The Public Record | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site (https://thepublicrecord.ca/topics/hamilton-public-library/)
Physical visits to library branches reached 50 percent of pre-pandemic levels before the omicron wave of COVID, with total circulation, digital and physical, down 36 percent compared to pre-pandemic levels.
The Library is covering the card cost thanks to an anonymous $25,000 donation for youth initiatives.
“During the lockdown, people were observed in parking lots and beside buildings to catch WiFi bleeding from the library”, writes Hamilton Chief Librarian Paul Talaka in a report. “While HPL continues to work on improving internal WiFi, it’s become apparent that free outdoor WiFi is a high need as well”.
HPL prepares itself for the eventually that a controversial speaker will seek to rent space.
Renovation of TD bank branch into a library will include an outdoor reading patio and extended self-service access hours.
Chief Librarian says HPL is working to safely provide access to materials as the COVID situation improves. Library pivoted online in March, using its existing Pandemic Plan to guide their response.
Hamilton’s Chief Librarian says the Hamilton Public Library is interested in discussing a new library branch with West Harbour developers seeking to win right to buy Pier 8 lands from City.
The extended hours are Monday to Thursday: 9am-8pm, and Friday & Saturday: 9am-5pm.
Library Board votes to extend hours at five branches, and to study a plan to implement more service hours in the 2018 budget year.
New pilot will extend hours at rural Freelton Branch with no staff onsite staff, instead a remote librarian connected by video conference.