Beyond Words, Community Purple Walk, Big Read and more

Mayor Luke Bronin Selected as

Caroline M. Hewins Medalist

Mayor Bronin has demonstrated unwavering support for HPL in his eight years in office and during his tenure as a member of Library’s Board of Directors. Under his leadership, and in partnership with the HPL Board and administration, the City/Library partnership has become a model for cities across the country showcasing the transformative power of public libraries as civic anchors in the community.

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 Weekly Book Recommendations:

Check out what we're reading

We love a good mystery!

City Under One Roof

Iris Yamashita

A stranded detective tries to solve a murder in a tiny Alaskan town where everyone lives in a single high-rise building. You are not going to want to put this one down!

"Captivating." —New York Times Book Review

"An offbeat, sharply written thriller.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

The House in the Pines

Ana Reyes

Years after a young woman's sudden death in her best friend’s kitchen, a viral video reopens questions left unanswered.

“absolute, can’t-put-it-down thriller. . ." —Reese Witherspoon

". . . really pulls the reader unlike anything I have read before.” —Latinx in Publishing

"What is Genealogy?" Community Conversation

"I help others discover that history, heritage, language, and cultural education help us successfully navigate society and enhance our personal lives." —Sandra Taitt-Eady

Tuesday, October 24, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Check out all of our upcoming NEA Big Read programing HERE

As an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in partnership with Arts Midwest, the NEA Big Read broadens our understanding of our world, our communities, and ourselves through the power of a shared reading experience.

Read the never-before-seen unpublished works by award-winning American literary icon Ntozake Shange, featuring essays, plays, and poems from the archives of the seminal Black feminist writer who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