There's Still Time to Win!

So far this month, we have 348 new and 52 renewed library cardholders. Welcome and thanks for loving your Library! There is still time to enter for your chance to win.

This month only, if you visit any HPL location to sign up for a library card or renew your existing card, you will be entered into a raffle for a chance to win a FREE iPad.

We will select the winner at the end of September 2026.

Upcoming Highlights

Wednesday, September 23

Move your body an learn the latest line dances. Register HERE.

Downtown Library, Atrium, Ground Floor | 500 Main Street | 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, September 24

For adults age 50+ seeking employment, career changes, or professional development opportunities. Join us at the Next Chapter Success, a 3-day workshop designed to help you navigate a career change. Register HERE.

Downtown Library, Travelers Center for Arts & Culture, First Floor | 500 Main Street | 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Friday, September 25

The People of Goodwill will be performing live on the terrace. Enjoy good music surrounded by the community on your lunch break.

Downtown Library, Terrace | 500 Main Street | 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.

Wednesday, September 30

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, come by and enjoy the movie Encanto in Spanish. Snacks provided. All ages welcome.

Dwight Library | 7 New Park Avenue | 3:15 - 5:15 p.m.

Thursday, October 1

Hispanic Heritage Month meet and greet presented by Latinos en Connecticut. Register HERE.

Downtown Library, Travelers Center for Arts & Culture, First Floor | 500 Main Street | 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

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

"The Librarians" Film Screening and Discussion

Hartford Public Library is pleased to bring "The Librarians" Oscar-nominated and Emmy-award winning Producer, Janique Robillard, to Connecticut for a special screening at its Downtown Library! 

Winner of a 2026 Emmy, the documentary follows school and public librarians on the front lines of the national fight against book bans and censorship in the U.S.

After the screening, the Library will host a discussion with Janique Robillard and Samantha Lee, Co-chair of the Connecticut Library Association's Intellectual Freedom Committee. They'll discuss the film and the audience will hear updates after Connecticut policymakers signed a Freedom To Read law in 2025. The law requires public and school libraries to adopt clear, written policies outlining how materials are selected and how challenges to those materials are handled.

This free event coincides with the American Library Association's Banned Books Week which celebrates the freedom to read while raising awareness about censorship.

Registration is encouraged.

Thursday, October 8 | 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Downtown Library

Garmany Hall, First Floor

500 Main Street

Pictures one the left: Janique Robillard, Emmy-award winning producer. Photo by Tommaso Boddi / Stringer

Pictured on the right: Samantha Lee, Co-chair of the Connecticut Library Association's Intellectual Freedom Committee

Book Recommendations

Ply

Hernan Diaz



"Ply is majestic. A cracked mirror world, a lot like ours; peopled by survivors, a lot like us; sentences so fine they break the skin; a plot that swerves through loss, love, trust, betrayal, art, science, society and control."

—David Mitchell, British comedian and actor

Find it HERE in our catalog.

Migrant Heart

Reyna Grande



"This provided an opportunity for introspection and change which she chronicles in an essay that delves deeply into questions of language, an often a painful conundrum for Spanish-speaking immigrant families. Photographs from Grande’s past and her family life enrich a book that will delight Grande's fans as well as all readers who enjoy thoughtful memoirs."

—Booklist Online



Find it HERE in our catalog.

Arts & Culture Tickets

With your library card, you can enjoy free tickets to some of the season's most popular performances. Through our partnerships with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, Hartford Stage, and The Bushnell, cardholders have access to a variety of shows.

Don't wait, tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis and go quickly. While you're exploring these offers, be sure to check out our museum passes, too!

Your Career In Tech Starts Here

Get a FREE CompTIA A+ training certificate to jump-start your IT career.

Testimonial:

"It has been almost a year with all of you, and I appreciate every lesson, every challenge, and every moment. This program has given me knowledge, experience, and motivation to continue growing professionally."

Classes are held on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at West Middle School, 44 Niles Street.

Film Screening

The Extraordinary Caterpillar, a film by Jeff McKay, follows the scientists and community activists as they take a peek into the dazzling world of nature’s tiniest superheroes. 

Watch the trailer HERE.

Registration is encouraged.

Saturday, September 26 | 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.

Downtown Library

Travelers Center for Arts & Culture, Main Floor

500 Main Street

Make Money with Food

This 1-hour info session introduces the ServSafe certification. Learn how the program works, ask questions about food service careers and register.

No experience is required. Registration is encouraged.

Tuesday, September 29 | 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.

Downtown Library

Business Resource Center, First Floor

500 Main Street

Merch Called

And this is our sign to pick up! Jump into fall with our cozy embroidered dad hats and keychains, car magnets, and stickers.

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

Shop the collection today!

Resources & Services

Voter Registration: 

Your vote matters — Register to vote at any HPL location. For more information, please visit the front desk or click HERE.

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.

Your support makes a difference.