Hamilton’s Chief Librarian Paul Takala is “hopeful” the Central Library branch will resume Sunday hours beginning in July.
“We are actively working on setting everything up so that we can open in July,” Takala stated in an interview. “We do recognize that it’s important we do that.”
Takala said the opening is dependent on the City and Hamilton Police ensuring safety along York Boulevard. He said the Hamilton Public Library (HPL) is implementing additional staffing and supports when Sunday hours resume.
“What we have less control over is what’s happening in the vicinity around us,” Takala said. “We’re going to continue to work and advocate with the City to make sure that it’s a welcoming environment when they come on Sundays.”
“We’re going to do everything we can to open,” he said.
The HPL implemented a sudden end to Sunday hours at the 55 York Blvd downtown location in February as drug use and distribution inside the branch reached crisis levels, and the growth of weekend encampments outside of the York Blvd entrance caused safety concerns for patrons and staff.
During a Library Board meeting on February 18, library officials detailed how the downtown facility had been overwhelmed by safety challenges and indoor drug use. HPL Facilities Director Chad Roglich stated that the Sunday closure at the Central branch was necessary due to the number of overdoses and situations that were occurring at the same time, noting there was not enough staff and support to manage the incidents.
At the time, Takala informed the board that people were distributing drugs inside the Central Library and that drugs were being dealt openly beside the children’s area. He said “the library needs to be a library.” The HPL even considered a temporary closure of the branch.
In response, the HPL implemented a two-month pilot requiring patrons entering the Central branch to show a valid library card to enter the facility. A report on the pilot, and decision on possible future entry requirements, will be debated at a special HPL Board meeting on June 18.
The tentative date for resumption of Sunday hours is July 5.
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Published: May 29, 2026
Last updated: May 29, 2026
Author: Joey Coleman
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