Hamilton Public Library - Central Library

Great place. This is library with so many programs running through out the year. For adults, for youth and for kids. Books, CDs and most importantly the staff is so helpful. Large place, plenty of books and helping people make this place the best Library. Thank you for everything from this Library.

Wokest library I've ever been to, I won't go anymore. They have drag storytime, not safe for kids. No, they don't like kids, they just want to groom them. When you're in a group (full of woke white woman) they'll always make sure they point out racism that doesn't exist. This isn't a place for community, its a place of division. They never think that SOME OF US are multi-racial and don't need your defund the police woke speeches. Because you're lying, as long as you feel better with your white guilt. They're just a woke grooming factory. No they don't address these issues. They just ignore you. They're racist groomers.

I used the maker space, printed out some gears. Sent in a file for some vinyl prints. Malcolm is the best! Great people very helpful!

It’s a public library and, being downtown, it means that it does more than just provides books and a quiet place for the community. It means it provides temporary shelter from the elements and a place to charge a phone or access the internet to some people who don’t have that elsewhere. So, yes, the first floor isn’t very quiet—people can be loudly speaking on the phone even—but if that bothers you, the other floors are usually more quiet.
Collections are great. There’s natural light in plenty of places, and a variety of seating options. Wifi is reliable.
The librarians are all super nice and friendly, and the HPL network is very active, they have a bunch of events so don’t forget to check that out too.

The security will not do anything until someone complains about persecution and noise pollution.
In your opinion, how many out of ten people are willing to complain? And how many people leave the library without complaining? And they may prefer to never come to this library again.
I am giving 2 stars for the security's weak reaction against addicted people and those who are talking and laughing very loudly and they make the environment dirty, they play music loudly.
I think the security should be more strict to make the library a safe and quiet place for students and those who are going to study there.

Great space, lots of activities, professional and helping staff. Internet speed is up to 10Mbps. Access is free but if you want all features - you'll need a photo ID and Hamilton residency proof.

Nice modern and well stocked library with many community programs for all age groups. Also has an in depth archive of Hamilton history and an English language program

Huge beautiful space with a great selection of books, a rentable piano room, huge beautiful plants, cheap printing, and all kinds of community events. What a great library space.

Library's are changing and Hamilton Library's are no different. They have 3D printers, a green room to shoot videos, and a even a music recording studio (mind you it's small but pretty cool).

Yesterday I was greatly helped to print tag on my phone by kind, blond hair lady downstairs.
Not very unusual at this location which is my favourite place.
Thank you!

City of Hamilton have poorly equipped library and this location is One of the unfriendly places! Kids area should have friendly staff not mean and rude who is ready to lecture! My experience has been very bad and almost every single person I met there complained about same things and end up trying other locations or quitting and resort to other services. Other public library have friendly, nice, inviting and engaging staff who can joke and play and help kids. Someplace had tent, toys and building magnets.
Please staff member of this library visit other cities like Cambridge and see for yourself. If you can’t be friendly, then please stay home and don’t be near our children.
Sincerely,
Disappointed parent.
Ps at this location, some members - old lady- can yell at your children if they get excited- I’m talking 3-4 years old.

I visit often and it's a pretty good place to read and study. Wonderful staff. I usually have to move to a different area at least twice per visit because someone starts to watch a movie or listening to music on their tablets or phones. Sure wish the library had a headphone or earbud enforcement policy. Security is doing an amazing job, especially at the end of the month when the library is daycare for meth-heads. Only having two washrooms open has really helped to keep this problem to a minimum.

I love going to the Hamilton Public Library, central branch on York Blvd. It has a clean, bright and welcoming atmosphere with plenty variety of media to browse and/or borrow. The library is several storeys tall with I think 5 floors each one offering something different and worth visiting. One of the floors has a 3D printer which I've heard nothing but good things about as well as classes/workshops in other areas of the library and also a bookclub amongst plenty of other things I probably don't even know of yet. I still haven't explored fully the first 3 floors after coming to this library for 6 years. I plan to start coming frequently again like I used to before the pandemic now that it seems to be back to being fully operational, as far as I can tell anyway. My gripe about Hamilton's Public Library is basically the business hours that it's open for each day has never seemed to be long enough I feel like the public would benefit from having more abundant and open access to libraries. In an ideal world for me the library would be open 24/7 but then I might never leave! Also what I enjoy about the library is that it's gotten a lot better in terms of things I used to be exposed to within the library on a daily basis ie, violence, overdoses, those in complete drug psychosis behaving erratically and police having to come. I feel like events such as those have decreased by a lot since when i first began visiting circa 2016! Maybe better management looking over library? Or changed /improved attitudes and treatment of people who just need help by the staff and security? Better training of staff? Less stigma in the community in general since the pandemic as it seems almost everyone can relate to deep struggle in some form which changes how people view people, and how individuals view the world, and how the world views individual's.all in all what I'm essentially saying is the cental library is unfortunately located in a prime struggle zone in this city where you'll find a lot of people who struggle and you'll see struggle everywhere you look around here and for the library to be this bright clean positive ray of sunshine amongst such a dark doomed impoverished sickly broken wretched communit/ neighborhood surrounding it. Says it all right there. The library is the place to be, when everywhere else you go in life has you beyond stressed everywhere you turn. Visit the library! Every person is gauranteed to find something worth their visit and time no matter who you are or what you're into. It's not just books there!

Library offers so many services. Hours are good. Membership is free and one can borrow number of articles at the same time.

Best Library in Ontario. Supports the community in many ways - Free WiFi, computers, tax forms, ebooks, educational materials, programs and entertainment in a time when people need a lift. Very friendly and helpful staff. Large selection of new Movies and books. They have a great computer lab among other things. Great place to visit with the family.

It's location is a central town area accessible to many from all directions. Inside, expect to find a spacious & resourceful venue suitable for readers of all ages and moods. I liked the upper floors, which have a more silent atmosphere that best fit for a more focused attention. The internet services, the lighting, and the friendly approaches of the library staff are hilarious. I wish the library has more open hours, e.g, extending to Saturday evenings.