Anniversary Celebrations Coming Your Way!

HPL 250 Branch Birthday Parties


2024 marks the 250th anniversary of HPL’s founding as the Library Company in 1774. Join us as we take our birthday celebration to all our neighborhood branches. We’ll have cake, activities, storytelling, face painting and so much more. We are so excited to celebrate this milestone and to kick off the next 250 years with you. Be a part of the historic celebration, it’s a party you don’t want to miss!


Next up:

Thursday, January 25, 4 - 5:30 p.m.

Downtown Library

Center for Contemporary Culture


Looking ahead:

Tuesday, January 30, 3 - 4:30 p.m.

Dwight Branch


Check out our full list of 250th parties HERE

Save The Date!

250th Anniversary Celebration

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

Downtown Library

Center for Contemporary Culture


Join us for light refreshments, live entertainment, a celebratory toast and more!


RSVP HERE

HPL Weekly Book Recommendations:

Check out what we're reading


Original and thoughtful novels for the times we live in.

Klara and the Sun

Kazuo Ishiguro

 The New York Times Bestseller

 

A haunting, hopeful novel about life and love in the time of AI.


“A delicate, haunting story, steeped in sorrow and hope.” —The Washington Post


"A masterpiece that will make you think about life, mortality, the saving grace of love: in short, the all of it.” —NPR

The Glitch

Elisabeth Cohen


A funny and smart novel about an overscheduled, overworked woman who has lost control when a "glitch" enters her life.


"Razor-sharp…a hilarious send-up of tech culture and the notion of women 'having it all'." —The New York Post


"Clever, original, and unabashedly silly fun." —Kirkus (Starred Review)

Baby Grand Jazz

Will Goble Quintet Performs This Sunday!

January 28, 3 p.m.

Center for Contemporary Culture (CCC) at the Downtown Library


Will Goble is a bassist, composer, bandleader, and educator. He became interested in jazz and related art forms after growing up within the creative music scene in the Research Triangle area of North Carolina. During his twenty-plus year career, Will has contributed to a number of musical communities and released two albums under his own name. Will's music explores the blues, swing ,and other important grooves born of Black American and Afro-Caribbean musical worlds. Currently based in New Haven, CT, Will performs as a sideman and bandleader.


Learn more about Will (and listen to his music) HERE


Will Goble, bass 

Haneef Nelson, trumpet

Nathan Edwards, tenor sax

Jen Allen, piano

Ryan Sands, drums

Learn more about the entire series 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. 

Join a lively online discussion on an important book about the impact of public school policies on Black Americans.


Punished for Dreaming by Bettina L. Love

A New York Times and a USA Today Bestseller

Sunday, January 28, 2 - 3 p.m.

Register HERE


"An impassioned plea for educational justice.” ―Kirkus Reviews


Hartford Reads in Color, a book club led by Hartford's L.I.T. (Literary Integrated Trailblazers), is committed to delving into the narratives and rich diverse voices of communities of color. From the intellectually astute, to the uncouth and wretched, we are reading with no limits.

See a Show at Hartford Stage

Simona's Search

January 18 – February 11, 2024


Simona’s Search is a riveting exploration of the bond between fathers and daughters, love and sacrifice, nature and nurture. From one of the writers and producers of Netflix’s Ozark comes this gripping world premiere. Learn more HERE


Free tickets are now available to HPL cardholders!

Reserve your tickets HERE

Looking for a New Hobby in the New Year?

Explore your creative side

(without spending any money)


We've got knitting kits, crochet kits, looms, sewing machines, and so much more!


Our Library of Things is a collection of non-traditional items to provide unique opportunities for lifelong learning, discovery, and engagement. It promotes sustainability by encouraging sharing, and the ability to try before you buy.


You can find our entire inventory of "Things" HERE


Why buy when you can borrow?

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:


Pour Paint a Wine Glass & Coaster

Wednesday, January 24, 2 - 3:30 p.m.

Barbour Branch - For Adults

Susan Byars is back to teach how to pour paint a wine glass and coaster.

To register call Irene, 860-695-7401


3D Digital Designing with Tinkercad

Thursday, January 25, 3 - 4 p.m.

Dwight Branch - For Teens

Discover Tinkercad to design 3D projects that can be printed on our 3D printer.


Citizenship Class - Class for immigrants preparing for US citizenship

Saturday, January 27, 2 - 5 p.m.

Downtown Library - Classroom 140

Civics class for US citizenship applicants preparing for the naturalization interview, Oath of Allegiance, and beyond.


“Hope,’ he said. ‘Damn thing never leaves you alone.”

―Kazuo Ishiguro, Klara and the Sun

Will You Join Hartford Public Library’s 250x250 Challenge?
Facebook  Twitter  Instagram  
SUBSCRIBE