Digital microfilm readers are not available at Central library branch until further notice. We're working on a repair. In the meantime a single analog reader is available in the Local History and Archives Reading Room
Digital Microfilm Readers Are Currently Unavailable
Published:
Monday, May 25, 2026 - 12:00pm
SmartPay Service Not Available
HPL's online payment service is not working. We aim to restore it quickly. Apologies for the inconvenience.
Published:
Friday, May 22, 2026 - 2:15pm
Bookmobile Service Modification
Due to Driver availability, Bookmobile has the following schedule modifications for the month of June. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Bookmobile Service June Modifications
Tuesday, June 2:
- McMaster University - Cancelled
Friday, June 5:
- Winona - Cancelled
- Queen Victoria - Cancelled
Saturday, June 6:
- All Regular Sites are Cancelled due to a Special Event
Published:
Friday, May 22, 2026 - 12:00pm
Staff Professional Development Day - All Branches Closed
All HPL Branches are closed on Friday May 29, for Staff Professional Development. Bookmobile is off the road and Extended Access service is not available. Regular service hours resume on Saturday May 30.
Visit our Virtual Branch at hpl.ca for our online resources and collections.
Published:
Thursday, May 14, 2026 - 12:00pm
Central Library: Children's Area Renovation on 2nd Floor
Renovations are currently underway for the 2nd Floor Central Children's Area. Programs are still being offered as scheduled and there is a temporary pop-up Children’s Area on the northeast side of the 2nd Floor (near the Piano Room), including access to collections and train tables. Construction is expected to be completed by late Spring. Thank you for your patience.
Published:
Monday, March 23, 2026 - 9:00am
Sherwood Branch: Renovations
As of Monday, March 2, Sherwood Branch's 2nd Floor is closed due to renovations. Makerspace, Children and Teen's collection are temporarily available on the 1st Floor. All programs will be held in the basement program room. Renovations are expected to be completed in late Spring. Thank you for your patience.
Published:
Tuesday, February 10, 2026 - 1:00pm
Accessibility Tools
Would assistive technologies make your use of the library more rewarding? In addition to text enlargers at five branches, our computers are equipped with many accessibility features.
Library Accessibility Features
Do you need to know which accessibility features are available at your branch?
- Service animals and service animals in-training are welcome
- Wheelchair accessibility
- Automatic doors at entrances
- Elevators
- Hearing Loop
- Accessible Catalogue Only computers
- Accessible Checkout stations
- Computer workstations are wheelchair accessible
- Headphone accessibility for all Internet workstations
- Magnifying sheets and handheld magnifiers
Aroga Merlin Text Enlarger features brightly lit large screen with adjustable or stationary platform, custom text blocking, use of lines to assist with tracking of text, background colour change options. It is available at the following branches: Central, Red Hill and Dundas.
C-Pens: The C-Pen Reader is a small, compact pen-like device that scans text and reads it out loud. (Available at Central Library.)
Accessibility Software on Computers
All public computers have a desktop accessibility folder where you can access accessibility services, settings and programs available in Windows, including:
Magnifier: Magnifier is a program that magnifies a portion of your computer screen, making it easier to read.
Narrator: Narrator is a program that reads the text on your screen out loud.
On-Screen Keyboard: On-Screen Keyboard is a program that lets you use your mouse or other devices to interact with a keyboard on the screen.
This information is adapted from the Microsoft Windows website.
