Special Notice:

As temperatures rise, Hartford Public Library (HPL) serves as a cooling center for the community during the high heat and humidity.

Stay cool with HPL during our regularly scheduled hours.

Fiction That Hits Hard

Bear

Julia Phillips

National Bestseller | New York Times Book Review Editor's Choice

"Thrilling and propulsive, glorious and terrifying. Julia Phillips is a brilliant writer."

—Ann Patchett, American author

"By focusing on the characters' relationships with one another, Phillips brings complicated, very human characters to life in a tale filled with sadness. Literary fiction readers looking for complicated family stories will be immersed in the novel's haunting tragedy. . ."

—Library Journal

Find it HERE in our catalog

Fire Exit

Morgan Tatly

Aspen Words Literary Prize | PEN/Hemingway Award | NPR Books We Love 2024

"A melancholy journey through one man’s damaged past."

—Kirkus Reviews

"A wrenching story of dislocation and regret, sweetened with touches of humor, the novel raises important questions about human connection and belonging."

—Booklist Online

Find it HERE in our catalog

We want your input! We noticed that when our newsletter was sent out last Wednesday morning, there was a higher open and click-through rate.

Comcast Announcement 

On Monday, July 21, Comcast announced a $10,000 grant to HPL Studios, a public recording and film facility dedicated to teaching technical and creative skills to community members. The grant supports a series of free content production workshops, which series includes introductory courses in podcasting, live sound, digital filmmaking and audio production. The workshops will continue through December 10 and are free and open to the public. Interested participants can register through the HPL Studios website.

250 Stories Podcast

Last week, HPL Studios launched its very first podcast, 250 Stories, and this week more episodes are dropping. 250 Stories is a series of firsthand interviews that explores the personal impact of libraries. New episodes every Tuesday. Subscribe so you never miss a conversation!

Make Time for Your Mind

Meditation & Mindfulness

Accompany Pavan Bolla, a certified meditation guide and mindfulness practitioner, for an afternoon of healing. Registration is required.

Wednesday, July 30 | 3:00- 5:00 p.m.

Park Street Library @ the Lyric

603 Park Street

Somatic Abolition & Mindfulness Series

Join us for a transformative wellness series that explores somatic abolition and mindfulness through movement, meditation, and community healing. This series, in partnership with Kamora's Cultural Corner, invites participants to explore what it means to hold space for both personal and communal healing in today’s world. Registration is required.

Thursday, July 31 | 10:30 - 12:00 p.m.

Park Street Library @ the Lyric

603 Park Street

Sunshine & Storytime with Read to Grow

HPL is partnering with Read to Grow to bring you Sunshine & Storytime at Bushnell Park.

Join us to learn more about Read to Grow's Bookmobile and even take a book home, plus free carousel rides for all! For ages 2-5. Older children are welcome.

In the event of rain, we will meet at the Children's Department at Downtown Library.

Monday, August 4 | 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Bushnell Park

1 Jewell Street

The Garden Project

Are you a plant enthusiast? Join us for a fun and educational gardening program in partnership with the Garden Club of Hartford.

Tuesday, August 5| 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Park Street Library @ the Lyric

603 Park Street

HPL Night

A night at the museum, the HPL way! HPL is partnering with the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History for an evening of connecting and learning for the second summer. You'll be able to sign up for a library card, discover more about the Library, visit the Library On Wheels, watch a free film and enjoy a guided tour of Coffee: A Connecticut Story.

Admission is FREE with a library card or proof of Hartford residency. Light refreshments will be served.

Registration is encouraged.

Thursday, August 7 | 4:00 - 7:30 p.m.

1 Elizabeth Street

Hartford

Vision to Learn

Vision To Learn will visit HPL locations offering FREE eye exams and glasses to children ages 5-18.

For eligibility and dates, contact a HPL location to book an appointment or click HERE.

Children & Teens: Click Here

Adults: Click Here

Free Medical Rides

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

A Place Like No Other

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

Check out our full programming calendar HERE

Check out our Family Programming calendar!

Check out our Adult Programming calendar!

Check out our Youth & Teen Programming calendar!

"How strange it is to want something you did not like, or something that seemed a bad part of your life. But maybe, like most things, it wasn’t all bad."

―Morgan Talty, Fire Exit

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