Annual Report, Beyond Words, and Stephen King

Our Annual Report Is Here

"We hope you enjoy learning all the ways HPL serves our community

and all the ways our community benefits from HPL in this annual report."

Bridget E. Quinn, President and CEO and David S. Barrett, Chair, Board of Directors

Read the full report and learn more about our accomplishments in 2023 HERE

HPL Weekly Book Recommendations:

Check out what we're reading

Perfect time of year to revisit the master storyteller, Stephen King

Holly

Stephen King

A chilling new novel about a detective trying to solve the case of a missing woman. Holly is character you won't forget.

"King’s storytelling skills are not dimming one bit.” —Tampa Bay Times

"Please, Mr. King, give us more Holly soon.” —Gabino Iglesias, NPR.org

The Institute

Stephen King

A terrifying tale about kids triumphing over evil. The work reminds you why Stephen King is the king of horror.

"Another winner: creepy and touching and horrifyingly believable, all at once.”

—The Boston Globe

“This is King at his best.” —The St. Louis Post

Albany Library Needs You

Come and share your thoughts at our community meeting as we discuss a vision for our Albany Library.

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

Artist Collective

1200 Albany Ave.

Read the never-before-seen unpublished works by award-winning American literary icon Ntozake Shange, featuring essays, plays, and poems from the archives of the seminal Black feminist writer who stands alongside giants like Toni Morrison and Alice Walker.

Join the online discussion

Sunday, October 29, 2 - 3 p.m.

“What a fabulous treasure trove of insights into Ntozake Shange's soul… this book provides an intoxicating slice of life to make anyone a lifelong fan… Beautiful. Just like her.” —Good Morning America

We Value Your Input

As we approach our 250th year, and our Downtown Library undergoes renovations, we are taking the opportunity to refresh our brand with plans to adopt a new logo/color palette.

We would love to have your participation in our final focus group to review creative concepts. (If you attended a previous session, please feel free to join us again — we have applied initial input into the designs and are sharing updated options.) Thank you!

Join the online discussion

Thursday, October 26, 12 p.m.

Celebrate with Us

New York Times best selling author Ayana Mathis to be in attendance at this year's Beyond Words

Ayana Mathis will be onstage with HPL Ambassador Duby McDowell discussing her latest book, The Unsettled.

"Poignant, heartbreaking . . . Mathis skillfully and subtly drops allusions to historical events, sending the reader on a kind of intellectual treasure hunt.” –The New York Times Book Review

Thursday, November 9, 6 - 8 p.m.

Hartford Marriot Downtown

200 Columbus BLVD

Beyond Words is Hartford Public Library's annual signature fundraising event. The Library goes beyond words, every day, with diverse and transformative programs and services for our community.

HPL in the News

Bridget E. Quinn, Hartford Public Library president and CEO, recently chatted with WFSB - Channel 3 Eyewitness News about all of the exciting things happening at your local library.

You can watch the interview HERE