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VOTE NOW! Hartford is in the running for $25,000 in Children’s Books!
Hartford is one of 16 finalists in JetBlue’s 2018 Soar With Reading contest, in partnership with Random House Children’s Books. The winning city will receive $25,000 in Children’s Books. Voting is simple, just go here:  https://soarwithreading.com/book-with-us-2018/ . JetBlue started the Soar With Reading Project in 2011 to encourage reading among young people and get more books into the hands of the kids that need them the most. Since then, JetBlue and its partners have donated $3,000,000 worth of books to deserving youngsters.
Park Library Re-opens

The Park Library re-opened to the public on Thursday, August 2. The library had to be closed for several days due to the partial collapse of a building across the street and its subsequent emergency demolition.
Free Concert & National Night Out

Tuesday, August 7, 6 pm
Albany Library

Klokwize with Better Royals will play a free concert at the Albany Library as part of National Night Out. The event is being held in partnership with the Upper Albany Collaborative and other organizations. National Night Out events are held throughout the country to build stronger relationships between the community and the police. The concert is part of HPL's World of Sounds Summer Concert Series. The series finale will be Monday, August 27, at 2 pm with a concert by the Funky Dawgz Brass Band at the Downtown Library.
Especially For Kids
Surcari

Tuesday, August 7

11 am - 12 noon: Downtown Library

2 - 3 pm: Ropkins Library

Surcari will have you moving and grooving to irresistible Latin beats. Kids can sing, clap, dance and play instruments with the band. Learn all about Latin culture through music.
The Vocal Stylings of Leslie Manselle

Tuesday, August 7, 2PM
Dwight Library

Soloist Leslie Manselle returns to sing the greatest hits of the 1950s and 1960s with the accompaniment of a pianist. Leslie mixes music with her personal anecdotes, brief artist history, and a bright smile.
Voter Registration Days at HPL

Tuesday, August 7 Tuesday, September 25
ALL LIBRARIES

While you can register to vote any day at any Hartford Public Library, HPL will be making a special effort on Tuesday, August 7, and Tuesday, September 25, with volunteers on hand to ease the process. Persons who register on August 7 will be eligible to vote in the Democratic and Republican primaries on August 14. Persons who register on September 25 will be able to vote in the General Election on November 6.
Youth Ending Mass Incarceration: Presentation & Discussion

Tuesday, August 7, 5:30 pm
Downtown Library

Join Youth Ending Mass Incarceration (YEMI) in a community awareness event about the School to Prison Pipeline. Youth, parents, friends and family are welcome to participate in the event and learn about what it means to be a part of the School to Prison Pipeline and how it affects so many of our youth in Hartford. Find out more at: https://indd.adobe.com/view/d428499a-e30e-406f-989f-ee6c580828f4
Especially For Kids

City Beautiful

Wednesday, August 8, 2 - 3 pm,
Camp Field Library

Thursday, August 9, 2:30-3:30 pm,
Downtown Library

Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena is the award-winning story of a child discovering the beauty located right in his own city. Join us to discover this story, adapt it to our own neighborhoods in Hartford to make a community neighborhood collage! (Photo: St. Panteleimon Russian Orthodox Church, Becket Street, Hartford)
Remembering the Glory Days of Hartford Hoops

Thursday, August 9, 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Downtown Library

The authors of "Oh, What A Move: Profiles of Hartford Basketball Players, 1954-1984," Mike Copeland and Howie Greenblatt, will host a panel discussion remembering the unforgettable games and legendary teams of Hartford's golden era of basketball. Whether you're a fan of the Beavers, the Owls or the Bulldogs, don't miss this fascinating evening! Click here for more information: https://indd.adobe.com/view/422e4f26-8fd4-40fa-b228-bc9984f1de11
Meet the Weavers of Block By Design

Monday, August 13, 10:30 - 11:30 am
Hartford History Center,
Downtown Library (3rd Floor)

