Early Closure - All HPL Branches, Friday, November 22
Due to a special event, all HPL branches will close at 4 pm on Friday, November 22.
Central Library's 4th Floor will be closed all day except for the Newcomer Learning Centre and Makerspace which will be open until 4 pm.
Regular service hours resume on Saturday, November 23.
Thank you for your understanding.
Delayed Branch Openings
Due to Staff training, the following branches have delayed openings of 10 am on:
Monday, November 18: Westdale
Tuesday, November 19: Concession
Wednesday, November 20: Ancaster and Mount Hope (2 pm opening)
Thursday, November 21: Valley Park
Please visit nearby branches for your library needs. www.hpl.ca/hours
Barton Branch Accessible Washroom Out of Order
The accessible washroom at Barton Branch is currently out of order. We are working to restore access. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Central Library - Newcomer Learning Centre, Temporary Closure
From Wednesday, November 13 to Friday, November 15, the Newcomer Learning Centre will be closed due to off-site Staff training. The Centre will reopen on Monday, November 18.
Kenilworth Branch - Roof Repairs
From November 11 to 29, the parking lot may not be available at certain times of the day due to repair maintenance. There may also be some noise disruptions in the branch. Thank you for your understanding.
Ending support for OverDrive's desktop apps and website MP3 downloads
On November 13, 2024, the MP3 audiobook format will be retired from HPL's OverDrive website and support for OverDrive's desktop apps for Windows and Mac (which only work with MP3 audiobooks) will not be available.
After this change, you can listen to audiobooks using the following options:
- In Libby (available for Android, iOS, or Amazon Fire devices or at libbyapp.com in a web browser)
- On HPL's OverDrive website using the Listen now in browser option
- In the OverDrive app (only available in select countries)
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.
JAWS is a computer program that reads aloud the contents of documents and web pages and speaks standard computer functions for someone who is visually impaired. Keystrokes are used instead of the mouse. It is available on the 2nd floor of Central Library and is also available at these branch locations: Red Hill. For further information, please call 905-546-3200 ext 3434.
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.