Albany Community Engagement Meeting

Happening Tonight!

Share Your Thoughts!

We're hosting a community meeting to discuss the future of the Albany Library and we would love to see you there.

Tuesday, November 14, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Artist Collective

1200 Albany Ave,

P.S. You can also fill out a survey! English Survey or Encuesta Española

HPL Weekly Book Recommendations:

Check out what we're reading

Celebrating Native American Heritage Month

Selections for our YA Friends

Hearts Unbroken

Cynthia Leitich Smith

Winner of an American Indian Youth Literature Award

A thoughtful story of a Native teen navigating the complicated, confusing waters of high school — and first love.

"...this is truly a thought-provoking and educational novel." —Booklist

"...a thought-provoking work of realistic teen fiction." —Publishers Weekly Online

Firekeeper's Daughter

Angeline Boulley

#1 New York Times Bestseller

An immersive and heart-stopping thriller told through the eyes of 18-year-old Daunis, a biracial, unenrolled member of the Ojibwe tribe.

"[An] absolute powerhouse of a debut." —NPR

"An incredible thriller, not to be missed." —Booklist, Starred Review

Introducing Berkins on Main!

Meet the Berkins!

Andrea Hawkins and Doug Barber created Berkins Blend Cafe with a unique story that will be told for generations to come!

Hartford Public Library (HPL) is pleased to announce that Berkins on Main will be coming to the Downtown Library in 2023 as our new café partner!

Berkins on Main and HPL are excited to partner in restoring café service back to the Downtown Library. Berkins on Main will offer healthy lunch options and catering for events.

Renovations of the café space are underway and our goal is to have the café operational in early December!

Stay tuned for the Berkins on Main @ HPL launch date!

Beyond Grateful

Past HPL Board Chair Gregory C. Davis, Mayor Luke Bronin, HPL President and CEO Bridget E. Quinn, HPL Board Chair David S. Barrett at HPL’s annual 2023 Beyond Words event.

Oh, what a night!

“The theme here every year is always Beyond Words, which is fitting as the Hartford Public Library is not just about books it’s beyond books and beyond words- these libraries are places where our citizens get services and programs that they need – a lifeline to education and opportunities that are essential for this capital city to thrive”. —Dan O’Shea – HPL board member, chief administrative officer Global Atlantic, BW honorary chair and presenting sponsor

All guests were treated to a riveting reading by the author Ayana Mathis, a book talk with Ayana and HPL Ambassador Duby McDowell, and received a signed copy of her latest book The Unsettled.

Many thanks to our sponsors, our speakers, our guests and everyone who worked so hard to make our Beyond Words event so special!

Diwali Celebration: Festival of Lights

Celebrate with us!

Celebrate Diwali with children and parents' performances including dances, songs and shloka (Hindu prayers) recitals; patriotic poetry; Odissi Classical dance presentation by guest presenters Rupali Das and Nritya Sadhana dance troupe!

Saturday, November 18, 12:00 - 4:30 p. m.

Downtown Library

A special thank you to Connecticut Humanities and the Regional School Choice Office (RSCO) for supporting our program.

Hartford Reads in Color

Hartford Reads In Color invites you to participate in this month's book discussion; Alice Walker's iconic modern classic - The Color Purple.

Sunday, November 19, 2 - 3 p.m. online

Register HERE

“A story of revelation . . . One of the great books of our time.”

—Essence Magazine

A Christmas Carol Is Back at Hartford Stage

A Christmas Carol:

A Ghost Story of Christmas

November 24 – December 24

The magic of Charles Dickens’s heartwarming classic returns with former Hartford Stage Artistic Director Michael Wilson at the helm. Come see Connecticut’s favorite family holiday - it’s the perfect holiday entertainment!

HPL has free passes for card holders - reserve yours today HERE

A Place Like No Other

HPL offers engaging, educational, and fun programming for all ages.

Check out our calendar of programming HERE and head to your favorite branch!

Check out some of our upcoming programming:

Family Diner & Movie @Park ¡Cena familiar y películas en la biblioteca Park!

Wednesday, November 15, 3 - 5 p.m.

Park Street Library @ The Lyric

Tons of fun!

Connecticut Foodshare Distribution

Thursday, November 16, 3 - 4 p.m.

Barbour Branch

Come for a free bag of groceries and helpful information from various organizations.

UConn STARs - 6-12

Friday, November 17, 3 - 5 p.m.

Dwight Branch - ages 6-12

Join the UConn STARs for hands-on activities exploring electricity, magnets, and the refraction of light, as well as looking at the sun through solar telescopes.

“Honor your spirit. Love yourself.”

― Angeline Boulley, Firekeeper's Daughter