Meet the creators of Hartford Artisan Weaving Center’s magnificent new exhibit, “Block By Design, at a reception on Monday, August 13, from 10:30 - 11:30 am at the Hartford History Center (3rd floor) at the Downtown Library, 500 Main Street, Hartford. Please sign up for the event on Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/events/474185736364235/ . The exhibit will be on display through September 29, 2018. For more information, go to:
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News
Maker Space is a Hit!
Open through August 24

YOUmedia's new Maker Space at the Downtown Library proved to be so popular in its first week that it had to move to a larger space! It is now on the ground floor of the atrium and open Monday through Saturday during regular library hours. The maker space is staffed by YOUmedia interns, about 12 of whom are constantly on hand to help library visitors of all ages make almost anything they'd like. Jewelry, paintings, paper crafts and board games appear to be the most popular activities so far. Check it out!
New CRIS Radio for the Blind

The Connecticut Radio Information System (CRIS) recently donated a radio to HPL. CRIS is the only radio station in CT that provides programming for people who are blind or have difficulty reading or accessing printed materials. Visitors to the library can listen with or without headphones or listen online at crisradio.org. CRIS Radio announcers are on the air 24 hours a day, 7 days a week reading out articles from more than 70 newspapers and magazines. The radio is located on the 1st floor of the Downtown Library, to the right of the Main St. entrance. Listeners can tune into the CRIS broadcast center in Windsor or any of its regional satellite studios in Danbury, Norwich, Norwalk, Trumbull, and West Haven. Each stations reads out the news in their areas. CRIS also has a Spanish-language service, CRIS En Español.
Congratulations Marie and Kara!

At HPL's quarterly staff meeting on Friday, July 20, the library’s Employee Recognition Committee honored two staff members. Marie Jarry, Director of Central Public Services , was presented with a Special Recognition Award, and Kara Morse, Assistant Youth Services Librarian at the Barbour Library was honored for her Innovative Outreach. 
Submissions for ArtWalk 2019 Now Open!

Submissions from artists to exhibit at HPL's prestigious Artwalk will be accepted from now through November 1, 2018. For requirements and more information, go to:
Double Dutch Fun at Campfield

Hartford once dominated the world in the sport of double dutch jump roping. One team of double-dutchers even performed for the Queen of England once. Now the Connecticut American Double Dutch League, headed up by Hartford's Carrie Trimmier McCrory (right) is trying to make the sport popular here again. She gave double dutch demonstrations at several libraries this summer, including Ropkins, Barbour, Albany, Downtown and (shown here) Camp Field.
Library Offers Connecticut Security Officer Training Program
Next Class Starts August 15

The library’s Security Officer Training program will have it next session on August 15. Almost all security officers are required to take an 8-hour training program to become a Certified Security Officer in the Connecticut. Completing the program will qualify candidates to apply for a Security Officers Identification Card, issued by the State. The course is held once a month at the Downtown Library. Fee required. For more information, please contact instructor Charles Barberi at 860-695-6356 or at cbarberi@hplct.org Click here to print the registration form: https://tinyurl.com/y7qh5aeo
Activities
Especially For Kids

Family Summer Movie & Ice-cream Series
Starts at 6PM
Park Library
August 6 - Madagascar 3

August 15 – Coraline
Chicago Style Steppin Dance Class

Monday, August 6, 6-7 pm
Atrium, Downtown Library
 
Open to beginners and all levels! Come by for a Chicago Style Steppin Dance Class by the Hartford City Steppers. Taught by experienced instructors Princeton Hayes and Jannett Jennings. This is a partnered dance class, but all are welcome to come as individuals, a couple, or a group.
Rock Painting

Tuesdays, August 7 and September 4, 11 am
Dwight Library

Ease your mind and exercise your creativity while painting little minions, cats, or frogs on rocks. Rocks and paint supplies are provided for this surprisingly enjoyable adult program.
Great American Read:
Film Adaptions of Great Books

Thursday, August 16, 6:30-7:30 pm
Camp Field Library

The book was better than the movie! Join us in a discussion about some of our favorite, and not-so favorite, film versions of books. 
Hartford Public Library | 860.695.6300 | hplct.org