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A quick guide to making the most of your visit to the library.

This is where you will find a lot of the stuff that will make you ask "The library does that?" HCPL is a 21st-century library and as such our library services are not limited to reference questions and copying machines. Here you will information about income tax services, proctoring, borrowing WiFi hotspots, and a lot of other services you might know we offer!

Services

Meeting & Study Rooms
Reserve a meeting or study room for your next meeting, seminar, exhibit or study session.

Many HCPL branches have meeting and/or study rooms available to the public. You can reserve a space online or by calling the branch directly.

Reserve a room now

Please visit our Meeting and Study Room Policy for full details.

Meeting and Study Room Policy on the Library Use Policies page

Printing and Copying
Photocopiers and printers are available to the public at all branches for printing at a minimal cost.

When branch libraries are open to the public, branches offer printers and photocopiers for self-service use at minimal cost.

Mobile Printing allows you to upload and pay for print jobs to be picked up at your nearest branch library.

Visit Printing and Copying page for details.

Computers, Technology & Special Equipment
All HCPL branches have computers with internet access and printers for public use, but also have other equipment you can use.

Besides computers, laptops, and printers, many HCPL locations have an assortment of equipment for in-library use. These range from scanners, DVD players and typewriters to CAC readers for military personnel and 3D printers. Visit your branch page for a full list of available equipment.

To learn about borrowing laptops, kindle e-readers, CAC readers and our gardening tool library,  go to Frequently Asked Questions: Special Equipment 

Proctoring
A service for distance education students and others who need to take a test outside the traditional classroom

The Harris County Public Library system offers free proctoring services for individuals at most of its branch libraries. The availability of personnel, facilities, technology, and hours of operations vary from branch to branch. Please contact a librarian at your preferred location well in advance of your exam to determine if the branch will be able to accommodate your request.
 

For full Proctoring Guidelines, Go to Library Policies 

Tax Services
AARP Tax Aide services are offered free of charge beginning in February.

UPDATE: February 15, 2021: Because of the ongoing pandemic, AARP is unable to provide in-person tax preparation services the way they have at many HCPL locations in the past. AARP Tax Aide will, however, provide informational packets at four HCPL branches Packets will include instructions and locations where you can submit documents for offsite tax preparation.

Please call the nearest branch to reserve your packet and to schedule a pick-up time.

Print IRS Tax Forms & instructions: irs.gov

For more information and Free Tax Preparation Locations in your Area, visit our Tax Services Page

Small Business Services
Many HCPL branches present programs to help you start up or build your small business.

SCORE Small Business Counseling 

SCORE is the nation’s largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors, with more than 10,000 volunteers in 300 chapters. As a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), SCORE has helped more than 10 million entrepreneurs through mentoring, workshops and educational resources since 1964. Go to Score Small Business Counseling in Events

Small Business Reference Center 

A collection of state-specific resources (including videos) supported with demographic data and other local information Go to Small Business Reference Center in Research

Emergency Response
HCPL Cooling and Disaster Relief Centers

Disaster Relief Centers

HCPL is currently working with Harris County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HCOHSEM) on an agreement to designate HCPL branches as official Disaster Recovery Centers. HCOHSEM Disaster Recovery Centers are where people can access the assistance and services they need most in times of emergency. Representatives from government agencies like FEMA, Small Business Administration and social services will be on hand, as well as aid organizations like the American Red Cross.

HCOHSEM will announce when and if Disaster Recovery Centers will be activated.

Cooling Centers

Summer heat can be dangerous, especially for seniors and people suffering from certain chronic conditions. When heat waves hit (and they will), HCPL encourages you to check on your neighbors who might be at risk and, if need be, offer to drive them to an HCPL location to cool off.  All HCPL locations are cooling centers during normal business hours. 

Because all HCPL branches (except LSC-CyFair Library), are closed on Sundays, HCPL, in partnership with Harris County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HCOHSEM), has designated seven branches to be Sunday cooling centers in the event a heat wave occurs on a Sunday.

Barbara Bush Branch Library

Crosby Branch Library

High Meadows Branch Library

*Lone Star College CyFair Library*

Maud Marks Branch Library

Octavia Fields Branch Library

South Houston Branch Library

Please NOTE: These locations, with the exception of Lone Star College CyFair Library, will only open on a Sunday if there is a heat wave.  The operating hours are 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm. 

Passport Services
Harris County Public Library is now offering passport services by appointment at eight branches across the county.

Find all the information you will need to apply for your U.S. passport book and/or passport card: HCPL Passport Services