Park Library rises!
In just a couple of weeks we've gone from in the ground work and a beam signing ceremony to the first tangible signs of the Park Library rising up in the Frog Hollow neighborhood. We look forward to welcoming everyone to our new library in 2021!

The Downtown Library will be open beginning July 13 Monday through Thursday 9 am to 6 pm, and Friday from 9 am to 5 pm. Saturday service will be added from 9 am to 5 pm beginning August 3.

Services that will be available:
  • One hour computer sessions
  • Fax, copy and scanning
  • Passports, notary public services and municipal IDs by appointment.
  • The American Place and the Hartford History Center by appointment.

We are excited to offer contact-free pick up service at the Camp Field and Albany libraries beginning July 13 from Monday through Friday, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Contact-free service will continue at our Downtown Library.

Spots are still available for the Hartford Changemakers summer program, which is geared to Hartford residents ages 13 and older. Interested individuals can sign up using this Google Form: bit.ly/HartfordChangeMakers

The virtual workshops will begin July 13 and run through August 21. The workshops will integrate themes around leadership, organizing, and creative responses to shaping history in your own neighborhood.

Each virtual workshop will engage approximately 20 participants for six, 90 minute sessions and will include:
  • Mural design and execution with Lindaluz Carrillo
  • Storytelling with master storyteller Andre Keitt
  • Music creation and performance with Khaiim Kelly the RapOet aka Self Suffice
  • Poetry writing and performance with local poet Versatile Poetiq
  • Dance with Jus Hues of Jus Move Studios and Ginette Christie
  • Documentary photography with Jasmine Jones

The program will culminate with the creation of two murals celebrating the stories of city change makers from the Black, Latinx, and indigenous communities.
Hear a children's story over your phone 24/7
Imagine picking up your phone anytime and dialing in to hear a great children’s story – a swashbuckling adventure or something charming and funny.

The HPL children’s department is rolling out a new program that does just that.

On July 13 the library will go live with its “Dial-A-Story” program, a round the clock service where by calling 860-695-6288 children and parents can hear a recorded story read to them.
·        For English, press 1
·        For Spanish, press 2
·        For Urdu/Hindi, Press 3
·        For English Songs, Rhymes or Fingerplay, press 4
·        For comments and suggestions, press 0

The following stories and rhymes/songs will be aired on Monday:
 
  • Hey Black Child by Useni Eugene Perkins
  • El libro de la Paz by Todd Parr
  • No Dinner by Jessica Souhami (translated version)
  • Me Complete, The Baby in the Cradle, One Little Baby

It’s a fun and easy way to help introduce small children to the joy of storytelling! 
HPL’s children’s department is passing out Basics Backpack, containing everything a child might need to do a craft or work on a fun creative project, including markers, crayons, construction paper, watercolors. glue, and scissors.
 
“Many times I’ve had children ask me if they can take some crayons and copy paper home so they can color. We are using funds this summer to try to provide these things to as many families as we can,” said Denise Martens, HPL’s children’s librarian.
 
Supplies are limited. For more information 860-695-6330.

“ A library is a different kind of social reality (of the three dimensional kind), which by its very existence teaches a system of values beyond the fiscal.”
―  Zadie Smith