Special Collections

Port Hope’s well-documented history comes to life in the Library’s Local History Collection. The story of Port Hope, Hope Township and the surrounding area is a one vividly told through books, newspapers dating back to 1832, family histories and census records. Our resources can help you find out about the history of the area and the families who lived here through the years. The Library’s collection is housed in the Cameco Local History Room at the Mary J Benson Branch.

Tired of squinting at the print in paperbacks? Give your eyes a break and try a title from the Library’s Large Print Collection. You’ll find:

• the latest bestsellers
• fiction and nonfiction
• genre fiction including mysteries, romances, westerns, and science fiction and fantasy
• current and back issues of the large print edition of Reader’s Digest magazine

If we don’t have the title you want in large print format, please let us know. We’ll do our best to find it for you through the interlibrary loan system.

Audio books come in abridged and unabridged formats on CDs or as Playaway digital audio books. Check out the eResources & Apps page for access to downloadable audio books. Audio books are perfect for:

• commuters
• visually impaired readers
• people learning English
• long trips
• people who like to ‘read’ while working on a craft or hobby.

If you’re looking for a particular title that we don’t have in audio book format, we may be able to order it for you through the interlibrary loan system, (some lending restrictions do apply).

The Library has a collection of adult literacy fiction.

These books are designed to help adults improve their reading skills and include easy-read editions of popular fiction authors. Ask staff about 'Quick Reads'.

The Library has a collection of decodable books to aid those with dyslexia. Ask staff or look for the red 'Decodable' spine labels throughout the collection.

French language materials are available in the Adult and Children's libraries. You will find a small collection of other foreign language materials for children, mostly Arabic and Ukrainian, in the Children's collection. Please always ask staff for help in locating materials.

Children can find Vox Books and Wonderbooks in the slat shelves in the picture book area. The permanently attached reader turns an ordinary print book into an all-in-one read-along. No device, Internet or batteries required - children simply push a button to listen and read. Look for titles in several foreign languages.

IR books combine virtual reality with traditional children's books. Dive beneath the ocean or travel in space using the app, your phone and a cardboard headset.

(Note: Readers must be online to use the app.)

• First, patrons should download the IR Books App from the App or Google Play store.
• Then, as they read the printed book, they will find QR codes at three different points in the book.
• Once they're at a QR code, they should open the app and follow the onscreen instructions.
• They should tap the "Scan" button - the open sided square icon - and scan the QR code by centering it in the box.
• The VR or AR experience will then automatically download.
• Once the experience has downloaded, they should select "Launch."
• Then they will be asked if they have a cardboard headset and should tap either the "Cardboard Headset" or "No Headset" button.
• Selecting "No Headset" will launch a 2D video of the experience, rather than the full VR experience.
• Selecting "Cardboard Headset" will launch the VR experience. After selecting it, they should place their phone into the headset and the experience will start automatically.
• In the middle of their screen will be a small white dot. This is the same as a mouse pointer and is used to select certain commands within the VR app while using the VR headset. They simply need to look at the icons to select the command.
• Each VR experience contains several POIs (Points of Interest). When the initial VR experience ends, they will see an "i" in a circle, indicating more information is available. They can select the POI by looking at it to see additional video and information about the book's topic.
• To exit out of the VR experience, patrons just need to place the pointer to the Home button, again by looking at it. To replay the experience, they just need to place the pointer on the replay button.