Service Fees

All prices are subject to applicable taxes. 

For full Service Fees information, see the Service Fees Policy.

Room and Rentable Spaces Rental Fees

Central Library

Members are required to use Library-supplied materials for print and Makerspace services to reduce damage to equipment. Exceptions are allowed for some items, such as fabric for embroidery and vinyl/veneer, and paper for Cricut.

New Makerspace and digital services are occasionally added. Where possible, fees for new additions will be consistent with older rates in this Procedure and must cover Library costs.

Local History and Archives Service Fees

Reproduction Requests

• Non-Commercial Use - $25/item
• Commercial Use - $45/item

For image reproduction requests, up to 600 dpi JPEG files are normally provided. Up to 1200 dpi TIFF is available upon request.

File formats, compression, etc., may vary depending on the document and media type selected, especially for moving visual media or large documents (maps, posters, etc.).

The recipient must determine and satisfy copyright or other use restrictions (such as donor restrictions, privacy rights, publicity rights, licensing and trademarks) when using, publishing or otherwise distributing materials received from Hamilton Public Library. Additional licensing fees may apply as determined by the copyright or intellectual property owner.

Replacement Fees on Borrowed Items 

Items not returned within 28 days of the due date (on Oct 1 or later) will be charged a replacement fee until they are returned. Chart of various fees below .

Members are responsible for paying fees to cover the cost of loss or damage of:

• Makerspace equipment or other digital devices borrowed for use inside or outside a library location.
• Lost or damaged library materials are charged a replacement fee as of October 1, 2025.
• Shipping fees may apply to items acquired through our Interlibrary Loan Service (ILLO). These fees will be disclosed to the Member during the ILLO reservation process.
• Interlibrary Loans at the full rate assigned by the lending institution when the item is determined lost or missing.
• The Library does not accept substitutes for lost or damaged material in lieu of fees for lost costs.

Makerspace and Other Digital Equipment

• Auxiliary items: Cables, Drumsticks, Microphone stands/SD Card - $25
• Tripod, Video Camera/Elgato, etc. - $90
• Speakers, BluRay Burner, USB Microphone, etc. - $130
• Wacom tablet/Scanner, etc. - $225
• Camera, GoPro, Drum Kit, Keyboard, Guitars, Cricut - $500
• Devices with data plans - $200
• Kiosk iPads - $500
• Kiosk Laptops - $1100

Fees for loss or damage of newer equipment added to the Makerspace from time to time will be consistent with other rates in this Procedure, where possible, and must cover the cost of repair or replacement of the items.

Non-Traditional Items

• Collection iPads - $300
• Community iPads - $500

Publish Date

September 2025

Frequently Asked Questions

What about fees for lost or damaged items?
Lost or damaged library materials, digital equipment or Interlibrary Loans are charged a fee. Please return damaged items to any branch and chat with staff.

My account is blocked, can you tell me why?
Accounts may be blocked for several reasons: an incorrect address or phone number, reaching the borrowing limit, or missing material (e.g., a disc from a CD set). To discuss why your account is blocked, please contact us. You can still borrow digital resources.

How else can I help?
There are several ways:

• Volunteer 
• Giving 
• Pay it Forward 

What does HPL do with the donations?
the Pay-It-Forward Fund supports materials purchases, programming and quality learning resources.

There are four areas donors can direct their contributions:

1. Most Needed Use
2. Kids’ Learning Fund
3. Fines Forgiveness
4. Local History & Archives Collections

Are tax receipts offered?
Tax receipts for donations made in person are issued for all donations of $25 or more, upon request. Donations made online at hpl.ca for $3 or more are issued a tax receipt by Canada Helps.