Hartford Public Library Receives

The John E. Rogers Collection

Photograph of John E. Rogers

Collection holds material relating to the African American and Black experience in Hartford 

Over his lifetime, John E. Rogers (1907-1982) accumulated a vast store of historical artifacts, including artwork, articles, photographs and personal histories relating to the Black and African American experience. Rogers was a prominent historian and lecturer.

“Black History Month is a time to recognize all the ways Black culture has influenced Hartford and shaped American life. This collection depicts stories and legacies of Black residents and leaders who have made significant impacts on our city. It’s a beautiful compilation of our local Black history, and we are grateful to John E. Rogers and his granddaughter Meryth for providing future generations with an opportunity to learn from and appreciate these stories.” 

—Mayor Arunan Arulampalam

Learn more about John E. Rogers and the collection HERE

HPL Weekly Book Recommendations:

Check out what we're reading

We're celebrating Black History Month.

(We are loving the author Kiley Reid this week)

Come & Get It

 Kiley Reid

 An Indie Next Pick

Paper thin walls between dorm rooms sets the stage for intrigue and bad behavior in this spellbinding novel about race, class, and privilege.

"An emotionally intense exploration of power dynamics within relationships that doesn’t settle for easy villains and victims." —Library Journal

"Reid is a genius of mimicry and social observation." —Kirkus Reviews

Such a Fun Age

Kiley Reid

Longlisted for the 2020 Booker Prize

A riveting story about race and privilege with a young black babysitter, her well-intentioned employer, and a surprising connection that threatens to undo them both.

“A plot so beautifully intricate and real and fascinating...” ­—Washington Post

“[A] hilarious, uncomfortable and compulsively readable story about race and class.” —Time

Baby Grand Jazz

 Gianni Gardner Quintet this Sunday

February 18

Center for Contemporary Culture (CCC) at the Downtown Library

2 p.m., Doors open to the public (Please come through the Arch Street entrance)

3 p.m., Concert

Gianni Gardner is a New York based jazz guitarist originally from West Hartford, Connecticut. Gardner studied with the local legendary guitarist Doug Maher, vocalist Dianne Mower, and saxophonist Dan O'Brien. He graduated from Western Connecticut State University where he studied with Christopher Morrison, Jimmy Greene, Jamie Begian, and more. Gardner is pursuing graduate studies at the Manhattan School of Music. His band brings a unique energy to every performance. They tell stories through their original compositions and strive for a performance of authenticity and inclusiveness.

You can get a preview of his sound HERE

Gianni Gardner, guitar

McKenzie McCarthy, tenor sax

Francesco Pollon, piano

Conway Campbell Jr., bass

Peru Eizagirre, drums

Learn more our about entire line up of concerts HERE

We're celebrating the 20th season of Baby Grand Jazz with the support of a generous three-year sponsorship from The Kaman Foundation. Our free series features accomplished jazz musicians and bands from around the region. 

Celebrating Black History Month

Come on by our Park Street Branch and check out this stunning window display put together in celebration of Black History Month.

Sharing a month of programing that honors and celebrates the rich cultural heritage and triumphs of Black people and communities.

Black History Month - Honoring the Legacy of African American Artists

Thursday, February 15, 4 - 5 p.m.

Camp Field Branch - All Ages

Honoring African American history and culture through the works of Harlem Renaissance artists, with a focus on Jacob Lawrence. Paint a story of an event in your life in panels.

Celebrating Black Voices

Friday, February 16, 11 a.m. story time, crafts 4 - 5pm.

Barbour Branch - All Ages

Celebrating Black voices during Black History Month with stories.

Learn more about all the programming we have planned for the month HERE

GATHER

We're hosting a series of events that goes beyond the music and explores themes of migration, history, women's representation in jazz and more.

Up First:

Hartford Jazz: Then and Now: The Generation Gap

Saturday, February 17, 2 - 4 p.m.

Downtown Library

Haneef N. Nelson and Andrew Wilcox will moderate a panel discussion about the Jazz Scene in Hartford and discuss the widening generation gap between musicians that seems to exist here. We will be looking to start a conversation around solutions for how we can move forward while also taking questions from the audience.

Learn more HERE

Presented in partnership with the Greater Hartford Arts Council.

We're Having a Party!

Let's Make History Together!

Celebrating 250 incredible years of knowledge, community, and fun at Hartford Public Library! Join us as we take our birthday bash to all our neighborhood branches. Expect cake and engaging activities!

Upcoming Celebration:

250th Anniversary Celebration

February 22, 5:30 - 7 p.m.

Downtown Library

Center for Contemporary Culture

RSVP by February 14 HERE

It's Library Lovers Month!

February is devoted to celebrating libraries and we are here for all of it.

We got a few ideas on how you can help us celebrate:

1. Make a list of all the books you want to read for the year
2. Thank a librarian
3. Write a love letter to your favorite author
4. Begin to put on paper that story you've had in you for a long time
5. Read that classic novel you never read (or pretended to read in high school)
6. Encourage a friend to get a library card

Tell you favorite Librarian how you are celebrating!

P.S. Fun Fact: The most stolen book in the world is the “Guinness Book of World Records.”

Enriching the learning experiences for educators and students.

Made possible through the Boundless Partnership between Hartford Public Library and Hartford Public Schools, the HPL's YOUmedia Hartford team visited the Admin Institute at Sports and Medical Sciences Academy to facilitate a Virtual Reality experience for all 38 principals from Hartford Public Schools. 

Educational leaders participated in a Martin Luther King, Jr. Virtual Reality Experience, where they could walk alongside Dr. King and witness pivotal moments of the civil rights movement firsthand and interact with digital objects in real time. 

This innovative experience hopes to encourage the use of educational technology in the classroom as both an instructional and assessment tool.

Learn more about YOUmedia HERE

A Place Like No Other

HPL offers engaging, educational, and fun programming for all ages.

Check out our calendar of programming HERE and head to your favorite branch!

Check out some of our upcoming programming:

Security Guard Card Class

Wednesday, February 14, 8:30 a.m.- 4 p.m.

Albany Branch - For Adults

Completion of this one-day program will qualify candidates to apply for a Security Officer ID card issued by the State of Connecticut Department of Emergency Services & Public Protection. Register HERE

Dungeons and Dragons

Thursday, February 15, 3 - 5 p.m.

Albany Branch - For our Teen Friends

Experience D&D magic. Unleash creativity, master storytelling, characters, and dungeon mastering.

Math Tutoring

Saturday, February 17, 12:30 - 3:30 p.m.

Downtown Library - For Adults

Tutoring in math topics for students preparing for the GED and other adult learners

All Branches are closed Monday, February 19

 in honor of Presidents' Day

“I've been to middle school so you can't really hurt me.”

―Kiley Reid, Such a Fun Age