Mark Your Calendar

Patio Service is back!

Patio Service at the Downtown Library starts Wednesday, May 1! 

Visit the Patio for books, library cards, events and more. 

Wednesdays and Fridays, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. through October

On the Patio

Downtown Library, 500 Main Street

(Weather Permitting!)

HPL Weekly Book Recommendations:

Check out what we're listening to

We're wrapping up National Poetry Month!

Runaway Dreams

Richard Wagamesse

“[These poems] possess a deep attraction because of the heartfelt honesty instilled in the writing. Wagamese embraces life in a huge bear hug, and his enthusiasm becomes unstoppable.”

—Prairie Fire Review of Books

Find it HERE in our catalog

Plantains and Our Becoming

Melania Luisa Marte

"These lush, fiery, powerful poems celebrate Afro-Latina identity, womanhood, Dominican culture, and so much more. It's a far-reaching collection that feels like both a celebration and a call to action."

—Susie Dumond

Find it HERE in our catalog

Color Me Calm

Adult coloring Thursdays!

Get in on the trend of adult coloring! Kick back, unwind, and let your imagination run wild as you dive into coloring.

Thursday, May 2

12:00 - 2:00 p.m.

Ropkins Library, 1750 Main Street

For Teens and Adults

We're having so much fun on our social media channels



Join us! What are you waiting for?

Workshop with Arte Popular

Crafts Galore!

Arte Popular is a local group of women from Latin America with different skillsets they'd like to share with you.

Saturday, May 4

10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Park Street Library @ The Lyric, 603 Park Street

For Youth, Teens, Family and Adults

Breathe & Read

Mental Health Awareness Kickoff

Did you know fostering appropriate social-emotional learning (SEL) in young children is the gateway to well-balanced mental health in later years? 

Throw on your comfy clothing and sneakers to join us for a wonderful afternoon.

Join us for a read-along with guest author Reesa Shayne, where each participant will receive an autographed book. Plus, enjoy a family yoga session with A Little Yoga LLC, receive a bag of yoga goodies, enter raffles, get your face painted, indulge in healthy snacks and more!

Registration is required. Space is limited to 35 participants.



Saturday, May 4

12:00 -3:00 p.m.

Center for Contemporary Culture (CCC)

Downtown Library, 500 Main Street

Enter through the Library's Arch Street entrance only

Jazz 201

Unsung legends and the Hartford Jazz scene with

Haneef N. Nelson

Professor Haneef N. Nelson will teach a class on unsung legends in Jazz from around the world, as well as discuss history of the Hartford Jazz Scene. Presented by The Richard P. Garmany Fund.

Mondays, May 6 & May 13

6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Center for Contemporary Culture (CCC)

Downtown Library, 500 Main Street

Enter through the Library's Arch Street entrance only

“You will find a map back to yourself”

―Melania Luisa Marte, Plantains and Our Becoming