3-2-1 Hartford Blast Off

Summer Learning Kickoff!

A wide variety of family friendly activities including music, face painting, henna, STARLAB, balloon twisting, A Little Yoga, drag queen story hour, virtual reality, and more!

Saturday, June 10

12:00 noon - 3:00 pm

Ropkins Branch

1750 Main Street

All ages welcomed!

Schedule of the days events HERE

Happy Pride Month

The Prophets

Robert Jones, Jr.

 Finalist for the National Book Award

A stirring debut novel about the forbidden love between two enslaved young men on a Deep South plantation.

"An extraordinary, vivid novel written with heart and imagination....The Prophets really dazzles." –NPR

"A lyrical and rebellious love story." –The New York Times Book Review (Editors' Choice)

Untamed

Glennon Doyle

#1 New York Times Bestseller

A book that shows us all how to be brave and to find our true selves.

"A testament to female empowerment and self-love, with an endearing coming-out story at the center.”—Publishers Weekly

"An inspiring chronicle of female empowerment and the rewards of self-awareness and renewal.”—Kirkus Reviews

Calling All Musicians

HPL's Baby Grand Jazz Series

We're seeking submissions from local and regional musical artists to be part of our 2024 Baby Grand series. Ensembles must include a pianist who will play HPL’s grand piano. 

Submission deadline for the 2024 series is August 1, 2023.

Learn more and submit HERE

Expressions In Sound & Motion

Photography Exhibit by Maurice D. Robertson

Maurice D. Robertson artist, photographer, jazz music aficionado, and nature lover, has been serving the music community in Hartford as a volunteer jazz announcer since 1976.

Exhibit at Park & Albany Libraries

Opening Reception this Thursday!

June 8

6:00 - 8:00 pm

1250 Albany Ave.

Emmett Goods

Hard Bop & Modern Day Jazz

Monday, June 12, 6:00-8:00 pm

The Artists Collective

1200 Albany Ave.

Dr. Emmett Goods is a trombonist and Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Rhode Island. Emmett has shared the stage with a wide variety of artists including: Dr. Billy Taylor, Eddie Harris, Avery Sharpe, Wycliffe Gordon, the Four Tops, Aretha Franklin, and Gladys Knight and more.

Learn more about Dr. Emmet Goods HERE

Register Today!

Piano Discussion: Jazz & It's Influence on Art, Culture, & Education

Saturday, June 10, 1:00-3:00 pm

Albany Branch

1250 Albany Ave

Join us at the Albany Branch for an interactive panel discussion on how Jazz has been influential in education, culture, as well as a multitude of different art forms.

Jazz 101 is an interactive series with audience discussion and instrumental demonstration and serves as a prelude to July’s hugely popular Paul Brown Monday Night Jazz and the Greater Hartford Jazz Festival. 

Step & Dance

 Mindfulness Workshop: Step and Dance with Loren Milledge

In its origin, step is about unity. It pushes students to express their voices, to practice listening to one another, and actively work together. In this class, we will use the unity of stepping to learn about building and being a support system.

Monday, June 12

4:00 - 6:00 pm

Albany Branch

1250 Albany Ave.

Connecticut Foodshare Distribution

Come for a free bag of groceries and helpful information by various organizations.

Thursday, June 8

3:00- 4:00 pm

Barbour Branch

1261 Barbour St.

Virtual reality is cool.

Come check out what all the fun is about

Thursday, June 8

4:00- 5:00 pm

Barbour Branch

1261 Barbour St.

Ages 13-19

Join Ms. Fe at the Barbour Branch for an afternoon of virtual reality.

Hartford Stage Tickets for HPL Cardholders

Trouble in Mind now through – June 18, 2023

A 1950s landmark play that still rings true today. 

Tickets are available through our museum pass program. Get your tickets HERE

Learn more about Trouble in Mind.

P.S. We have lots of cool passes available- check them all out HERE

Free movies with your HPL card.

We’re kicking off Pride Month with Kanopy’s colorful collection of films that honor and celebrate those in the LGBTQ+ community. Explore the power of protest and pride through the Kanopy collection with your HPL library card. So many good films to choose from. Find all the titles HERE

Join Our Team!

Security Guard Training

Successful completion of this one-day program will qualify candidates to apply for a Security Officer ID card issued by the State of Connecticut Department of Emergency Services & Public Protection.

Classes begin June 14

Register by June 7

Information & Register HERE

P.S. Check out our many job openings HERE

“When a woman finally learns that pleasing the world is impossible, she becomes free to learn how to please herself.”

― Glennon Doyle, Untamed