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On Friday, June 6, we unveiled the brand new Library on Wheels (LOW). This state-of-the-art mobile library brings books, technology, and services directly to the heart of Hartford’s neighborhoods.
Hartford Public Library's (HPL) LOW is committed to bringing a sense of community to all neighborhoods in the city of Hartford and aspires to connect residents with their nearest HPL location by providing services for those who lack access to a library in their neighborhood.
We want to extend our gratitude to the Beatrice Fox Auerbach Fund at The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, Jonathan Gengras, and Gengras Motor Cars for their generous support in helping us to launch the new LOW.
For more information about the LOW, including scheduled stops and services, click here.
Watch our Facebook Live of the ribbon-cutting here
| | Did you miss our Summer Learning Kickoff on Saturday, June 7th? Don't worry, the party doesn't stop. Come party with us at a HPL location. | | |
Adults, we've got you covered with our Adult Summer Learning Challenge! Explore Hartford, HPL programs and collect stamps to complete your raffle card for a chance to win a $250, $100, or $50 Visa gift card, a tote bag and up to four round trip tickets from Breeze Airways!
Pick up a card at a HPL location, complete 9 qualifying activities, and get your stamps. Submit your completed card to a HPL location by Saturday, August 16, for a chance to win!
All participants will receive a Breeze Airways promo code.
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The Emperor of Gladness
Ocean Vuong
New York Times Bestseller | Oprah's Book Club Pick
"Stunning . . . A heartfelt and powerful examination of those living on the fringes of society, and the unique challenges they face to survive and thrive."
—Oprah Winfrey
"Magnificent . . . In writing this book, Vuong may have joined the ranks of an elite few great novelists."
—Leigh Haber, Los Angeles Times
Find it HERE in our catalog
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Open, Heaven
Seán Hewitt
“Anchored by a grounded sense of place and the universal theme of adolescent longing, Hewitt’s narrative strikes a resonant chord. It’s a stunner."
—Publishers Weekly
“A queer coming-of-age novel that achieves rare peaks of lyricism and emotional intensity"
—Kirkus Reviews
Find it HERE in our catalog
| | Musicians We're Looking for You! | | |
HPL is now accepting submissions from musicians interested in performing in its highly popular Baby Grand Jazz Series.
The free concerts are held on Sundays from January through April and have been an HPL staple for the past 20-plus years. All genres are encouraged to apply, ensembles must include a pianist who will play the baby grand piano.
Submissions are now open until Friday, August 1, 2025.
| | Garden Project: Growing Grass Hair | | HPL, in partnership with the Garden Club of Hartford, invites you to see how wild your (grass) hair can get! This is a planting program where you will have your picture taken and pasted on a planting cup. Make sure you visit again to watch the seeds you planted grow and make it look like you have wild hair. For ages 6-12. | | |
Tuesday, June 17 | 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Park Street Library @ the Lyric
Children's Department
603 Park Street
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Check out the events calendar to see what's on the radar. Here's one event you won't want to miss!
Hartford Harmony
Juneteenth celebration on the patio. There will be live music, interactive art, storytelling and more!
Wednesday, June 18 | 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Downtown Library
Patio
500 Main Street
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HPL's Hartford History Center, in partnership with the City of Hartford, proudly announces the return of the 5th installment of the African American Day Parade & Juneteenth Celebration.
Saturday, June 14th at Keney Park
Parade: 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Celebration: 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
We’re bringing the community together for a day of fun, food, and celebration!
Following the parade, the Juneteenth Celebration begins at Keney Park from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. This event is open to the public—bring your friends, family, and appetite! Let’s celebrate freedom, culture, and community together!
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Saturday, June 14
10:00 a.m. parade begins, 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. more celebrations
Global Communications Academy,
85 Edwards Street for the parade
Keney Park for the celebration
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You're invited to an author talk and book signing of Good Times, Ain’t We Lucky We Got ‘Em by Bern Nadette Stanis.
Registration is required.
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Friday, June 13 | 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Downtown Library
Center for Contemporary Culture (CCC)
500 Main Street
| | | Father's Day Weekend Movie Marathon | | | | |
This Father’s Day, discover powerful stories that honor dads, mentors, and father figures. Kanopy’s curated collection features films that explore fatherhood with warmth, humor, and heart. Stream them free with your library card.
Explore the collection here.
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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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The Boundless Library @ Rawson will be closed from Tuesday, June 10, through Monday, July 7, for break and will reopen on Tuesday, July 8.
Starting July 8, Boundless @ Rawson will be open on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. These hours will continue through Thursday, August 14.
Thank you for your patience. We look forward to seeing you this summer!
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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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"Because to remember is to fill the present with the past, which meant that the cost of remembering anything, anything at all, is life itself. We murder ourselves, he thought, by remembering"
―Ocean Vuong, The Emperor of Gladness
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