School Choice Information Session

Pre-K to Grade 12 for School Year 2023-24

Gift Basket! Raffles!

Information/Application Session

Tuesday, February 28th 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm

Albany Branch

1250 Albany Avenue

On Time Application Closes Feb. 28 

Contact us at:

(860)-306-9757 or 860-695-7380

EMAIL 

Celebrating Black History Month

The Ugly Cry

Danielle Henderson

Most Anticipated Book of the Summer -Good Morning America (2021)

A beautifully written memoir about a Black woman’s victory over childhood abuse, racism, and mental illness

"Her deeply honest writing is crisp, engaging, and full of life as it examines the complexity of identity, family, childhood, and independence." —Associated Press

“Simultaneously heartbreaking and hilarious” —Time Magazine

The Water Dancer

Ta-Nehisi Coates

#1 New York Times Bestseller

Historical fiction with a strong mystical and magical thread. It is the story of the enslavement of a people and the struggle for freedom.

"[This novel] represents something larger and more profound than the confines of realism could contain.”—The Washington Post

“An electrifying, inventive novel . . . a quintessentially American story of self-creation, doubt, and elevation.”—The Boston Globe

Live Music this Sunday

Ladies Day Jazz Ensemble

The Ladies Day Jazz Ensemble is dedicated to discovering and performing the works of classic and contemporary female jazz composers, played by a crackerjack ensemble of women jazz musicians.

Sunday, February 26th, 3:00 pm

Center Church

675 Main St., Hartford, CT 06103

Seating is first come, first seated, starting at 2 pm each Sunday. No registration is required. Concerts will continue to be streamed on HPL's Facebook page and YouTube channel. Learn more HERE.

In the Presence of Trees

Bring your family for an afternoon of learning about trees and their importance in our lives and local communities, including art and movement workshops, conversation with local tree experts, and two film screenings followed by audience Q&A. Films and talkback will be livestreamed for virtual audiences.

Saturday, February 25th, 1:00-5:00 pm

Park Street Library @ the Lyric

603 Park St.

Tickets are free but limited to 100 guests. Get tickets HERE.

Book Club This Sunday

A comprehensive, inspiring, and all-too-relevant history of the Black Panther Party.

Sunday, February 26

2:00 - 3:00 pm

Book discussion on Zoom- link to follow registration

Register HERE

"A must-read for anyone interested in fighting injustice, this courageous book takes readers beyond what we think we know and provides an objective and insightful view of our nation’s history."—NPR

Thank You Gertrude Banks, Hartford Changemaker.

We're proud to play a part in helping to launch Hartford Black Heroes Trail celebrating Black History Month. The installation along Main Street highlights 19 impactful heroes who made history locally and nationally, and is an extension of the Hartford History Center's Changemakers series. The Library's beloved Gertrude Blanks is one of the 19 Black Heroes on the trail.

Gertrude Banks developed her gift of storytelling and worked at the Hartford Public Library for more than 20 years facilitating story times and continuing that tradition with many schools and organizations seeking her services until her late years of life. She was an inspiration for the many poets and storytellers that followed her legacy.

More information about the heroes honored and interactive map of the trail HERE

Help us find a new look

We're looking for a new logo that can be used throughout our 250th anniversary celebration in 2024 and beyond to build enhanced brand awareness within our community.

Learn more HERE.

Hartford Stage tickets just for you

The Art of Burning

An inspired new comedy exploring the love, rage and responsibility that go with marriage and parenting in America.

You can pick up free passes at your favorite branch or reserve them online HERE beginning February 23rd.

Boundless @ Rawson closed all week

Boundless @ Rawson is closed all week due to school vacation.

We will see you next week!

P.S. Don't forget we have plenty of children's programming happening all week long. You can find out more HERE.

Barbour Branch Temporarily Closed

Barbour is closed until further notice while repairs are made to its heating system.

We are still doing Foodshare at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday 2/23, and the Library on Wheels will be visiting Barbour from 3:00-5:00 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays to provide library services.

Free Covid Vaccinations and Health Screenings

No appointment necessary!

Thursday February 23rd - 10:00 am-2:00 pm

Ages 12 and up

Albany Branch

“I had dreams back then. Big dumb dreams. Dead and gone.”

“And what do you dream of now?” she asked. “After what I just came up from?” I said. “Breathing. I just dream of breathing.”

― Ta-Nehisi Coates, The Water Dancer