Did you know? On this day in 1791, the Bill of Rights was ratified into law.
News
New museum passes available!

Access passes online with your library card.
We just added the Lutz Children’s Museum in Manchester and the White Memorial Conservation Center and Natural History Museum in Litchfield to our collection of free passes you can check out with your HPL card.
Learn more:
SPECIAL NOTICES: Holiday Closing

All library locations will be closed on Sunday, December 24 and Monday, December 25.
Thank you! You make a difference.

Beyond Words Fund the Mission donations are still arriving! We couldn't do this important work without your support.
 
Congratulations to Victor LaValle, featured speaker at Beyond Words. The Changeling by LaValle has just been listed on USA Today’s “10 Books We Loved Reading in 2017.” The book has also been ranked #7 on Time Magazine's "The Top 10 Novels of 2017" list and is one of The New York Times Book Review's "100 Notable Books of 2017."
 
Signed copies of Victor LaValle’s books are available for sale through the Hartford Public Library. Please contact Mackenzie Callahan at mcallahan@hplct.org to purchase. Order soon as copies are limited.
 
To see more images from the Beyond Words 2017 event, please click the button below. 
Upcoming
Warm Mittens

Wednesdays & Thursdays,
through December 21
10:00-10:45 am and 10:45-11:00 am
Listen to The Mitten by Jan Brett and design your own mitten to take home.
Kwanzaa Celebration: Weave a Mkeka

Monday, December 18th—Friday, December 22
4:00–5:00 pm
At Kwanzaa, families and friends gather to celebrate family ties, remember ancestors, support community and give thanks for the good things in life.
Dinner and a Story

Monday, December 18, 6:00–7:00 pm
Please have your family join us once a month at Hartford Public Library. Special guest “Jedda” Williams will perform holiday music and movement activities, read a story, followed by dinner. Sign up is required at the front desk. We hope to see you there! Raffle tickets for prizes will be given!
Gingerbread Houses

Tuesday, December 19—Wednesday, December 20
4:00–5:00 pm
Gingerbread house contest participants will be placed in groups, not more than 3 participants in each group. Each group will be provided with the same supplies and given 60 minutes to build a gingerbread masterpiece.
Ribbon Candy Holiday Ornament

Thursday, December 21, 4:00–5:00 pm
Design a cute ribbon candy ornament to decorate your house for the holidays, and practice your sewing skills. The best part is, you don’t have to eat it when you’re done!
Three Kings' Day

Thursday, January 4, 3:30–4:30 pm
Learn all about Dia de los Reyes, a holiday traditionally celebrated in the Hispanic community. Listen to a Three King’s story and create your own crown to take home.
Animation Film Festival

Wednesday, January 10, 3:30–4:30 pm
Come and learn how to create your own movie in 30 minutes. Enjoy a small film festival with program participants at the end!
Poets on Poetry: Gertrude Stein

Saturday, January 27, 10:15 am
The Connecticut Poetry Society's monthly poetry book discussion is free and open to the public.
Hartford Public Library | 860.695.6300 | hplct.org