Cold Weather Alert for the City of Hamilton

Cold Weather Alert for the City of Hamilton Monday January 19, 2026.

The temperature is expected to plummet below minus 15 Celsius. For warm place hours visit hpl.ca/hours

For a list of shelters and health information visit www.hamilton.ca/cold

Published:
Monday, January 19, 2026 - 4:00pm
Central Library – Digital Microfilm Machines

The digital microfilm machines at Central Library are not working. A single analog machine is available in the Local History and Archives Reading Room. This reader does not support printing. We apologize for the inconvenience and aim to have the digital devices repaired as soon as possible.

Published:
Monday, January 19, 2026 - 1:45pm
Online Resources - Update

The following eResources have been recently discontinued in our HPL collections: Novelist, Summa, Summa Kids, and Northstar Digital Literacy. Please visit www.hpl.ca/articles/read-watch-listen for our full listing of online resources for your next read, watch, listen and/or learn.

Published:
Wednesday, January 7, 2026 - 11:00am
Waterdown Branch Accessible Door Out of Order

The accessibility door at Waterdown Branch is not working. We aim to fix it quickly.

Published:
Tuesday, December 30, 2025 - 12:00pm
Printing Updates

Daily print balances for black and white and colour printing change January 2, 2026. The new daily print balance is 40 cents. Members receive four free black and white copies or two free colour copies. 

Large format and vinyl printing pricing also change on January 2. Visit https://www.hpl.ca/makerspaces for updates.

Published:
Monday, December 22, 2025 - 2:00pm
Replacement and Damage Fees

Bring back your borrowed library items within 28 days to avoid a replacement or lost fee. We'll remove the fee when you bring back your overdue items. 

Published:
Thursday, September 11, 2025 - 3:00pm

Accessibility Tools

Computer keyboard with accessibility symbolWould 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.