Storytimes near Hartford Public Library

Downtown, Digital Gallery

Exhibit 1: Hartford in Focus - Photographs of a City and Its People. The Digital Gallery is located in Hartford History Center. This expansive photography exhibition, presented through both digital displays and large-format prints, highlights the remarkable depth and breadth of the Hartford History Center’s photographic collections. Hartford in Focus features Brad Clift’s My Hartford, My Neighborhood collection, selections from the Hartford Times Collection, and works by local contemporary photographers including Andy Hart and Marc Yves Regis, alongside rarely seen images from our historical holdings. Together, these photographs reveal the many facets of Hartford. From moments of connection across neighborhoods to peaceful scenes in beloved parks, the images capture the energy, diversity, and everyday joy that define the city. As the nation enters the celebrations of America’s 250th year, this exhibition honors the local stories that continue to enrich both Hartford’s and the country’s ever-evolving tapestry.

Downtown, Cultural Corridor

Exhibit 3: After Independence - Hartford’s 18th Century Voices In honor of the nation’s 250th anniversary, this exhibition presents early Hartford documents, pamphlets, and locally printed works that illuminate how the city responded to and helped shape the era following the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Drawn from the Hartford History Center’s rare materials, these selections reveal what 18th-century Hartford residents believed, debated, built, and aspired to as the new nation took form. This intimate display offers just a glimpse of the Hartford History Center’s extensive holdings and the rich historical narratives preserved within them. Visitors interested in exploring further are invited to visit the new Hartford History Center Research Room, where you can delve more deeply into period documents, local imprints, and other collections that bring Hartford’s early civic life into fuller view.

Hartford Public Library's Downtown Library, ArtWalk

Exhibit 4: My Heart Will Beat for You - New Work by Traé Brooks My Heart Will Beat for You presents new work by Connecticut-born artist Traé Brooks, whose multidisciplinary practice explores identity, memory, spirituality, and the ways we carry personal and collective grief. Through paintings, sculptural objects, writings, and video installations, Brooks reflects on how loss transforms us, reshaping the stories we hold, the bonds we form, and the ways we move through the world. What began as a tribute to his grandmother has grown into an expansive meditation on all the lives that leave an imprint - family, friends, brief encounters, and ancestors alike. In this exhibition, Brooks considers both intimate mourning and the larger currents of collective grief shaped by violence, injustice, and global upheaval. His works become vessels for remembrance, resilience, and the ongoing act of rebuilding the self. Visitors are invited to experience the gallery as a ritual space, with opportunities to contribute writings, names, or small offerings to a living, evolving memorial. Together, these gestures transform the ArtWalk into a shared site of reflection, honoring the ways memory endures and the many hearts that continue to shape us.

Downtown, Cultural Corridor

Exhibit 2: Woven Hartford: The Craft of Community — A Collaboration with the Hartford Artisans Weaving Center Woven Hartford: The Craft of Community brings together the artistry of the Hartford Artisans Weaving Center and the visual history preserved in the Hartford History Center’s Graphic Arts Collection. Skilled weavers create textiles inspired by the shapes, colors, and rhythms of 20th-century posters and broadsides - vibrant pieces that once invited Hartford residents to gather, celebrate, and participate in civic life. Displayed alongside the original broadsides, these contemporary textiles imagine Hartford’s graphic heritage through fiber, color, and texture. The result is a cross-generational conversation about craft, community, and the ways art invites us to come together.

Downtown, Classroom 140,Classroom 141

Preparing English learners for college success. Registered students only.

Downtown, Travelers Center for Arts & Culture

Financial Reality Fair

Albany Library

Help us create a community masterpiece celebrating America's 250th anniversary! Stop by and decorate a square canvas representing your story, heritage, future hopes, or what community means to you.

Camp Field Library

Are you interested in improving your basic computer skills, learning how to navigate tech tools or earning a Northstar Digital Certificate? If so, call 860-695-7440 to register.

Park Street Library @ The Lyric, Park Branch Cafe

A nutritious summer lunch will be served FREE of charge to children and teens, ages 18 and younger. Lunch will be served Monday - Friday, 12:00 - 1:00 pm, from July 6 - August 7.

Albany Library, Albany Branch Community Room

Join at noon from July 6th through August 7th for free summer lunches for ages 0-18

Downtown, Children's Department

A nutritious summer lunch will be served FREE of charge to children and teens, ages 18 and younger. Lunch will be served Monday - Friday, 12:00 - 1:00 pm, from July 6 - August 7.

Camp Field Library

Join us for free nutritious lunches at the library from 12:15pm - 1:15pm. For ages18 and under.

Dwight Library

Join us for free nutritious lunches at the library from 12:15pm - 1:15pm. For ages 0-19 as supplies last.

Barbour Library

Do you have the guts to learn about the human body? Ages 6-12 with parents/caregivers/siblings. Do you have the guts to learn about the human body? Join The Children’s Museum on a humerus and fun journey learning how our bodies work and end the week with a trip to Roaring Brook Nature Center!

Camp Field Library

Presented with support from the Evelyn W. Preston Memorial Fund, administered by Bank of America Philanthropic Solutions. Celebrate America's 250th anniversary with an afternoon of live music. Ed Fast & CongaBop feature Afro-Cuban inspired rhythms and hard-bop harmony fused to create unique, soulful originals and creatively arranged jazz standards!

