Weekly Updates

from HPL

Hartford Public Library (HPL) brings you something new every week! From author talks and concerts to cooking demos and music production, stay tuned for fun and educational programs for all.

Show Your HPL Pride!

Shop new arrivals! Items include: bumper stickers, car magnets, an embroidered HPL keychain, and embroidered dad hats. Whether you’re traveling, out and about, or visiting the Library, find a new way to celebrate your favorite Library.

Merchandise is available for purchase at our Downtown Library and online.

Shop the collection today!

Learn More Here

Upcoming Highlights

Thursday, August 27

Kick off the school year with fun back-to-school crafts and activities.

Camp Field Library | 30 Campfield Avenue | 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Saturday, August 29

Celebrating queer diasporic artists, transgressing borders, and binaries, featuring Las Mariquitas, New York's queer and trans salsa band. There will be a ceremony, market, and themed workshops. Masks required indoors and will be provided.

Downtown Library | 500 Main Street | 12:00 - 4:00 p.m.

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

FAMILY

YOUTH

ADULT

Early Bird Tickets End 8.31.26

Get your discounted, early-bird ticket to Beyond Words 2026 before the deadline hits on Monday, August 31, 2026.

Beyond Words is HPL's signature annual fundraising event, celebrating the transformative power of libraries.

Featuring: Norah O'Donnell, New York Times Best-Selling Author & Emmy Award-Winning Journalist.

Thursday, November 5 | 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Hartford Marriott Downtown

200 Columbus Boulevard

Purchase Tickets

Book Recommendations

Is This a Cry for Help?

Emily Austin

"Populated with a rescue cat, a social-media sleuthing exercise, questions about homosexuality in birds, and meatballs cooked in a Crock-Pot in a public restroom, this easy-to-read and enjoyable novel gives serious consideration to important questions."

—Booklist Online

Find it HERE in our catalog.

A Library

Nikki Giovanni

"In a touching author's note Giovanni talks about her own childhood experience at the "colored" library, where a special librarian would get her poetry books from the main library."

—The Horn Book Inc.

Find it HERE in our catalog.

"I’m not sure it matters whether life feels meaningful. I think it matters whether you find it worthwhile."

—Emily Austin, Is This a Cry for Help?

Intro to Mixing

This workshop is for participants who have completed the Intro to Studio Technology Workshop or have commensurate recording studio experience. EQ, Compression, Dynamics Processing, Reverb, Delays, Saturation, and more! Attendees must have experience with DAW's. The course will be conducted in Pro Tools.

Registration is encouraged.

Wednesday, August 26 | 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.

Downtown Library

Garmany Hall, Main Floor

500 Main Street

Learn More Here

Business Advising

Meet one-on-one with a business advisor from the Community Economic Development Fund, Connecticut's nonprofit small business lender, to help keep your business successful.

Registration is encouraged.

Tuesday, September 1 | 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Downtown Library

Business Resource Center, Main Floor

500 Main Street

Learn More Here

Monthly Zumba Series

Join us for a fun, high-energy Zumba class held monthly! Please wear comfortable clothing and bring water to keep you hydrated.

Registration is encouraged.

Tuesday, September 1 | 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Downtown Library

Atrium, Ground Floor

500 Main Street

Learn More Here

Next Chapter Success

The Seniors Job Bank of Greater Hartford is hosting Next Chapter Success, a free three-part workshop series designed to help adults age 50+ navigate career transitions and prepare for meaningful employment opportunities.

Participants will gain practical skills in resume development, interviewing, workplace readiness, and more.

Registration is encouraged.

Tuesday, September 22 | 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Downtown Library

Classroom 139, Main Floor

500 Main Street