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Something's Brewing
We are officially less than two weeks away from our annual Books and Brews, and we are excited to announce the 2025 Hartford Public Library (HPL) brew, the HPL Stacks Spritzer. A crispy and refreshing apple fall spritzer that is beautifully balanced with sweet, tart, and bubbly notes. A special thank you to our partners, J Under the Dome, for creating the perfect fall brew. Try it at Books & Brews on Tuesday, September 16.
This is a ticketed event. All proceeds will go to support HPL programming.
For more information, please contact Jessica Dolan, HPL's Assistant Director of Development, at jdolan@hplct.org or 860.695.6325.
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Tuesday, September 16 | 5:30 - 8:00 p.m.
J Under the Dome
1 Sequassen St, Hartford, CT 06106
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The Personal Librarian
Marie Benedict
Instant New York Times Bestseller | A Good Morning America Book Club Pick of 2019
". . . resounding tale of a brilliant and resilient woman defying sexism, classism, and racism during the brutality of Jim Crow. Benedict and Murray do splendidly right by Belle in this captivating and profoundly enlightening portrayal."
—Booklist Online
"An excellent piece of historical fiction that many readers will find hard to put down."
—Library Journal
Find it HERE in our catalog
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The Librarianist
Patrick deWitt
National Bestseller of 2024
"deWitt creates an endearing character in Bob Comet, who, at the age of 72, and after a lifetime of low expectations, finds life's answers and the friends he deeply needs. This novel begs to be read."
—Library Journal
"This one gradually takes hold until it won’t let go. "
—Publishers Weekly
Find it HERE in our catalog
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All Aboard
Did you know you can use your Connecticut library card at other libraries in the state? Travel by train and explore the libraries of the Hartford Line for a chance to win a library swag bag and to pick up other prizes along the way!
Each library along the Hartford Line is just a short scenic walk from its town’s train station. Drive, bike, or walk to your closest station and enjoy the benefits of public transit as you ride the rails through central Connecticut. Embark on a journey to discover the unique characteristics and services offered at each library along the way.
How to participate:
- Pick up a guidebook at one of four participating libraries for more information and to begin your journey at Hartford Public Library's Downtown Library, Wallingford Public Library, Meriden Public Library, or Windsor Public Library
- Show your train tickets at each of the four participating libraries to receive a stamp and a small prize
Once you receive all four stamps, return your guidebook to any of the participating libraries by October 7 to be eligible for the grand prize drawing.
Contest runs from September 2 to September 30!
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Library & Stitch
HPL partners with Hartford Stitch to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States with their America’s Tapestry project. Lend your hand in stitching a panel that represents CT as one of the original 13 colonies. Supplies will be provided, but you are welcome to bring anything else you may need.
No experience necessary.
Saturday, September 6 | 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Downtown Library
Atrium
500 Main Street
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Public Library Safety Summit
For two days, HPL's Downtown Library is excited to host Library Journal's Public Library Safety Summit on Thursday, September 11, and Friday, September 12. The summit will feature interactive sessions on safety, emergency preparedness, crisis response, legal considerations, and community partnerships. Library directors and safety and facilities leaders from major North American library systems can gain practical solutions, hands-on strategies, and lasting connections to support your library’s safety goals.
This is a ticketed event and is only open to library professionals.
Who should attend: Library directors, chief librarians, security heads, HR leaders, facilities directors, public service leaders, and other stakeholders in library safety. The event is designed by and for urban libraries with central libraries and branches in urban environments. However, those from libraries of all sizes and configurations are welcome!
Sponsors: Orange Boy, Inc., Pave Prevention, Quipu, Library focused. Library approved., UNIQUE, and Urban Library Council.
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Thursday, September 11-12| 9:00 a.m.
Downtown Library
500 Main Street
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Congrats Homa!
We are so excited to announce that our very own Homa Naficy, HPL's Executive Director of The American Place (TAP), is being inducted into The Immigrant Heritage Hall of Fame. The 2025 inductees are exceptional individuals whose contributions have enriched CT's legal, education, civic, and cultural landscape.
Homa was chosen for her work with HPL's The American Place, known for its life-changing support for immigrants learning English, preparing for U.S. citizenship, and building brighter futures in America.
Other Inductees:
- Dr. Ali Antar – Founder and Co-President of the Islamic Association of Greater Hartford, Co-Founder of the Muslim Coalition of Connecticut, and Past President of the Islamic Council of New England.
- Atty. Dana Bucin – Honorary Consul of Romania to Connecticut, Founder of the “Connecticut for Ukraine” initiative, and an award-winning immigration attorney.
- Dr. Demetrios Giannaros – Greek-American leader, Deputy Majority Leader and the first foreign-born Deputy Speaker in the Connecticut General Assembly; Former President of the World Hellenic Interparliamentary Association; and Co-Founder of the National Immigrant Heritage Center.
Homa will also be honored at Beyond Words HPL's signature fundraising event on Thursday, November 6. Stay tuned!
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Library Card Sign-Up Month
Visit any HPL location to start exploring the endless opportunities and resources of your Library card today!
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Are you registered to vote? Not sure? Come find out at our voter registration drives on Tuesday, September 16.
- Barbour Library: 9:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- Camp Field Library: 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
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Celebrate Literary Art Aligned 2025 with us and Hartford's L.I.T. this fall! The festival is a family-friendly event featuring crafts, performances, workshops, and more.
Saturday, Sept. 27 | 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Downtown Library
500 Main Street
| | | | 250 Stories is a series of firsthand interviews that explores the personal impact of libraries. Subscribe so you never miss a conversation! | | | | |
Hartford Public Library + Bus or Car Rides = FREE rides to medical appointments for Hartford residents.
Contact us or have your provider contact us to schedule transportation to your next verified medical appointment.
(959) 257-3630 or (860) 840-1264
socialservices@hplct.org
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A Place Like No Other
HPL offers engaging, educational, and fun programming for all ages.
Check out our full programming calendar HERE
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"Why read at all? Why does anyone do it in the first place? Why do I? There is the element of escape, which is real enough—that’s a real-enough comfort. But also we read as a way to come to grips with the randomness of our being alive. To read a book by an observant, sympathetic mind is to see the human landscape in all its odd detail, and the reader says to him or herself, Yes, that’s how it is, only I didn’t know it to describe it. There’s a fraternity achieved, then: we are not alone. Sometimes an author’s voice is familiar to us from the first page, first paragraph, even if the author lived in another country, in another century.”
―Patrick deWitt, The Librarianist
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