Hamilton Public Library is planning a new branch at waterfront Discovery Centre

The Discovery Centre at Hamilton’s Pier 8 is one step closer to getting a major facelift courtesy of the Hamilton Public Library (HPL). 

The HPL is the City’s partner in defining a new vision for the Hamilton Waterfront Trust Centre (formerly the Canadian Discovery Centre Museum), and documents released ahead of an HPL board meeting on Wednesday, September 25th give a clearer map of that vision. 

The vision consists of five main components: a modern library branch with full services, an Indigenous-led gathering space, accessible community spaces for a welcoming setting, an exhibition space for cultural and creative experiences and exhibitions, and a new café. 

The HPL is guided by six main principles in their proposal: the site remaining a publicly accessible and owned space; retaining public access along the abutting waterfront promenade; finding a viable operating funding model; adopting an effective governance model; aligning with the objectives of the city’s Urban Indigenous Strategy; and fostering a vibrant, inclusive, sustainable community hub. 

Past and future public engagement initiatives have been gathering insights and feedback from locals that will play a role in shaping this proposal, with a target to begin construction in 2027 and beyond. 

The full proposal can be viewed on the HPL website. 

Lead image courtesy of Hamilton Public Library

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• cafe
• city
• community
• construction
• discovery centre
• Hamilton
• Hamilton Public Library
• HamOnt
• library
• Pier 8
• Proposal
• waterfront