Upcoming Highlights

Saturday, April 11:

A hypertension workshop and panel discussion hosted by Hartford Health Initiative for those who want to learn how to stabilize or prevent a high blood pressure diagnosis, discover helpful resources, and more.

Albany Library | 1250 Albany Avenue | 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Monday, April 13:

Come get your hands dirty with the The Children's Museum at the Camp Field Library for April break as we explore environmental science through worms, dirt, and bugs! Lunch will be provided after the program. Register HERE.

Camp Field Library | 30 Campfield Avenue | 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.

Tuesday, April 14:

Participants are guided through mindfulness, reflection, and art-making to explore their personal “vibe” hosted by Kamora’s Cultural Corner. Register HERE.

Downtown Library, Center for Contemporary Culture | 500 Main Street | 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, April 15:

Join us for the first Big Read Creative Writing Workshop. Attendees will explore environmental and food justice inspired by Bite by Bite by Aimee Nezhukumatathil. Register HERE.

Albany Library | 1250 Albany Avenue | 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

For more fun and engaging programs and events, click the buttons below!

Baby Grand Jazz



This Sunday with Hidemi Akaiwa - Sound & Space!

Japanese pianist and composer Hidemi Akaiwa began piano at age three, winning numerous classical competitions. At the age of 30, she transitioned from a traditional corporate career to jazz, earning a full scholarship to Berklee College of Music and participating in the Global Jazz Institute, Jazz and Gender Justice Program, and Planet MicroJam Institute. 

Sunday, April 12 | 3:00 p.m.

Doors open at 2:00 p.m.

Downtown Library

500 Main Street

Thank you to our 2026 presenting sponsor, The Kaman Foundation, for their generous support, and to our longtime partners, The Hartford Jazz Society and WWUH 91.3 FM, for helping us bring incredible music to the community every week

Book Recommendations

Shout

Laurie Halse Anderson

A New York Times bestseller and one of 2019's best-reviewed books, a poetic memoir and call to action from the award-winning author of Speak, Laurie Halse Anderson!

"Shout serves as both a testament to the life-altering, lifesaving impact of these types of stories - and as an urgent and brutal reminder of their ongoing necessity."

—The New York Times

Find it HERE in our catalog

The Free Verse Society

Delali Adjoa

"The author explores heavy topics like addiction, parental death, and domestic abuse with nuance. A touching, vulnerable romance navigating gut-wrenching conflict to deliver the ultimate relief of catharsis."

—Kirkus Reviews



Find it HERE in our catalog

"Too many grown-ups tell kids to follow their dreams like that's going to get them somewhere Auntie Laurie says follow your nightmares instead cuz when you figure out what's eating you alive you can slay it."

—Laurie Halse Anderson, Shout

April is Poetry Month

Haiku your way through April. Every Friday at our Downtown Library we feature a different Haiku on the intercom. Here are a few you might have missed:

Good news happens here!

Hartford's ready for you!

Good news happens here!

-Keith McGilvery, The Good News Guy

La Primavera

Llega con Esperanza

Vide nueva

-Priscilla Pandozzi, HPL's Community Health Coordinator

Brahms' Third

Get two free tickets from our partners at Hartford Symphony Orchestra to Brahms' Third.

About the performance:

Featuring works by Berlioz, Brahms, and Clarice Assad, blends intensity and expression. Berlioz’s King Lear Overture makes its HSO debut, capturing the play’s power struggles with dramatic orchestration.

Friday, April 10 & Saturday, April 11 | 8:00 p.m. Sunday, April 12 | 3:00 p.m.

The Bushnell Performing Arts Center

166 Capitol Avenue

Big Read Kickoff Celebration



Celebrate the launch of Big Read! Enjoy live music, poetry, a 360 photo booth, activities, and more. All ages are welcome.

Register HERE.

Friday, April 10 | 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Downtown Library

Atrium

500 Main Street

HPL’s Big Read will center around Bite by Bite by acclaimed author Aimee Nezhukumatathil and the companion children’s book Anni Dreams of Biryani by Namita Moolani Mehra and Chaaya Prabhat.

The National Endowment for the Arts Big Read is a dynamic, citywide reading initiative that promotes community connection through literature, running through Wednesday, May 20.

CT Humanities and Freedom Trail

A presentation of renowned storyteller Andre Keitt portrays William (Billy) Lee, an enslaved American man who served as George Washington's personal assistant before, during, and after the American Revolution.

Registration is required.

Thursday, April 16 | 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.

Downtown Library

Center for Contemporary Culture

500 Main Street

Resources & Services

Fight Hunger: 

Facing food insecurity? Here's help:

• Text "211Food" to 898211
• Enter your zip code when prompted
• Identify an open food pantry near you
• For more information, click HERE.

Free Medical Rides: 

HPL + Bus or Car Rides = FREE rides to medical appointments for Hartford residents 18+. Contact us or have your provider contact us to schedule transportation to your next verified medical appointment. This service is for those who do not have a transportation benefit through their insurance provider. Please call: (860) 840-1264 for more information.

Free English Classes: 

Participants must be 18+ and not enrolled in high school. Classes will be held at the Downtown Library, 500 Main Street, on weekday mornings and evenings. To pre-register, please contact HPL's The American Place (TAP) via text at (860) 916-7417, call (860) 695-6337, or email esl@hplct.org.

Are you a parent with a busy schedule?

Enhance your English skills while your child participates in fun, educational activities. We will provide free childcare, bus passes, snacks, prizes, and a safe space. Children must be at least 2.5 years old and no older than 5 years old.

Classes will be held:

Mondays & Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Downtown Library | 500 Main Street

OR

Park Street Library @ the Lyric | 603 Park Street

Contact HPL's TAP via text at (860) 916-7417 or call (860) 916-7417 for more information.

Apply for English classes HERE.

Your support makes a difference.