Live in Hartford but don’t have a library card? Register with us today! You will be able to checkout our e-resources within 24 hours.

We've put together a step-by-step guide to take you through the simple process of getting a card, opening you to a world of free books, movies, and music .

When we re-open, please come to the Library to check out our print and media collections and enjoy our programs.
A woman stands proudly next to her truck, wearing a bow tie and sharp looking boots.

The photo itself is arresting, but the caption is perhaps even more so. It’s a photo of Hartford resident Marie V. Bailey in the 1920s – the first woman to own a trucking company in United States.

Bailey’s tiny slice of history is part of the Hartford History Center exhibition of black and white photographs of extraordinary Hartford women from the Hartford Times collection.


The City of Hartford is beginning a design study of Main Street from State House Square to Wyllys Street. The project will take a deep dive to look at how Main Street functions today, how it could better meet future needs, and how it can be improved to showcase our downtown. You are invited to complete a survey to help to inform the study. Anyone who walks, bikes, uses a bus, or drives along Main Street is invited to participate.  
https://www.reimaginingmainstreet.com/take-the-survey

Hartford Public Library encourages city residents to take advantage of adjustments to the timing of 2020 Census activities to complete the survey at home.

“The safest and most convenient way to participate in the 2020 Census is to do so online. If we don’t count everyone, we may be leaving money on the table,” said Hartford Public Library CEO and president Bridget Quinn-Carey, referencing the Census’ role in the distribution of federal money to support education, housing, and health care, among many other areas.

Canadian writer Nick Green was about to debut the world premiere of his new musical when it was canceled due to COVID-19. “It’s such a weird mix of feelings. Yes, it was absolutely the right decision. 100%. But so, so, SO disappointing,” Green wrote.

Instead of just feeling bad, he created The Social Distancing Festival, an online community for artists to share their work. It’s already a fascinating mix of film, dance, music, puppetry, poetry, theatre, and more. 

Check out the  SAG-AFTRA Foundation ’s children’s literacy website, Storyline Online, and stream videos featuring famous actors reading children’s books alongside creatively produced illustrations! Storytellers include Viola Davis, Chris Pine, Lily Tomlin, Kevin Costner, Annette Bening, James Earl Jones, Betty White and many more! Start watching HERE:  https://www.storylineonline.net/
" Whatever the cost of our libraries, the price is cheap compared to that of an ignorant nation. " — Walter Cronkite