Hamilton Public Library - Valley Park Branch

This library is beautiful and very convenient for me to visit as I live very close. Only recommendation I might make is if you're a student, or someone looking for a quiet place to study - this is not the library to visit. There are way too many young children running around & screaming. Even if you get a study room - noise travels.

I was so excited for valley park to open up after the renovations as I live around the corner and is more convenient for me to come here rather than drive to Turner Park Library. I'm a student that prefers to study in a quiet environment, so I come here every so often. But this branch is a serious let down due to its poorly planned lay out. Behind a faux wall that separates the "quiet study zone, " there's a children's play area. Everytime I have been here, doesn't matter what time, there is always screaming and crying children and the parents don't even have the decency to try and quiet them down. There's only three private study rooms, which still don't separate the noise much more.
If you're looking for a place to study, this location is not it. It's very unfortunate. I won't be coming back anymore, unless there are some lay out rearrangements.

Its a great location, wish they had a different space for the screaming kids or at least have available quite place for people who don't want to hear the screaming.

What a beautiful library upgrade: the librarian and clerks are wonderful. I just wish they would speak up when there are screaming children in the library (every day I go, there is someone constantly crying or babbling). Today, my visit on August 25th, I came in to study as early as possible, and one child in particular WOULD NOT STOP YELLING AND I COULD HEAR HIS MOTHER (the useless woman she is) barely attempt to hush him. Just FYI - the mother and her annoying brat could be heard yelling all the way across the library AND HER SON'S NAME IS BENNY and he would NOT stop making the same sound as if he was playing "driving a car". This kid did not have a disability of any kind, and was just a nuisance. I only know his name because his mother just BARELY told him to "pick out a book instead of a movie, Benny! ". He was not being parented, nor disciplined, and instead of reading with his mother (he sounded like a 5 year old), he was playing in the play centre area screaming for hours. Instead of being a good parent, the mother let him yell all day and he even bullied other children, making them cry! NOT ONCE did a librarian come over to ask them/him to be quiet, or ask the parents to BE PARENTS. BENNY and his mom interrupted the entire study section of the library, from like the morning ONWARD and made this was my worst visit yet. The study rooms are to be for groups, so I did not register for one, but my friend said he could hear children loudly yelling through the walls one time sitting in. Regardless, behind a door or not, people should be enforced to lower their tones, as this is a SMALL library!

If this happens again, I will actually go up to the mom and her brat and tell them to shush. You guys need to uphold the level of respect in these public libraries, otherwise the trashcans from the area will come in and continue to use it as they please. It is NOT a playzone, and besides, that should be a READING ZONE FOR CHILDREN, not a toy zone! Unbelievable!

Please, HPL staff, consider removing such major play toys to a closed room instead of the book areas. Children should be encouraged to read and imagine and learn new vocabulary, one on one, or with a quiet reading session - NOT a rowdy playset where they will fight, bicker, and be a nuisance.
RESPECT must be reintroduced into society overall, starting with the ignorant parents.
PLEASE! I do not want the public to ruin these services for everyone!

If you are planning to study here please DONT come. It’s a daycare not a library, They should have a quiet zone for studying but kids are everywhere. Plus very limited space for studying. Try the library on rymal rd. Much better

I frequently visit the library for studying purposes, and I particularly prefer utilizing the Private study rooms. However, I have encountered an issue that I believe requires attention and improvement. Whenever I inquire about the availability of the Study rooms, the staff informs me that none are currently accessible. Instead, they mention that one of the rooms will be free in approximately 30 to 40 minutes, which is generally acceptable and understandable. Consequently, I provide my name and decide to wait elsewhere in the library until the designated time arrives.

Regrettably, upon returning to inquire about the room, I am informed that it has been booked and is no longer available. This situation has occurred repeatedly, which leads me to question why the staff initially suggests that the study room is available when it truly is not. This miscommunication and subsequent waiting period without outcome can be quite frustrating. It leaves me feeling disappointed, as I could have utilized my time more effectively by studying in another library instead.

Love the environment. The Quiet Study area overlooking the Paramount Drive is my favourite place to study. Loved the Study Hall initiative for late night studying.

The library is nice and modern but there are always group of teenagers that have no respect for the environment there. Looks like the parents are so busy and they drop their kids in the library everyday and causing the library to be a zoo not actually a place for people to read or study. I hope the management understand that and this situation should be controlled.

If you want an actual quiet library then this is not it. I’m not sure why they would put a kids playground in the middle of a library where people come for quite to study, instead what you get is some kid screaming at the top of his lung 247. If you want an actual quiet place to study don’t bother. The place is nice and renovated but no point if it’s going to be so distracting and a playground for toddlers. Parents should have decency to not bring their screaming kids into a place made for peace and quiet.