HPL staff member Geetha Karkera (left) helps pass out groceries at the first library/Foodshare partnership event last week. Photo by Andy Hart of Hartford News.
Fifty families received much needed groceries thanks to Hartford Public Library’s partnership with Foodshare, which launched last week.

The groceries were distributed at the Barbour Library. Distribution will take place at the branch twice a month, with the next one occurring on Thursday, February 25.

The NEA Big Read will begin Sunday, February 28 with a very special edition of the Baby Grand Jazz concert series, featuring live latin jazz from Ray Gonzalez, poetry readings from local poet Diana Aldrete, dance performance from Baila Con Gusto CT, and readings from In the Time of the Butterflies.

We will celebrate the bestselling writer Julia Alvarez's novel "In the Time of the Butterflies" with exciting programming around Dominican art, literature, and performance, as well as educational and celebratory programs on revolutionary Hartford Latinas.


Black History Month Book and Movie Suggestions
The Blues Singers: Ten Who Rocked the World, Written by Julius Lester, Illustrated by Lisa Cohen
A Newbery Honor author talks about about the blues while profiling ten of the most celebrated blues singers of last century, including Aretha Franklin, B.B. King, and James Brown, in a boldly illustrated picture book.
Moonlight, written by Tarell Alvin McCraney, directed by Barry Jenkins
A transcendent, award-winning look at 3 defining chapters in the life of a young man growing up in Miami. His epic journey to adulthood, as a shy outsider dealing with difficult circumstances, is guided by support, empathy and love from the most unexpected places.
Well-Read Black Girl, edited by Glory Edim
An inspiring collection of essays by black women writers, curated by the founder of the popular book club Well-Read Black Girl, on the importance of recognizing ourselves in literature.
Charu Surl was the first female Indian American jazz composer to premiere her work at Carnegie Hall. Since then her band has released three albums, including the recent "The Book of Ragas," which blended a jazz trio with Sufi sounds, and "The New American Songbook" that is an ode to the more traditional songbook sound.

Listen to a couple of their tunes, "Lollipops for Breakfast" and "Seasons."

They will be performing Sunday, February 21 at 3 pm on Facebook and YouTube.
Date: Thursday February 25th
Time: 7:00-8:30pm
Virtual: Zoom.
To register, click here

Hartford Public Library and Hartford Stage invites you to the next “Deep Appreciation" book club meeting. This month we will discuss How We Became Human by Joy Harjo, accompanied by youth book selection Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble Maillard. Our meetup will feature live music by Jennifer Kreisberg and discussion will be facilitated by Leslie Caromile. For more information, and to check out the books from HPL, click here.
Date: Tuesday, February 23rd
Time: 6-7:30pm
Virtual: Zoom & YouTube (HPLCT)
 
This event intends to open doors for returning citizens as they embark on their journey to reintegrate into our beloved communities. They will share stories of life post-incarceration, raising awareness and reducing the stigma attributed to the re-entry population. The event also provides an opportunity to learn about additional resources and channels of community support. Co-hosted by Community Partners in Action.
 
Ways to Cultivate Hope
Barbour Library manager Irene Blean will be leading a pair of workshops offering ways to cultivate hope. Using an article from Psychology Today as a jumping off point, Blean will lead the group through journaling and meditation exercises reflecting on the ideas of gratitude and acceptance.

On Wednesday, February 24 at 11 am, come to the CCC at the Downtown Library to paint rocks with words and images that inspire hope. 

On Thursday, February 25, we move to Zoom. Learn ways to cultivate hope and share a quote, poem, song, or book that inspires you.

The program is inspired by the book "Grace Trail: Find Your Footing and Move Toward the Life You Were Meant to Live," by Anne Barry Jolles.

Please call to register, 860-695-7401 or email iblean@hplct.org, to get a Zoom invite.
It was a Valentine's Day doubleheader at Baby Grand Jazz. Medusa combined tap dancing and a slick jazz sound for an unforgettable experience.
The John Kordalewski Trio gave a performance that friends on Fccebook called "soothing and relaxing" - just the thing for a lazy Sunday afternoon.
February Program Calendars
“Libraries remind us that truth isn't about who yells the loudest, but who has the right information. Because even as we're the most religious of people, America's innovative genius has always been preserved because we also have a deep faith in facts.”

― Barack Obama