Total Eclipse of the HART 

We are about to experience our second total solar eclipse in seven years.

The path of the eclipse in Hartford will result in approximately 90% of the Sun blocked by the Moon at the high point of the event (around 3:25 p.m.). The Moon will begin to pass in front of the Sun around 2:15 p.m. Monday.

We hear that seeing an eclipse is life changing. Check it off your bucket list while learning and playing outside at the Library.

Monday, April 8 - Multiple Locations

Camp Field Branch

2:30 - 3:30 p.m.

Learn More HERE

Ropkins Branch

2:30 - 4:00 p.m.

Learn More HERE

Albany Branch

3:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Learn More HERE

Barbour Branch

3:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Learn More HERE

Downtown Library

4:00 - 5:30 p.m.

Learn More HERE

Celebrate National Library Week!

Ready, Set, Library! Sunday, April 7th kicks off National Library Week. We take this week to celebrate our Libraries, our resources, our workers and more! Founded as the Library Company in 1774, and over its 250 years, Hartford Public Library has remained at the forefront of redefining the urban library experience in the 21st century.

"HPL will continue to play a critical role in the overall goals of the city of Hartford, ensuring that people have equal access to opportunities, closing the digital divide and ensuring that the basic human right of literacy is something that everyone in our community can obtain and achieve."

—Bridget E. Quinn, HPL President & CEO



Monday, April 8th is Right to Read Day. Book challenges have increased dramatically over the last few years. In 2023, the American Library Association documented 4,240 challenges in schools and public libraries. Almost half of the titles impacted were by or about LGBTQIA+ individuals and people of color.

Protect your Right to Read.

Learn more HERE

HPL Weekly Book Recommendations:

Check out what we're reading

We're Celebrating National Poetry Month!

Above Ground

 Clint Smith

A vibrant and compelling new collection traverses the vast emotional terrain of fatherhood and explores how becoming a parent has recalibrated his sense of the world. A remarkable new poetry collection from Clint Smith, the #1 New York Times bestselling author.

"A gorgeous book...Smith’s pivots and pacing mirror the routes of our lives, and his gentle, attentive poems are downright sacramental" —Nick Ripatrazone, The Millions

Water I Won't Drink

 Kayleb Rae Candrilli

Both radically tender and desperate for change, it's a life raft and a self-portrait, concerned with the vitality of trans people living in a dangerous and inhospitable landscape.

"Evokes the ever-changing topography of American landscapes—from Wildwood, New Jersey to the Grand Canyon—to tap into the beautiful fluidity of their own physical and metaphysical self.” —O, The Oprah Magazine



Baby Grand Jazz



Nino Ciampa & The Hartt Salsa All Stars

April 7

Center for Contemporary Culture (CCC) at the Downtown Library

2 p.m., Doors open to the public (Please come through the Arch Street entrance)

3 p.m., Concert

The Hartt Salsa All-Stars are the first ensemble from the University of Hartford to be devoted exclusively to New York-style salsa music. Nino Ciampa, 19-year-old Boston native of Italian and Cuban descent, serves as the group's bandleader and arranger who also sings and plays percussion for the group. They have performed various times on campus as well as in Willimantic and Coventry. They have played gigs as a salsa septet, a full 20+ piece big band, and everything in between.

We love their sound and their energy! Get a preview HERE

Vocals: Nino Ciampa, Miguel Cardona Jr., Christian Collazo-Román, Jason Cain, Haylee Caserta, & Nick Gastello

Flute: Jillian Powles

Saxes: James Lewis, Dakota Jones, & Michael Dubler

Trumpets: Dylan Ludoviconi, Jonah Bailis, & Jason Cain

Trombones: Tyler Wolfe, Ethan Abrams, & Luke Actie

Piano: Makenna Fowler

Bass: Sam Jacobs

Percussion: Michael Spanedda, Honoka Masuyama, Nate Butler, & Nino Ciampa

Learn more our about entire line up of concerts HERE

We're celebrating the 20th season of Baby Grand Jazz with the support of a generous three-year sponsorship from The Kaman Foundation. Our free series features accomplished jazz musicians and bands from around the region. 

Creating Well-Being. Together.

We are highlighting many of the health and wellness programs at our branches.

Healthy Eating: Plant Based Recipes

Wednesday, April 3

11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Dwight Branch - For Adults

Join Lindsey Kent, registered dietitian, at ShopRite of East Hartford and Manchester for a plant based cooking demonstration and tasting.

Finding Peace in Patterns: Mindful Sewing Workshop

Thursday, April 4

11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Albany Branch - For Adults

Unwind after a busy day by sewing something beautiful and experiencing the therapeutic power of crafting.

Stress & Marginalized Communities in the Workplace

Saturday, April 6

11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Albany Branch - For Adults

A discussion on stress and its impact on marginalized communities led by Hakim Harris. Attendees will have the opportunity to relax by creating loose-leaf tea bags and accessing massage chairs.

For more information and resources on Health and Wellness, click HERE

This project is funded by the National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, under Cooperative Agreement Number U24LM014070 with the University of Iowa, Hardin Library for the Health Sciences, and the University of Pittsburgh, Health Sciences Library System.

Become a Busy Bee This Spring With Creativebug.

Try it for free!

Find inspiration and instruction with Creativebug video classes!

Creativebug offers more than1,000 art and craft video classes taught by recognized design experts and artists. It is a top resource for DIY enthusiasts and makers, and is available to HPL cardholders 24/7 for free!

Try it HERE

“My partner & I only believe

in good omens,

because we are young and gay

and generally unbothered”

—Kayleb Rae Candrilli, Water I Won't Drink