Welcome The Kictchen at Futures Inc.

The Kitchen at Futures Inc., has officially opened its doors with a soft opening on Thursday, March 5 at HPL's Downtown Library

Library visitors, UConn Hartford students, faculty, staff, and downtown residents and visitors are able to enjoy a diverse selection of hot and cold beverages, breakfast and lunch offerings, grab-and-go items, and daily specials at accessible price points. The café is open Mondays through Saturdays, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Find a preview of the menu HERE.

Upcoming Highlights

Monday, March 16:

Inspired by Gordon Parks, students will study the history and style of street photography around Albany Library.

Albany Library | 1250 Albany Avenue | 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Tuesday, March 17:

The Health Collective offers free testing every other Tuesday. No appointment needed.

Park Street Library @ the Lyric | 603 Park Street | 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.



Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at the Library with a cozy, hands-on baking and tasting program just for adults! Along the way, we’ll share fun facts and the history behind St. Patrick’s Day. Register HERE.

Albany Library | 1250 Albany Avenue | 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday, March 18:

Decorate the Dwight Library for spring by adding a flower to our community mural! Artists of all ages are invited to get creative and help us paint the windows.

Dwight Library | 7 New Park Avenue | 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.

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

Baby Grand Jazz



Winner of the Great American Jazz Piano Competition, pianist and composer, Laszlo Gardony has been noted for his “fluid pianism” by The New York Times, and the legendary Dave Brubeck called him “a great pianist.” Two of his albums made DownBeat Magazine’s “Best of the Year” list. 

Can’t make it in person? Watch the live stream on HPL's YouTube, HPL’s Facebook, or on HPATV.

Sunday, March 15 | 3:00 p.m.

Doors open at 2:00 p.m.

Downtown Library

Center for Contemporary Culture

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

The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes

Chanel Cleeton

2025 Goodreads Choice Award Nominee

"This captivating story is an ode to book lovers!"

—Woman's World

Find it HERE in our catalog

Lovely One

Kentaji Brown Jackson

New York Times Bestseller

"A billowingly triumphant American tale."

—New York Times

Find it HERE in our catalog

Other Side Film

Join us for a screening and discussion of Other Side, a documentary that premiered to sold-out crowds at the 2025 South by Southwest Film Festival. It follows the journey of Connecticut’s own Lynda Bluestein, a lifelong activist, facing a terminal cancer diagnosis. This is a patient-directed end-of-life film that provides choice, dignity, and peace of mind.

View the trailer HERE.

Saturday, March 28 | 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Downtown Library

Center for Contemporary Culture

500 Main Street

Author Talk

An evening author talk with Laura Tillman, the author of the James Beard award-winning biography, The Migrant Chef: The Life and Times of Lalo García, which follows the journey of an acclaimed Mexico City chef from his origins in rural poverty to his migration and deportation from the U.S. The book was selected for best-of-the-year lists by The New Yorker and NPR, and was recently published in Spanish by Penguin Random House. Light refreshments will be served.

Registration is required.

Wednesday, March 18 | 6:00 - 7:15 p.m.

Downtown Library

Center for Contemporary Culture

500 Main Street

Seed Starting Workshop

A hands-on workshop led by local farmers from KNOX. Learn the basics of starting seeds at home, including how to care for them while we wait for planting season. This program is beginner-friendly and for all ages.

 Registration is required.

Sunday, March 21 | 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Albany Library

1250 Albany Avenue

ServSafe Certification

Ready to take the next step in your food service career? The ServSafe Food Handler Certification can help you secure employment and advance in the industry. The best part is, classes are free!

Every Tuesday & Thursday starting March 19 - April 2 | 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Downtown Library

Classroom 141

500 Main Street

Resources & Services

Warming Centers: 

All HPL locations are welcoming warming centers during the winter months. Stop by to read, relax, and enjoy everything the Library has to offer. Click HERE for hours and locations.

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. Please call: (860) 840-1264.

Your support makes a difference.