5 Things You Need to Know About Your Hamilton Public Library Card

Your Hamilton Public Library (HPL) card is a golden ticket in this town.

Not only can you borrow books, DVDs and CDs from your local branches, your FREE (if you live, work, study in the city) card grants you access to a variety of resources. Also, you don’t even need to go down to a branch to get a card because you can sign up for them online.

Here are 5 things you need to know to take full advantage of your HPL card.

It gives access to digital media labs and makerspace

The Hamilton Public Library is a touchstone for many local small businesses, artists, digital media professionals and entrepreneurs. The HPL offers collaborative creative spaces and access to hi-tech tools for patrons looking to create, invent and explore. They have a green screen studio, grant use of cameras and recording equipment and the Adobe creative suite. There are 3D printers and scanners, large-format and vinyl printers and access to virtual and augmented reality technology. The Central Library’s recently renovated 4th floor is home to Circuit 4.0 where all of these resources, and more, can be found.

You can gain entry to Hamilton Civic Museums for free

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Your HPL card can also grant you access to our city’s history and cultural exhibits at some of our world-class museums. Show your library card (if you’re with the family, make sure everyone has their card with them) to gain free entry into places like Dundurn Castle, the Hamilton Military Museum, Hamilton Children’s Museum, and the Hamilton Museum of Steam and Technology, among others. Check on the HPL website for the museums that grant free admission for HPL cardholders.

You have online access to special databases

If you’re an HPL cardholder, you have online access to special databases, including consumer reports, ancestry libraries, courses, driver’s education prep tests, DIY auto repair, lectures, directories and much, much more. If you’ve ever hit a paywall while trying to access consumer reports in your search for the perfect baby car seat, you can appreciate just how valuable access to this kind of information can be. You can research your family roots and even prepare for your driver’s test and learn a new language.

It will help with a job search and professional development

With your HPL card, you can gain access to development courses offered through Lynda.com, as well as job search boards and resume builders. There’s also Scott’s Directory which provides information and in-depth contact details for businesses across the country. Also available is a career-matching platform which could help you determine your next professional move. Don’t forget that your HPL card grants you access to computers and business resources.

It gives you access to eBooks, audiobooks, and magazines

With our society increasingly shifting away from physical books and paper products, it’s no wonder that the HPL has started to lend these items out electronically. Readily available to cardholders with the proper apps and technology are bestselling titles, popular magazines and a host of audiobooks for readers or story lovers of all ages and abilities.