Welcome Back: HPL Announces Fresh Start for Everyone

HAMILTON, ON – July 14, 2020 – Hamilton Public Library (HPL) is waiving all fines and fees accumulated from March 15, 2020 to December 31, 2021 and permanently eliminating fines and fees on materials for children and teens.

This ensures library access without fear of fines and supports the community through the pandemic and the recovery period. The Library reopens with a fresh start for all Hamilton residents.

“Hamilton is built on innovation, resilience and compassion. The library is offering everyone in Hamilton – kids, teens and adults – a fresh start by resolving and waiving library fines until December 31, 2021. All youth material fines have been eliminated permanently. HPL is your library. Now, everyone can equally access the library. And those who can, are invited to pay-it-forward to help others,” says Paul Takala, Chief Librarian/CEO, Hamilton Public Library.

HPL is also launching a pay-it-forward donor fund to support kids’ literacy and learning in late summer. The fund increases access to quality learning resources, to better prepare Hamilton’s youth for tomorrow.

HPL’s Board passed this resolution at its June 17, 2020 meeting. The community and financial impacts of these changes over the next 18 months will be reported to the Board in Q4 2021. Learn more about Fines and Fees at hpl.ca.

Library members can check their accounts at hpl.ca. For assistance, call 905.546.3200, email AskHPL@hpl.ca or chat at hpl.ca.