Way to go CEO!

This past Saturday, March 15, we cheered on Hartford Public Library's (HPL) President and CEO, Bridget E. Quinn, who was honored as Person of the Year in the Greater Hartford St. Patrick’s Day Parade. She was selected because of HPL’s commitment and contributions to our community. 

A huge shout out to Marie Jarry, HPL's Chief Operating Officer, and Martha-Rae Sunshine, Senior Library Assistant at HPL, for marching with Bridget and to our children’s department for making the cutest banner. Thank you all for joining us!

Top Picks

The Life Impossible

Matt Haig

The New York Times Bestseller

"An odyssey of action and awe."

—The New York Times

"A wry and tender love-letter to the best of being human."

—Benedict Cumberbatch, actor

". . . If The Life Impossible was given a label, it would almost certainly be magic realism, one of those oxymorons (along with “cosy crime”) of which we’re terribly fond . . ."

—The Guardian

Find it HERE in our catalog

A Fatal Inheritance: How a Family Misfortune Revealed a Deadly Medical Mystery

Lawrence Ingrassia

Nominated for the National Book Critics Circle Award in Nonfiction | Named a best book of the year by Amazon, NPR, and Kirkus

“This is an emotionally charged narrative about genetic proneness to cancer, the promise of scientific discovery, hope, loss, grief, and, especially, familial love."

—Booklist Online

“An impressive, deeply researched contribution dies of epidemiology and oncology."

—Kirkus Reviews

Find it HERE in our catalog

HPL takes on Metacomet Elementary

“This is the first time I’ve ever met an illustrator and author,” said a fourth-grade student from Ms. Knight's class. 

HPL's Marie Jarry and Natalie Curtis visited Ms. Knight's fourth-grade class at Metacomet Elementary School in Bloomfield to share their book, Caroline Hewins: First Lady of the Library. 

Marie read the book and explained how she used HPL's Hartford History Center for research and photos. Natalie shared her illustrative process through an animated video showcasing the journey from initial sketches to the final product. Marie and Natalie even left Ms. Knight’s class with a signed book!

Get your copy today - visit us in person or check out our online store.

Finanical Literacy Workshop With Patrina Dixon

Join Patrina Dixon, Founder and CEO of It$ My Money, as she hosts an entrepreneurship workshop at HPL's Albany Library.

Learn from a pro how to become an entrepreneur, what to consider when starting a business, and the importance of the current market.

Space is limited. Registration is required.

Thursday, March 20 | 10:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Albany Library

1250 Albany Ave

It doesn't stop there. Patrina is also hosting a side hustle class! Be sure to mark your calendars for Saturday, April 26.

Baby Grand Jazz: Temidayo Balogun

Temidayo Balogun is a talented and versatile pan-African musician with a strong background in jazz and contemporary music. He is from Osun State, Nigeria, and possesses a diverse skill set that includes playing the saxophone, piano, and talking drum. His musical journey began with a rich education at the Muson School of Music in Lagos, Nigeria, followed by further studies at the Longy School of Music in Cambridge, Massachusetts. During his time there, he had the opportunity to learn from renowned artists such as Noah Preminger, Eric Hofbauer, and Ben Schwendener.

Tune in on Sunday!

Sunday, March 23 | 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. (doors open at 2:00 p.m.)

Center for Contemporary Culture

Downtown Library

500 Main Street

Baby Grand Jazz performances are free to the public. Can’t join us in person? Shows will be live-streamed on HPL’s YouTube and Facebook.

Thanks to our 2025 presenting sponsor, The Kaman Foundation, for its continuing support and longtime partners, The Hartford Jazz Society and WWUH 91.3 FM. 

Wicked Sing-a-Long Showing

Are your vocals ready?!

A magical evening at a special sing-a-long showing of Wicked! Bring a friend and sing your heart out while making friendship bracelets.

Friday, March 28 | 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Albany Library

1250 Albany Ave

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!

“People say that love is rare. I am not so sure. What is rare is something even more desirable. Understanding. There is no point in being loved if you are not understood. They are simply loving an idea of you they have in their mind. They are in love with love. They are in love with their loving. To be understood. And not only that, but to be understood and appreciated once understood. That is what matters.”



―Matt Haig, The Life Impossible

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