Hartford Public Library

09/04/2026

All HPL locations will be closed on Monday, September 7, in observance of Labor Day.

This Saturday, September 5, the Downtown Library will be open; Albany Library and Park Street Library @ the Lyric will be closed.

Locations will reopen on Tuesday, September 8, with regular operating hours.

09/03/2026

The list goes on! Visit any HPL location to sign up for a Library card and explore all of our offerings.

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

09/02/2026

The ArtWalk exhibition "…And My Heart Beats for You" by Traé Brooks closed this past Saturday. Before the closing, Traé welcomed visitors for an engaging artist talk, sharing insights into his creative process, inspirations, and body of work. Attendees also had the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about his approach to art-making.

Next up on the ArtWalk: “art is work / work is art”, opening Friday, September 18.

09/01/2026

Thank you to everyone who spent the afternoon at the Downtown Library for live music, games, refreshments, and community fellowship.

We welcomed People of Goodwill, whose music celebrates African traditions through the power of rhythm and drumming. Their performance created a vibrant atmosphere that brought the community together.

A special thank-you to the Evelyn W. Preston Memorial Fund for their ongoing support of the arts and for helping make programs like this possible.

08/31/2026

Hartford Public Library was recently featured on Metro Hartford Alliance’s Pulse of the Region podcast! Tune in to listen to HPL’s President and CEO Bridget E. Quinn and learn more about some of our resources, like the Hartford History Center, Digital Library Lab, and HPL Studios.

In the episode, we explore how HPL builds community connection and engagement through access, local history, creative expression, and opportunities to learn, make, and share stories.

To listen visit: https://www.metrohartford.com/pulse-of-the-region-cast

08/28/2026

The Hartbeat Salsa Kids brought the moves!

During this fun, entry-level salsa class, students learned basic salsa steps, explored the rich culture and history behind the dance, and practiced coordination and teamwork. Most importantly, they had a blast learning new skills and celebrating Hispanic culture.

Now we're excited to do it all again as we kick off Hispanic Heritage Month!

In the next session, we're celebrating the diversity of Hispanic cultures from across the globe. We encourage attendees to bring a flag representing their heritage and showcase the many cultures that make our community so vibrant.

All skill levels are welcome for youth ages 8-15. Space is limited.

Register here: https://programs.hplct.org/event/17258573

Saturday, September 19 | 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Park Street Library @ the Lyric
603 Park Street

08/27/2026

It's kinda chic to have a Library card

08/26/2026

National Night Out brings neighbors, local organizations, and law enforcement together to strengthen community relationships and foster a true sense of community.

This year, Hartford families had the opportunity to celebrate at events in both the North and South Ends of the city. HPL’s Library on Wheels and staff were proud to participate in the South Hartford event at Goodwin Park, where we shared books, resources, and information with local families.

The evening featured free food, fun activities for all ages, and opportunities for residents to connect with community organizations and public safety officials. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to say hello, explore our resources, and celebrate the power of community with us.

08/25/2026

Intro to Mixing!

This workshop is for participants who have completed the Intro to Studio Technology Workshop or have commensurate recording studio experience. EQ, Compression, Dynamics Processing, Reverb, Delays, Saturation, and more! Attendees must have experience with DAW's. The course will be conducted in Pro Tools.

Register here: https://programs.hplct.org/event/16943125

Wednesday, August 26 | 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Downtown Library
Garmany Hall, Main Floor
500 Main Street

08/24/2026

Sound on for a behind the scenes listen to preservation at work in our digitizing lab. Recorded earlier this year by our spring semester interns, this video offers a glimpse into a day in the Digital Library Lab and the careful, hands-on work that helps preserve and share history.

Do you have a digitization project we can help with? Visit our website to learn more about our services or to get in touch.

New video:

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.