On Thursday, July 13, all HPL locations normally open at 9:00 am, will open to the public at 9:30 am

This 30-minute delay in opening for most HPL locations will allow Library employees to attend a quarterly all-staff meeting. The Ropkins Library will open at 10 am for its regularly scheduled hours. Thank you!

Annnd... we launched.

NASA has landed!

We unveiled Moon, Mars, and Beyond on Thursday, a new series of exhibits at HPL, teaching visitors about NASA’s next steps in space exploration and showcasing information about the upcoming Artemis missions.

Locations and activities include:

Albany – Astronaut obstacle course, Mars rover game kiosk & more

Barbour – Wind tunnel, interactive voting station & more

Camp Field – Banner about life in space, a quiz game kiosk & more

Dwight – Astronaut habitat simulated environment & more

Park – green screen kiosk, hydroponic garden & more

Ropkins – interactive coloring wall, game kiosk, & more

Learn more about our NASA exhibit HERE

Watch coverage of our launch party on WTNH HERE

Check all the entire summer of activities HERE

Books you need on your summer reading list

The Last Thing He Told Me

Laura Dave

Perfect summer reading. A page turning thriller with an ending you'll never see coming. (Now a featured series on Apple TV!)

“Mysteries unspool at a steady pace... riveting.”—Publisher’s Weekly

“Fast-paced... but heartfelt."—The New York Times, "Inside the Best-Seller List"

The Mothers

Brit Bennett

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Vanishing Half, a novel about young love and a big secret in a small community.

“Brit Bennett is so bracingly talented on the page." —Jezebel

“This book is something special: sage and sad and spectacular. ” —Bookriot

We've got The Beat!

Who's on The Beat? Listen to this great playlist from local artists like Jonathan Barber, The Lost Tribe and Lee Mixashawn Rozie! Listen here

Think you or a band you know should be on The Beat? We're accepting submissions!

Submit to The Beat by August 31st

Learn more and submit HERE

3-2-1... Blast off

Make your own rocket

Watch how rockets work before making your very own straw rocket to play with!

Wednesday, July 12, 1:30-2:30 pm

Dwight Branch

Feelin' Groovy? Let's Tie-Dye

Out of this world, tie-dye your own tote bag.

Thursday, July 13, 1:00-2:30 pm

Dwight Branch

All ages

You matter

(truly you do)

Spaces: Exploring Self-Care and Well-being with Danessa

Espacios: Explorando el Autocuidado y el Bienestar

Explore and learn about the importance of creating spaces for yourself, both physically and emotionally.

Thursday, July 13, 4:00-5:45 pm

Park Street Library @ the Lyric - Park Branch Cafe

Register HERE

Elevate your morning coffee

Make your own 12oz mug-Pottery Workshop with The Claypen

Haga su propia taza de 12 oz-Taller de cerámica con Claypen

Saturday, July 15, 10:30 am - 12:00 pm

Park Street Library @ the Lyric - Park Branch Cafe

Professional instructor and all materials provided free

Register HERE (only 8 seats remaining)

Road Trip!

Visit to Lutz Children's Museum in Manchester

Monday, July 17, 9:30 am - 12:30 pm

Lutz Children's Museum

Bus pick up at the Albany Branch.

Register HERE (only 7 seats remaining!)

Learn more about this interactive and engaging children's museum HERE

Ground Control to Major Tom

International Space Station Explorers: Space Music - All Ages

Monday, July 17, 2:00-3:30 pm

Camp Field Branch

Take a trip to the International Space Station and learn about NASA's Sonification Project, that turns images of the universe into sounds. Create a spacey painting listening to the space music.

Calling All Musicians

HPL's Baby Grand Jazz Series

We're seeking submissions from local and regional musical artists to be part of our 2024 Baby Grand series. Ensembles must include a pianist who will play HPL’s grand piano. 

Submission deadline for the 2024 series is August 1, 2023.

Learn more and submit HERE

Join us on the patio!

Visit us on the Library's Downtown Patio every Monday. Library on Wheels, library cards, browsing and patio seating.

(Our Downtown Library is not yet open but our terrace is!)

Mondays, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Weather permitting

“Oh girl, we have known littlebit love. That littlebit of honey left in an empty jar that traps the sweetness in your mouth long enough to mask your hunger. We have run tongues over teeth to savor that last littlebit as long as we could, and in all our living, nothing has starved us more.”

― Brit Bennett, The Mothers