Due to exterior pavement construction, the Study Hall (8pm-Midnight) on Thursday, April 16 is cancelled. Study Hall service resumes on Monday, April 20. Thank you for your understanding.
Please note that there is higher than usual noise levels and odors due to renovations taking place this week. Thank you in advance for your patience.
The accessible washroom on the 1st floor at Terryberry Branch is not working. We aim to get it fixed quickly.
Due to Staff training, Mount Hope Branch will have a delayed opening of 2 pm on Monday, May 4. You may visit Turner Park Branch as the next nearest location for your library needs. Thank you for your patience.
The Seasonal Affective Disorder therapy lamp on the 2nd floor at Central Library is out of order. The estimated time of disruption is unknown at this time. For more locations, please visit Light Therapy Lamps | HPL.
Starting March 30, renovations for the 2nd floor Central Children's Area will begin. Programs will still be offered as scheduled and there will be a temporary pop-up Children’s Area on the northeast side of the 2nd floor (near the Piano Room), including access to collections and train tables. Thank you for your patience during this time.
Due to driver availability, Bookmobile is off the road for the following. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Wednesday, April 15
- Swansea 10:00-10:30 am - Cancelled
- Helen Detwiler 11am-Noon - Cancelled
- Warplane Museum 3-4 pm - Cancelled
Thursday, April 16
- Rockton 10:30-11:30 am - Cancelled
- Mohawk Gardens 2:30-3 pm - Cancelled
- Meadowlands 3:30-4 pm - Cancelled
Tuesday, April 21
- Greencedar 5:30pm-6:30pm (instead of 4-5pm)
- Mountview 5:30-6:30 pm - Cancelled
Friday, April 24
- Winona 11 am-Noon - Cancelled
- Maplewood 2:30-4 pm - Cancelled
Tuesday, April 28
- McMaster 3:30-4:30 pm - Cancelled
Wednesday, April 29
- Swansea 10-10:30 am - Cancelled
- Helen Detwiler 11 am-Noon - Cancelled
- Warplane Museum 3-4 pm - Cancelled
Starting Monday, March 16, adults 18+ are required to show their Library card to access Central Library. This is a temporary measure to ensure safety for all. Thank you for your patience in advance.
From March 23 until April 12, Valley Park Community Centre will be closed for renovations, reopening April 13. Pool and changerooms will remain closed until early summer 2026.
Valley Park Branch will remain open during the renovations for your library needs.
As of Monday, March 2, Concession Branch's Living Room and Makerspace areas are closed. (The next nearest Makerspaces are Sherwood and Terryberry Branches.) Seating may be limited at times. Renovations are expected to be completed in late Spring. Thank you for your patience.
As of Monday, March 2, Sherwood Branch's 2nd floor is closed due to renovations. Makerspace, Children and Teen's collection are temporarily available on the 1st floor. All programs will be held in the basement program room. Renovations are expected to be completed in late Spring. Thank you for your patience.
The accessible washroom at Carlisle Branch is not working. We aim to get it fixed quickly.
Read. Share Stories. Build Lifelong Literacy at Telling Tales.
HAMILTON, ON – August 14, 2025 – Hamilton Public Library (HPL) joins Telling Tales (TT) at its annual children’s literary festival on October 4 and 5 to celebrate the magic of storytelling.
Over two days and on five stages, more than 100 presenters converge at Royal Botanical Gardens' Hendrie Park, including children’s authors, illustrators, dancers, artists and musicians. Main Stage headliners include authors Tanya Tagaq on Saturday at 12:15pm and Matthew Forsyth on Sunday at 12:15pm. The Festival also features a book swap and shop, vendors, interactive walks and creative activities.
Hamilton Public Library staff will also be there each day, with 10-minute storytime presentations for all ages at 10:50, 1:10, 2:25 and 3:40. Featured books include Telling Tales Reading List highlights such as: The Bear Out There by Jess Hannigan; The Crayon Stub by Marcus Cutler; Hug by Charlene Chua and When the Air Sang by Laura Bontje.
Make the most of your literary adventure and plan your day using the full Festival schedule. Be sure to register to attend this free weekend event.
While you wait for the Festival, check out Telling Tales’ Reading List, or download the Book Bingo card and borrow the books from HPL. Book Bingo features fresh new Canadian releases and all Book Bingo books will be available for purchase at the Telling Tales Festival. As a bonus, readers can redeem their book bingo card for 10% off at local bookstores Epic Books and A Different Drummer Books. Visit HPL’s 23 branches and Bookmobiles any time of year for storytimes, crafts, science, author events and more. Details at hpl.ca/events.
“With books for babies to teens, our literary programming this year focuses on building foundational literacy skills while including more panels, workshops and activities that help develop critical thinking and dialogue skills,” says Executive Director Heather Kanabe. “This ensures we are with young people throughout their literacy journey.”
“Hamilton Public Library shares Telling Tales’ mission to encourage a love of reading, share the joy of stories and grow literacy skills throughout the year—every year—to reach important milestones,” says Katelyn Granger, Manager of Youth Services at HPL. “The benefits of getting a free library card at a young age are endless.”
To make it easier to get to the Festival, hop on a shuttle bus supported by First Student, in front of Central Library at 55 York Blvd, 10am-4:30pm. A bus departs every 15 minutes.






