Sunshine & Smiles


A kick-off for the history books!

A parade to remember


We had a blast at our Summer Learning Kick-Off on Saturday, June 1. Thank you to all those that came to celebrate with us and we can't wait to "Read Through Time" with you this summer! Shout out to Hartford Public Schools for teaming up again with us this year to promote literacy in our City.


With over 300 attendees, we walked the block in style. Thank you to the Hartford Proud Drill Drum & Dance, Kemet the Time Traveler, mascots from the Hartford Yard Goats and Hartford Athletic, Anne Cubberly's Mother Earth giant puppet, and Stilt Walker Melissa Craig, for leading the way and for everyone who dressed to impress!


Our Summer Reading Challenge runs from June 17 - August 17. Register today!

Learn More About Our Summer Reading Challenge Here!

Missed the celebration? Don't worry, the party is coming to your favorite HPL branch

Ropkin's Library

1750 Main Street

Monday, June 10 | 4 - 4:45 p.m.


Dwight Library

7 New Park Avenue

Tuesday, June 11 | 3 - 5 p.m.


Park Street Library @ the Lyric

603 Park Street

Thursday, June 13 | 1 - 3 p.m.


Albany Library

1250 Albany Avenue

Friday, June 14 | 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.


Camp Field Library

30 Campfield Avenue

Friday, June 14 | 2 - 3 p.m.

From left: Bridget E. Quinn, HPL President and CEO, Arunan Arulampalam, Mayor of Hartford, and David Barrett, HPL Board Chair

Special thanks to our partners, the City of Hartford, Real Art Ways, Read to Grow Bookmobile, Hartford Fire Department, Hartford Police Department, RSCO, CT State Library, CT Children's Museum, Hartford Behavioral Health, Hartford Decides, Hartford Athletics, Hartford Yard Goats and Berkins on Main.

HPL Book Recommendations:


Join us as we take pride in reading this Pride Month

Greta & Valdin

Rebecca K. Reilly


A New York Times Editiors' Choice


"Generous [and] tender. . . Reilly’s warm, overflowing novel defies categorization because its characters are too complex and multifaceted to be easily summed up. They’re too alive in their messiness. If this novel shows us anything, it’s that love—of family, of romantic partners, of community—is most joyful when it’s without limits."

—New York Times


"Quintessentail rom-com meets the delicious family sprawl of a Russian classic."

—Vanity Fair


Find it HERE in our catalog

Young Mungo

Douglas Stuart


A New York Times Editiors' Choice


". . .Stuart writes beautifully, with marvelous attunement to the poetry in the unlovely and the mundane . . . The novel conveys an enveloping sense of place, in part through the wit and musicality of its dialogue."

New York Times


"Romantic, terrifying, brutal, tender, and, in the end, sneakily hopeful. What a writer."

Kirkus Reviews





Find it HERE in our catalog

For The Love Of Learning


And a new English learning summer program!

From the left: Dr. Edna Levy, Program Manager for Immigrant and Refugee Youth, The American Place and, Chance Gikundiro, student in English Learner Success from CREC Academy of Computer Science and Engineering.


A celebration of English Learning


HPL’s The American Place (TAP) hosted over 125 high school students, families, tutors, and teachers gathered for a celebration of English Learning on May 28. Students received certificates, $25, $50, and $100 gift cards, kindles, and new laptops in recognition of their hard work in the two after school programs at HPL.


This summer, HPL is offering a program for English Learners with a $1,000 college scholarship opportunity. Recent high school graduates who are aiming for post-secondary training or college education are invited to attend our 5-week summer program. Students will receive English language enrichment and college readiness skills. Upon completion of the program, students will earn a $1,000 scholarship. Thank you to the Opportunity for All USDE Congressional Grant for funding this summer programing!


For more information please contact Edna Levy, 860-324-2836.

English Learner Success provides afterschool enrichment to Bulkeley High School students who are newcomers and non-native English speakers. Next Steps to College is a new program for high school seniors in the Hartford area that is funded by Opportunity for All, from the US Department of Education Congressional Grant.

Learn More About TAP Here

Jazzing All June


Jazz 201 continues!

Join Dr. Emmett Goods, Professor and Coordinator of Jazz at the University of Rhode Island and a former Hartford Native as he presents on important cities and neighborhoods in the growth and development of Jazz.


Dr. Emmett Goods received his Bachelor's Degree from the Hartt School, Master's Degree from Georgia State, and his Doctorate Degree from the University West Virginia University.


There's two chances this month to catch this Jazz 201 program! No advanced registration is required and light refreshments will be served.


Mondays, June 10 & June 17

6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Center for Contemporary Culture

Downtown Library, 500 Main Street


Please enter through the Library's Arch Street entrance only.


Jazz 201 is Presented by the Richard P. Garmany Fund

Park is Blooming


An early summer refresh!

Pictured from the left: Nancy Mendez, HPL Youth Librarian, Elvis Bici, HPL Facilities Manager, Kathy Kraczkowsky GCH Member, Laura Barrera, Volunteer, Donna Stout, HPL Ambassador & GCH Member, Mem Morrisey GCH Member, Katie Nixon, GCH President, Susan Rathgeber, GCH Member, Al Gatti, GCH Member, and Carrie Hammond, HPL Ambassador & GCH Member


The Garden Club of Hartford (GCH) designed and planted a sustainable garden in the Fromson Courtyard at the Park Street Library @ the Lyric on May 22. They planted over 100 perennials!


GCH will also be purchasing garden carts for the children's department to teach children about gardening. Children will be able to plant seeds, tend to them and harvest what grows!


HPL is grateful to GCH for their support.

A Place Like No Other


HPL offers engaging, educational, and fun programming for all ages.

Check out our programming calendar HERE

Register to Vote @ HPL

Register to vote at Barbour or any of your favorite branches. Assistants will be provided.

Friday, June 7 | 2 - 4 p.m.

Barbour Library, 261 Barbour Street


Meet Me At The Wadsworth For Juneteenth

Second Saturdays of the month are FREE for families. Join Leap Into Learning for an afternoon of recognition and activities honoring Juneteenth. Registration is required.

Saturday, June 8 | 12 - 2 p.m.

Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, 600 Main Street


Crafting Wellness: Brain Health and Disease Risk

June is Alzheimer's Awareness Month, join us to learn about brain health, genetics, lifestyles and research studies in health care. Registration is required.

Tuesday, June 11 | 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Camp Field Library, 30 Campfield Avenue


“Here was yet another person telling him what he needed, how he should act, the person he should be. Another person who didn't think he was enough just as he was.”


―Douglas Stuart, Young Mungo


The Result Are In: Check your answers from last week's quiz. Thank you for participating!

True or False: Albany Library's computer usage increased by 99% in April.

Answer: True

How many items did the Barbour Library circulate in April?

Answer: 1,241 items

How many customer visits did the Camp Field Library enjoy in April?

Answer: 3,278 visits

Will you join Hartford Public Library's 250x250 Challenge? 


We're seeking 250 contributors to celebrate our 250th anniversary

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