Park Street Library @ The Lyric, Park Branch Community Room

Ages 13-19 Enjoy some friendly competition and refreshments during teen game day! Thursday, July 9, 1:30 - 2:30 PM

Camp Field Library

Come to the library to create a nature or summer themed craft.

Downtown, Youth Program Room

Meet the experts from the CT Audubon Society for an engaging look at our local birds. We’ll explore the colorful species that call Connecticut home during the summer. Come fly with us! Ever wonder who’s singing in your trees? Bring the whole family to meet the experts from the CT Audubon Society for an engaging look at our local birds. We’ll explore the colorful species that call Connecticut home during the summer and learn how to welcome them into our own backyards. Come fly with us!

Downtown, Classroom 139

Join us for a light, fun and tasty cooking class with Sarabeth. Sarabeth is a registered dietitian with ShopRite. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED

Park Street Library @ The Lyric

Join us for a 250th American History on ice cream sundaes, while making your own sundae to enjoy. No registration required.

Albany Library

Students will learn how to create different things that they can use to take care of their physical, emotional, and mental selves. From soap, to deodorants, and essential oils. Ages 12-19

Barbour Library

Presented with support from the Evelyn W. Preston Memorial Fund, administered by Bank of America Philanthropic Solutions. Celebrate America's 250th anniversary with an afternoon of live music. Boogie Chillun is a vibrant multicultural ensemble that seamlessly blends a wide array of genres, including funk, rap, rock, jazz, blues, classic soul, R&B, Afro-folk, reggae, gospel, spirituals and disco.

Barbour Library

Fresh food, friendly faces, and support for our community! Stop by Barbour Library to pick up free fresh produce and other nutritious groceries while supplies last. We look forward to seeing you!

Albany Library

Learn how to build interesting worlds, create lifelike characters, and tell great stories. Ages 12-19

Downtown

A relaxed studio-style program focused on traditional art and painting techniques. Explore color, texture, and personal expression while creating original works of art.

Downtown, YOUmedia

Learn DJ basics with hands-on mixing, beatmatching, transitions, and music selection using pro equipment while building creativity, confidence, and performance skills.

Downtown, Learning Lab

Join us for hands-on computer basics lessons for adults. All experience levels welcomed, beginners encouraged! Registration is not necessary.

Albany Library, Albany Branch Community Room

ReConnect CT is a 6-week program helping members of the reentry community build the digital and money skills they need to move forward on their own terms. Graduates receive $250 in Visa gift cards. About this program ReConnect CT is a free six-week program at Hartford Public Library, Albany Branch, 1250 Albany Avenue, Hartford. This program is for the justice-impacted. It helps members of the reentry community build the digital and money skills they need to get online and move forward. Participants who successfully complete all six sessions will receive $250 in Visa gift cards and a ReConnect CT Certificate of Achievement from Hartford Public Library. What you will learn Digital Skills • Use a computer, phone, or tablet • Set up email and find what you need online • Apply for jobs and access benefits and services Financial Skills • Open a bank account and use online banking • Build a budget and understand your credit • Take control of your financial future What you will earn Participants who successfully complete all six sessions will earn: • $250 in Visa gift cards • A ReConnect CT Certificate of Achievement from Hartford Public Library Program format Six weekly sessions, two hours each. Time: 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. All materials and devices for class use are provided at no cost. Session dates Session 1: Thursday Jul 9 Session 2: Thursday Jul 16 Session 3: Thursday Jul 23 Session 4: Thursday Jul 30 Session 5: Thursday Aug 6 Session 6: Thursday Aug 13 Time: 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM Who can join This program is free and open to justice impacted members of the reentry community. How to register and check your eligibility Get started by filling out our Interest and Eligibility Form: https://forms.gle/SQTJdMykP3msU6WB6 Program Facilitators Rose Daley -- rdaley@hplct.org Ty Waterman -- twaterman@hplct.org

Downtown, Cultural Corridor

Exhibit 2: Woven Hartford: The Craft of Community — A Collaboration with the Hartford Artisans Weaving Center Woven Hartford: The Craft of Community brings together the artistry of the Hartford Artisans Weaving Center and the visual history preserved in the Hartford History Center’s Graphic Arts Collection. Skilled weavers create textiles inspired by the shapes, colors, and rhythms of 20th-century posters and broadsides - vibrant pieces that once invited Hartford residents to gather, celebrate, and participate in civic life. Displayed alongside the original broadsides, these contemporary textiles imagine Hartford’s graphic heritage through fiber, color, and texture. The result is a cross-generational conversation about craft, community, and the ways art invites us to come together.

Downtown, Digital Gallery

Exhibit 1: Hartford in Focus - Photographs of a City and Its People. The Digital Gallery is located in Hartford History Center. This expansive photography exhibition, presented through both digital displays and large-format prints, highlights the remarkable depth and breadth of the Hartford History Center’s photographic collections. Hartford in Focus features Brad Clift’s My Hartford, My Neighborhood collection, selections from the Hartford Times Collection, and works by local contemporary photographers including Andy Hart and Marc Yves Regis, alongside rarely seen images from our historical holdings. Together, these photographs reveal the many facets of Hartford. From moments of connection across neighborhoods to peaceful scenes in beloved parks, the images capture the energy, diversity, and everyday joy that define the city. As the nation enters the celebrations of America’s 250th year, this exhibition honors the local stories that continue to enrich both Hartford’s and the country’s ever-evolving tapestry.