in English, French or both languages. Prizes are for 1st- and 2nd-place in seven age groups (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18) in poetry and short story categories. Digital submissions are encouraged.
Categories:
Participants can enter poems and short stories in English and French:
- English - Please submit one poem, short story or both per person in the English category.
- French - Please submit one poem, short story or both in the French category.
Prizes:
A published writer, teacher or reviewer judges entries in each category for originality, style, general presentation, spelling and grammar. There are 1st and 2nd-place winners in the seven age categories (12-18) for poetry and short stories in English and French.
First and second-place entries qualify for the Hamilton Association for the Advancement of Literature, Science and Art Maitland Banting Silver Quill and Young Poet awards. The winner in each category receives $250.
*French entries are not included in the HAALSA prize selection.
First-prize winners in each age category receive $100 and 2nd prize winners receive $25. All award winners receive a certificate and a copy of the Power of the Pen publication.
How to Enter:
This year's competition opens May 5, 2025, and closes September 30, 2025. Submit your work via the official entry form. Notification goes out to winners in January 2026.
For more information, please email mnichols@hpl.ca.
Note to Teachers:
If you are submitting a short story or poem on behalf of a student, please ensure a completed official entry form accompanies each written submission.
