Harvest Festival this Saturday! (and way more inside)

Saukiog Harvest Festival of Native American, Indigenous, and Cross Cultures - this Saturday!

Celebrate indigenous identity and culture at the Saukiog Harvest Festival!

Saukiog, sometimes spelled, Sickaug or Suckiaug is the Indigenous name for Hartford. Festival includes; live performances, panel discussions, storytelling, music and dances, food, vendors, community organizations and more.

Saturday, October 14, 10 a.m. – 4p.m.

337 Vine Street

Free event- all ages welcomed!

Rain or shine!

Dancers

Chief Jay Strong Buffalo
Quan Piper
Richard Cowes (Dancer Educator)
War Chief Kicking Bear Piper
Golden Paugussett Tribal Nation
Dana Washington
Kendall Washington
Jeremiah Craggett
Albert Sergeant

Drummers/Singers

Young Bloods
Mixashawn Rozie

Shelter Building Workshop

Annawon Weeden

Storyteller

Darlene Kascak

Panelists

Mark Allen
Chenille Jake
Darlene Kascak
Kaleb Garrett
Senator Anwar

Vendors

The Metis Cabin
Golden Hill Paugussett -Tribe Quan Piper (Vendor)
Mixashawn Rozie (Author)
War Chief Kicking Bear Piper
Golden Paugussett Tribal Nation
Gabriel Gamboa De La Cruz
Rootswear
CEO Boss Accessories

Many thanks to our community partners: Ebony Horsewomen Equestrian and Therapeutic Center, UConn Health, Keney Park Sustainability

Connecticut Land Conservation Council, Connecticut Explored, The Audubon Society, Witness STONES Project and American Senior Benefit

Learn more HERE

HPL Weekly Book Recommendations:

Check out what we're reading

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

Hades, Argentina

Daniel Loedel

A haunting beautiful novel about memory, love and the impossible choices we sometimes have to make.

“A debut novel as impressive as they come. Tough, wily, dreamlike.”

—Seattle Times

“Surely one of the most astonishing debut novels of the year. . .”

—Interview

Living Beyond Borders

Margarita Longoria

A powerful exploration of what it means to be Mexican American told through short stories, essays, poetry and comics by a group of authors.

*"Superlative . . . A memorable collection." —Booklist, starred review

“Well worth reading; a welcome addition to any bookshelf.” —Kirkus Reviews

Way to go, Letty!

Real Art Ways Executive Director, Will K. Wilkins with Letty Cotto

HPL's own Leticia Cotto, Customer Experience Officer, was presented with a "Realie Award" on September 26th at Real Art Ways annual fundraiser.

Real Art Ways' "Realie Awards" honors individuals who make significant contributions to our community.

Letty was recognized for her longstanding dedication to Hartford through her work developing and supporting mission-led programming that centers Hartford residents and community goals, as well being a small business owner.

Real Art Ways, located in Hartford's Parkville neighborhood, is regarded as one of our country’s outstanding contemporary art spaces, with a deep connection to community.

Well done Letty!

Calling all volunteers!

Read for the Record

We’re looking for a few good readers!

Join United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut and Hartford Public Library in celebrating the 18th anniversary of Jumpstart’s Read for the Record, where hundreds of volunteers read the same book at the same time to classrooms across our region. Read for the Record Day is October 26th.

This year, volunteers will read With Lots of Love by Jenny Torres Sanchez, illustrated by André Ceolin.

Volunteer to read HERE

Looking for volunteers who also fluent in Spanish

Spending time with your grandchildren

just got a bit easier.

The American Place @ Hartford Public Library is providing GrandPad tablets to help older adults access technology and stay safely connected to their loved ones.

Grandpad tablets come preloaded with data and wireless internet. The device is specifically designed for ease of use by older adults and can be checked out for up to 10 months with your library card.

Learn more/request your Grandpad HERE

Mr. Darcy is coming to Hartford (swoon)

Pride and Prejudice

The classic love story - with a contemporary twist.

By Kate Hamill / Adapted from the novel by Jane Austen

It’s about time for the Bennet sisters to get married, only the independent and outspoken Elizabeth isn’t keen on the idea.

FREE tickets are available for HPL cardholders while they last at branch libraries or online.

October 12 - November 5

Hartford Stage

Reserve your tickets HERE

Our 2023 NEA Big Read grant supports a community reading program focused on the novel Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi.

Upcoming Big Read programming:

Wednesday, October 11, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m., Camp Field Branch

Community Conversation on Homegoing

Program will include a conversation about the book, rock painting representing your heritage, and a sampling of sweet potato bread.

Monday, October 16, 6 - 8 p.m., Park Street Library @ the Lyric

The Role Music Played for Black Culture, Slavery to Present - Panel Discussion

A community conversation with HPL and Haneef Nelson on "The Important Role Music Played for Black Culture from Slavery to Present''

Check out all of our programming for both books 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.