The Toronto Public Library (TPL) will once again be charging patrons a small fee to print and photocopy documents at the city’s branches.
Library locations across Toronto have displayed signage warning guests that charges for the service will return in “early 2025.”
The TPL told TorontoToday its branches would reinstate paid printing and photocopying in late February.
Once the charges are enforced, it will cost $0.15 per page to print in black and white on both 8 by 11 inch (nearly 20 by 28 centimetres) and 8 by 14 inch (20 by 35 centimetres) paper.
Printing in black and white on 11 by 17 inch (28 by 43 centimetres) paper will cost $0.20. Colour printing, on paper of any size, will see a $0.55 charge.
“We’re also updating our services to better meet your needs, including colour printing, improved security features, remote printing and more,” the TPL signage reads.
TPL - paid printing and photocopying returning early 2025. Still free for now
byu/sprungy intoronto
Printing and photocopying services at the TPL became free after the library experienced a cyberattack in October 2023.
The attack downed the library’s internal system for tracking loaned books and caused an end to remote printing — much to the annoyance of many patrons who have since been forced to wait for their turn at limited print stations.
In a statement to TorontoToday, the TPL said the branches began offering free printing and photocopying services as an “interim solution” following the cyberattack.
“This return to our standard fee structure aligns with our long-term operational model and sustainable resource management practices,” the TPL said. “We understand this change will affect our customers, and we're working to ensure a smooth transition.”
The TPL said it did not pay a ransom to the cyberattackers, who encrypted the library’s computer systems and stole employee data, including social insurance numbers, home addresses and copies of government-issued identification documents.
Since the cyberattack, the library said it has planned for the establishment of additional proactive measures to safeguard TPL’s data and information systems.
