News
StoryWalk kicks off Literacy Celebration

DOWNTOWN: CENTER FOR CONTEMPORARY CULTURE
Saturday, August 19, 11 am-4:30 pm

Join us for the kickoff of Literacy Celebration Downtown StoryWalk. The Library will have parent-led literacy activities to help with development of language and literacy skills, physical development, and communication starting at 11 am.

This year’s featured book is El Trayecto/The Trek by Ann Jonas, a story about a little girl and her friend on their adventure-filled walk to school. The text is in Spanish and English.

From Noon-1 pm at the Library, Craig Norton presents One Heart/One World Drumming, a program of Native American, African, Caribbean and Latin stories, song and dance. At 1 pm, route maps and passports will be given out for a self-guided tour. Families should get their passports stamped at all stops: Hartford City Hall, the Old State House, the Connecticut Science Center, the Wadsworth Atheneum of Art, and the Butler-McCook House and Garden. Also the Bushnell Park Carousel offers free rides from 1-3 pm.

When the passport is complete, return to the Library to pick up a backpack with school supplies and a children's book. Limit is one each per family until supplies are gone.
Watch the solar eclipse safely

A solar eclipse is happening Monday, August 21. It will be visible as a partial eclipse in Hartford, beginning at 1:25 pm, hitting its peak at 2:45 pm and ending at 3:59 pm. 
Read more about safe viewing from NASA. NASA is also live streaming the eclipse from noon to 4 pm.

Hartford residents with valid ID can pick up free passes to the Connecticut Science Center during August. The center is holding  Solar Eclipse events. The Downtown Library will be live streaming the eclipse in the Atrium; all other HPL branches (except Mark Twain which is closed on Mondays) will have a live stream feed.
Read the new Strategic Plan and learn about our new hours starting September 5

New hours for The Kitchen

Starting the week of August 28, The Kitchen will be open from 8 am to 8 pm Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Hours on Mondays and Fridays remain 8 am to 4 pm.
Upcoming
AUG 22: Cigna Health Fair

Tuesday, August 22, 10 am-4 pm

The Cigna Foundation Health Improvement Tour returns to the Downtown Library.No appointment is necessary. Health screening is free. You do not need to be a Cigna customer.

  • Biometric screenings: Quest Diagnostics will help you learn your four critical health numbers: blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and Body Mass Index. No fasting required.
  • Health coaches can to talk about your results and answer health-related questions.
AUG 31: Poster Contest submissions due

Create an original design for a poster that will inspire others to sign up for a library card.

AUG 31: Let us take you out to the ball game! 

Thursday, August 31, 7:05 pm

Complete your Summer Learning goals for a ticket to see the Hartford Yard Goats play the Portland Sea Dogs.
SEP 16: Career Exploration Day


Saturday, September 16, 10 am-1 pm

Join Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters and Hartford Public Library in a program for mentors and mentees that explores career options.
Support Hartford Public Library!
Shopping online for back-to-school supplies? Support Hartford Public Library by using Amazon Smile and selecting us as your charity beneficiary.

Go to Smile.Amazon.com and search for Hartford Public Library in the available charities to support. Purchase your items through Amazon as you normally would and HPL will receive a portion of the sales (at no cost to you). 
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