We're ringing in the new year with art, books, music and crowns!

The Adornment Series: Images of Empowerment

Opens this Friday, January 7th

"Art is how I live; it’s how I cope and how I think. I work things out with my art." — Artist Michelle Thomas

Images of Empowerment is the fourth and final part of a series Michelle Thomas has been working on titled Visually Re-Writing Re-Written History focusing on her journey as a Black woman.

Friday, January 7th, 5:30-7:30 pm

ArtWalk, Third Floor

Downtown Library

500 Main St.

MASKS ARE REQUIRED.

Please visit our website or social media on Friday to see if event has been rescheduled due to inclement weather. As of right now, we plan to open her show on Friday.

The evening will include live music by Connecticut percussionist extraordinaire Jocelyn Pleasant and her partner I-SHEA.

Did you know Michelle spent an entire year in silence, while being a mom and a teacher? Learn more about her fascinating journey, her art and her life HERE.

New Year's Resolution? Read More Books!

WINTER

Ali Smith

From Man Booker Prize Finalist Ali Smith, Winter is the second novel in her Seasonal Quartet. This much-anticipated follow-up to Autumn is one of the Best Books of 2018 from the New York Public Library.

When four people, strangers and family, converge on a 15-bedroom house in Cornwall for Christmas, will there be enough room for everyone?

“A stunning meditation on a complex, emotional moment in history.” — Time

Blue Zones

Dan Buettner

Bestselling author, longevity expert and National Geographic Explorer Dan Buettner reports on health, fitness, diet and aging, drawing on his research from extraordinarily long-lived communities — Blue Zones — around the globe. His prescriptions for lifestyle, nutrition, outlook and stress-coping practices will add years to your life and life to your years.

"One of the most hopeful and motivating quality-of-life lessons available." — AudioFile Magazine

Watch movies from the comfort of your living room.

All you need is your library card

Did you know your library card opens the door to thousands of streaming movies through our partners at Kanopy?

Check out one of these titles, which were among the top 21 most-viewed films on Kanopy in 2021.

(Parasite won best picture of 2019. It's intense and thought-provoking. we recommend it!)

We give them all a rating of five bags of popcorn: 🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿

What are you waiting for? Who doesn't love a good movie?

Hundreds lined up at our libraries to receive free

COVID-19 testing kits distributed by the City of Hartford.

Hartford Public Library was part of Hartford's one-day effort in distributing 8,000 COVID-19 test kits across the city. Many thanks to all the volunteers, the City of Hartford and all the partners who helped throughout the day.

"This is what can happen if we all work together."

— Thea Montanez, Chief Operating Officer, City of Hartford (pictured with HPL staff and volunteers)

KIDS+ READING + LEGOS = TOTAL HAPPINESS

Calling all Hartford youth — enter our winter reading contest!

Check out books from the library to read, then enter our contest for a chance to win an amazing LEGO bundle! (seriously amazing)

The winner will be announced on February 8th during Art Club: Sweethearts.

You can learn about the contest rules and more HERE. Good luck!

The amazing Joshua Bruneau

Baby Grand Jazz performance

this Sunday, January 9th, 3 pm

All shows will be streamed on Facebook and YouTube. In-person attendance is limited, and registration is required.

You can register for the show (or join the waitlist if registration is full) and learn more about Joshua Bruneau HERE.

We're Hiring — Join Our YOUmedia Team!

YOUmedia, our digital learning and makerspace for teens, is hiring a manager (full-time) and program coordinator (part-time)

Check out these job openings and more library openings HERE.

Did you know wearing a crown instantly boosts your mood?

"In our perfect ways. In the ways we are beautiful. In the ways we are human. We are here. Happy New Year’s. Let’s make it ours." — Beyoncé

Many thanks to all of our friends that showed up on First Night to make crowns (and friends) and celebrate the new year — together!

*Hartford Public Library recommends never leaving your home without wearing a crown. 😉

If I could save time in a bottle... 🎼

Neighbors, supporters and HPL staff members gathered together to create a time capsule at our Park Street Library @ the Lyric branch to be opened 25 years from now.

This inspiring project is to recognize the path to the creation of the new branch for future generations.

You can learn more about this project HERE.

“That’s what winter is: an exercise in remembering how to still yourself then how to come pliantly back to life again.”― Ali Smith, Winter

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