We've Got The Beat!

Hartford Artists. Hartford Music. Hartford Sounds.
Meet the team of community curators who will be selecting local music for 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝘁, our new digital music platform highlighting Hartford artists launching in June.

June Archer, a musician, author and currently president and CEO of Eleven28 Entertainment, his career took him from singing in a driveway in Windsor to signing a major record deal in New York City.

Andres Chaparro, a Hartford-born mixed media artist, his art is a visual representation of jazz and brings the music into the physical world.

Stephen Cusano, a graduate of the Hartt School’s Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz with a focus in drums in jazz studies, he created Parkville Sounds, a recording studio for local artists, and is a member of Make Music Hartford and the Greater Hartford Arts Council.
 
Jocelyn Pleasant, a drummer, percussionist, educator and bandleader based in Middletown, she is pursuing a Ph.D. in ethnomusicology at Wesleyan University. Her band, The Lost Tribe, performs music that combines West African rhythms and songs with jazz, funk and other genres.

Maurice D. Robertson, a jazz DJ on WWUH-FM and longtime supporter and board member of the Hartford Jazz Society, he has spent decades chronicling jazz through his photography.

Yolande Spears, vice president of education and community relations at The Bushnell, she co-created the award-winning PARTNERS program that provides arts opportunities for students of all ages.

Elijah ‘EliDidThat’ Williams, a producer/engineer and YouMedia mentor at Hartford Public Library, he is helping to train and mentor the next generation of Hartford musicians.

Learn more about the curators HERE.

And stay tuned for more information about 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝘁 ...
We're expanding our hours.
Beginning June 6, the Albany Library and the Park Street Library @ the Lyric return to five-day-a-week service:

Monday-Thursday: 10 am to 6 pm
Fridays: 10 am to 5 pm

Learn more about the phased plans for all our branches HERE.
You shared. We listened.
Thank you to everyone who came out to offer input on our new branch the North End library that is being built at the Swift Factory.

Learn more about this inspiring project HERE.
Hartford Bird Week is happening right now.
"The library is a place where community can come to be curious and find connection, so it makes sense for us to throw open the library doors and connect our customers to our parks and wildlife neighbors.” HPL Systemwide Teen Services Librarian Victoria Palmatier

This week is jammed packed with great events for those who love birds, love nature or even those who want to discover their love of birds and nature.

You can learn more and see the entire schedule of events HERE.

Northern flicker at dusk by Hartford photographer Helder Mira. See more of his beautiful images HERE.
Celebrating PRIDE Month!
Great literature & movies to experience with your library card
Samra Habib
National bestseller

A memoir about love, life, forgiveness, family and exploration of faith art and queerness.

“A poignantly told memoir about a life fiercely lived.” — Kirkus Reviews
Best Documentary winner,
Napa Valley Film Festival

Dr. Grace Dammann, a pioneering AIDS specialist, experienced a devastating accident. States of Grace tells her powerful story of resiliency, tenacity and love.

Watch the trailer HERE.
Celebración del Día Multicultural
Park Street Library @ The Lyric
Celebrate the many different cultures in the Frog Hollow neighborhood with activities, music, art, food and fun for all ages.

Pase por la biblioteca de Park Street para celebrar la cultura, a través de actividades, actuaciones musicales y mucha diversión para todos.

Wednesday, June 1: 4-6 pm
miercoles, 1ro de junio, 4pm a 6 pm
Park Street Library @ The Lyric
603 Park St.

Questions? Contact Graciela.
Hey, look we made earrings!
You can discover many things at the library, including you own talents. Every week we provide multiple opportunities for you to learn, create and connect with others. Come explore with us!

Coming up next week:

DIY Herb Garden
Monday, June 7
Noon
Albany Library
1250 Albany Ave.

Upcycle donated coffee canisters and repurpose them into mini herb gardens. Decorate your own canister while learning about different herbs and basic care tips. Space is limited and registration is required. Sign up HERE or call 860-695-7380.
Kiss My Aztec at Hartford Stage.
Tickets for Kiss My Aztec!
June 1-26

Get your FREE tickets HERE (and check out the many museum passes we have to offer our cardholders.)

Learn more about the show HERE.
Opportunities for you.
Join Our Team!

Help us build collections, provide much-needed services for our neighbors and strengthen and celebrate our diverse community.

Learn about the many positions open in lots of different departments HERE.
Amazon Job Fair

Thursday, June 2
11am - 1pm
Downtown Library, Main Floor
500 Main St.

More info about job opportunities with Amazon is available HERE.
Reminder: COVID-19 test kits and N95 masks.
We've got at-home COVID-19 test kits and N95 masks available for Hartford residents. Just stop by any library location and ask at the front desk.

*Special Notice: The expiration date on the free COVID-19 test kits available at HPL has been extended by three months.*

Look for a new expiration date using the lot number printed on your kit HERE.

Questions? contact the City of Hartford Department of Health and Human Services at 860-757-4830.
“The joy of discovery is one of the biggest pleasures you'll ever know.”
― Samra Habib, We Have Always Been Here