Join us for the big reveal on Nov. 20

Construction Update:

We are officially one month away from our

Downtown Library ribbon cutting!

The excitement is building—literally! The temporary banners announcing our closure have been taken down, and new shelving is being installed. The countdown to our reopening is on, and we can’t wait to welcome you back through the Main Street doors of the Downtown Library!

Join us on Wednesday, November 20, at the Downtown Library at 11:00 a.m. at 500 Main Street as we cut the ribbon and welcome back our community to the Downtown Library. Doors will be open for public service immediately following the speaking program.

Starting November 20, customers will have access to a large section of the first floor, including collections, computers, passports, and offerings from The American Place. The first-floor classrooms and Center for Contemporary Culture (CCC) have been in use since 2023 and will continue to be accessible.

Learn More Here

Will we see you at our Downtown opening on Wednesday, November 20 at 11:00 a.m.?

Yes

Thank you for participating in our polls!

Last Week's Poll: Did you have as much fun at the book launch as we did?

Results:

Yes - 60.5%

No - 30.5%

HPL's Book Recommendations

Celebrating Halloween with these scary good reads

This Cursed House

Del Sandeen

". . . A haunting beautiful story about how far we would go for family — both living and dead"

—Darcy Coates, USA Today bestselling author of The Whispering Dead

"A fresh perspective to the gothic horror genre. The author’s exploration of bloodlines, family, and race is complex and nuanced, and her heroine is easy to root for as she confronts ghosts both literal and metaphorical. Sandeen offers much to chew on.”

—Publishers Weekly

Find it HERE in our catalog

The Blue Hour

Paula Hawkins

"An atmospheric, stylish puzzle box of a thriller. . . truly exceptional."

—Liz Moore, New York Times bestselling author of The God of the Woods

"It is a very complex story and very sad. Unfolding slowly, it is fraught with angst and full of foreboding and comes to a frightening end."

—Booklist

Find it HERE in our catalog

Our Annual Report Is Here

Check it out here!

Cheers to 250 years! Hartford Public Library (HPL) has been serving Hartford as the go-to center for education, literacy, culture, technology, and civic engagement for two and a half centuries. Not many institutions in our country can make a claim that they are older than the United States, but Hartford Public Library proudly holds that honor. We look forward to the next 250 years!

Each year, we look back at HPL's services, programs, and connections and feel a deep sense of gratitude for the thousands of people who make this happen — our staff, board, ambassadors, volunteers, partners, donors, elected officials and community memebers who show thier support in so many ways. HPL is here to serve you — our incredible community, and we're proud to showcase some of this work in our 2024 Annual Report.

Join us, as we go Beyond Words!

Beyond Words is just two weeks away!

This year we will feature Safiya Sinclair, author of How to Say Babylon.

Thank you to our sponsors, Global Atlantic Financial Group, Travelers, The Hartford, Downes Construction, Talcott Financial Group, Rick & Beth Costello, Phyllis Shikora & Doug Cohen, UCONN Hartford, Sar & Edward Lashetski, TSKP Studio, Floyd Green III, and Donna & Sam Strout.

Thursday, Nov. 7 | 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Hartford Marriott Downtown

200 Columbus Boulevard, Hartford

Registration is required. Please RSVP by Tuesday, October 29. To RSVP, visit here.

Beyond Words, Hartford Public Library's (HPL) annual signature fundraising event, celebrates how the Library goes beyond words, every day, with diverse and transformative programs and services.

Learn More Here

HPL Studios: Podcasting Workshop

Do you have what it takes to start a podcast?

Come learn how to produce, write, record, and edit your own podcast with Brendon Davis, DJ, host and producer.

Monday, October 28 | 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.

Downtown Library

Classroom 140

500 Main Street

Please enter through the Arch Street entrance.

Learn More Here

There's a Scare in the Air!

Unleash your inner spirits with Kanopy’s Fright Fest! From horror classics to thrilling adventures, Fright Fest celebrates horror and fascination during this spooky season. Get your flashlight ready and start streaming now!

Feel the chill, FREE with your library card.

Learn More Here