Bookmobile Service Modification

The Greencedar (295 Greencedar Drive, 4-5 pm) visit is cancelled today, Tuesday, October 28, due to vehicle maintenance. Regular service is expected to return next week. Thank you for your understanding.

All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Tuesday, October 28, 2025 - 1:00pm
Kenilworth Branch Reopening

The Kenilworth Branch has reopened today, Monday, October 27. Please note that there is limited parking, and noise disruptions may occur this week as the final touches are made to the renovations. Thank you for your understanding.

1
Published:
Monday, October 27, 2025 - 3:00pm
Central Library - Fourth Floor Closure

The 4th Floor is closed on Thursday, October 30 from 4-8pm for a special event. Makerspace and Newcomer Learning Centre will remain open. Floors 1-3 are available with study and work spaces. 

1
Affected Branch: Central Library
Published:
Monday, October 27, 2025 - 3:00pm
Delayed Branch Openings 

The following locations have upcoming delayed openings due to Staff training drills. 

Thursday, October 30
Parkdale Branch, 9:30am

Monday November 3
Saltfleet Branch, 9:30am 

Friday, November 7
Terryberry Branch, 10am

Monday, November 10 
Concession Branch, 10am

Thursday, November 13
Binbrook Branch, 10am

Friday, November 14
Valley Park Branch, 10am

You may visit nearby Branches for your library needs. www.hpl.ca/hours

All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Tuesday, October 7, 2025 - 2:00pm
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

The History of the Bookmobile

Archival photo of children entering the Hamilton Public Library Bookmobile circa 1960s
Archival photo of three women, including Chief Librarian Freda Waldon, leaning against the Hamilton Public Library Bookmobile, December 4, 1956
HPL staff, including Chief Librarian Freda Waldon, with the Travelling Branch on December 4, 1956
Archival photo of Mayor Lloyd D. Jackson and Freda Waldon, Chief Librarian standing next to the Bookmobile in 1961
Mayor Lloyd D. Jackson and Freda Waldon, Chief Librarian with the HPL Schools Branch on April 15, 1961

Our library on wheels is a very special and unique part of HPL’s public services, allowing us to go beyond the brick and mortar and connect with our many communities in the city of Hamilton.

The first time there was a mention of having a travelling branch for the Hamilton Public Library was in an article in Globe & Mail dated November 16, 1949. Then Chief Librarian Freda Waldon mentioned the idea of having a travelling branch whose chief function was to serve outlying areas beyond a one mile radius from existing library branches. It wasn’t until May 7, 1954 that talks of a possible bookmobile was discussed in city council.

Two years later, on December 20, 1956, the first bookmobile rolled onto the streets of Hamilton.

In a Hamilton Spectator article dated January 5, 1957, they talked about how the five stops of the Bookmobile were very popular among children, citing an example of one boy who went back five times, each time bringing someone with him and encouraging them to register for a library card. Another proof of the Bookmobile’s popularity was its February 1957 circulation exceeding that of the Main Library’s circulation.

Now, the Hamilton Public Library has two bookmobiles and services 12 neighbourhood stops and 25 senior residences. For 2014, the Bookmobile’s circulation was at around 123,000. Since October 1973, our bookmobiles have also offered movies in its collection.

The Bookmobile will continue to serve communities that do not have a library branch in their vicinity and provide materials for seniors who cannot travel far anymore. Our friendly staff will surely provide a personalized service and find the perfect material for you.

Find a Bookmobile stop near you!

Archival photo of children inside the Bookmobile circa 1950s

Children visiting the HPL Schools Branch circa 1950s