Beyond Words 2018 - Hartford Public LibraryBeyond Words Governor Dannel Malloy, his wife, Cathy, and City Councilman John Gale were among the 450 guests who attended the Beyond Words

Did You Know? Did You Know? Before finding financial success with his famous six-shooter, SamuelColt earning a living for a brief time by traveling the countryside giving demonstrations ofthe recently discovered nitrous oxide (laughing gas). He billed himself as "the celebratedDr. Coult of New York, London and Calcutta."

Beyond Words 2018Beyond Words 2018

Fromsons Awarded 2018 HewinsFromsons Awarded 2018 HewinsMedalMedal

Sandra Bender Fromson (front, left) and HowardFromson (front, right) were awarded Hartford PublicLibrary's 2018 Caroline M. Hewins Medal for their longand outstanding service to the library and the greaterHartford community. The award was presented by HPLBoard President Gregory Davis and HPL CEO Bridget Quinn-Carey at the library’sannual Beyond Words fundraising event on Friday, December 7, at the Hartford MarriottDowntown Hotel.

Woodson Gives Keynote Address atWoodson Gives Keynote Address atBeyond WordsBeyond Words

Acclaimed author Jacqueline Woodson (left) chats withConnecticut poet and educator Kate Rushin at HartfordPublic Library’s annual Beyond Words fundraising event.Woodson was the keynote speaker at the event; Rushinrecited a poem she wrote in honor of the library’s 125thanniversary.

Meryl Braunstein Speaks on HPLMeryl Braunstein Speaks on HPLTeen ServicesTeen Services

A special presentation on HPL teen programs was madeby Meryl Braunstein on behalf of the Mandell-BraunsteinFamilies/Data-Mail, Inc., the presenting sponsor forBeyond Words.

Hartford Athletic RewardsHartford Athletic RewardsYOUmedia MembersYOUmedia Members

Youth from HPL’s YOUmedia who attendedBeyond Words were given free Hartford Athleticscarves by the city's new soccer team. Two of theteam’s co-owners, Joseph A. Calafiore and ScottSchooley. They are shown here with HPL CEOBridget Quinn-Carey, HPL YOUmedia ManagerGabbie Barnes and YOUmedia teens Sakye,Chelsea, Carlos, Tyrus, Tariq, Dynesha, andToni-Ann.

Governor & First Lady AttendGovernor & First Lady AttendBeyond WordsBeyond Words

Governor Dannel Malloy, his wife, Cathy, and CityCouncilman John Gale were among the 450 guests whoattended the Beyond Words fundraiser. For more photos,go to the HPL Facebook Page.HPL Facebook Page.

UpcomingUpcoming

DIY Story CubesDIY Story CubesTuesday, December 18, 4:00 – 5:00 pm:Tuesday, December 18, 4:00 – 5:00 pm:Park LibraryPark LibraryThursday, December 20 | 4:30 – 5:30 pm:Thursday, December 20 | 4:30 – 5:30 pm:Dwight LibraryDwight Library

Who are you going to be today? A dragon-slaying prom queen? The heir to an icecream fortune? A superhero with the power to turn metal into rubber? Roll the dice tofind out, and then share your story on Snapchat!

Family Holiday ConcertFamily Holiday ConcertWednesday, December 19, 10 am - 12 noon:Wednesday, December 19, 10 am - 12 noon:Downtown Library AtriumDowntown Library Atrium

The Sam Pasco Trio will play your favorite holiday tunes inthis special concert geared especially for families. Free andopen to the public. Groups must register. Call 860-695-6330for more information.

Learning Circle: AddictionLearning Circle: AddictionWednesday, December 26, 2-3 pmWednesday, December 26, 2-3 pmRopkins LibraryRopkins Library

There’s a lot of information out there about addiction. There’seven a new book Hey, Kiddo all about the author’s experiencewith addiction in his family. Join our first learning circle to figureout what is good information and help create a resource tobenefit teens or families impacted by addiction.

Just Weave It!Just Weave It!Wednesday, December 26, 2-4 pm:Wednesday, December 26, 2-4 pm:Downtown LibraryDowntown LibraryThursday, December 27, 3-5 pm: BarbourThursday, December 27, 3-5 pm: BarbourLibraryLibrary

Learn about the ancient art of weaving and create asimple weaving loom from ordinary drinking straws. Thenmake a colorful woven friendship bracelet or a bookmarkto take home.

Book Launch: Looking In – 40 years ofBook Launch: Looking In – 40 years ofstudent-generated theaterstudent-generated theaterThursday, December 27, 5:30-7:30pmThursday, December 27, 5:30-7:30pmHartford History Center, Downtown LibraryHartford History Center, Downtown Library

HPL will host a book launch for Jonathan Gillman account ofLooking In Theatre's four decades of producing impactful,student-generated theater. Books will be available for purchase.Light refreshments will be served. (Snow date: Saturday,December 29, 2-4 pm). Find out more here.here.

HPL Kwanzaa Festival 2018HPL Kwanzaa Festival 2018Saturday, December 29, 12 - 5 pmSaturday, December 29, 12 - 5 pmDowntown Library AtriumDowntown Library Atrium

Join us for a special Kwanzaa celebration featuring traditionalAfrican drumming and dancing, jewelry and henna workshops,story-telling with Andre Keitt, a soul food dinner and more. Freeand open to the public.

Baby Grand Jazz 2019Baby Grand Jazz 2019Ray Gonzalez will kick off the 16th season of HPL's highlypopular Baby Grand Jazz Series with a special ThreeKings Day performance on Sunday, January 6. BabyGrand Jazz Concerts will be held every Sunday afternoonfrom 3 - 4 pm through April 28 (with the exception ofEaster Sunday, April 21). The opening and closing showswith held in the Downtown Library Atrium, the rest will be held in the Center forContemporary Culture. Baby Grand Jazz is sponsored by The Kaman Corporation. Formore information, see the Baby Grand Jazz.Baby Grand Jazz.

Donate Now!

NewsNews

Salsa Dance ClassesSalsa Dance Classes

Rey and Glendaly Bermudez got everyone dancing at lastweek's Pasos & Connections Salsa Dancing to RelationalWellness in the Downtown Library Atrium. The classes areheld the first Thursday of the month. Next class is January 3.Find out more here.here.

HPL Security Officer TrainingHPL Security Officer TrainingProgramProgram

Charles Barberi, HPL’s Head of Security,conducted a security guard training class onWednesday, December 12. The library's SecurityOfficer Training Classes are held monthly. Thesuccessful completion of this one day programwill qualify candidates to apply for a SecurityOfficer ID card, issued by the State ofConnecticut Department of Emergency Services & Public Protection. Next class isJanuary 16. For more information and a registration form, click Secur ity Training.Secur ity Training.

Meditation at BarbourMeditation at Barbour

On Monday, December 10, HPL partnered with theCopper Beech Institute to host an Introduction toMeditation session at the Barbour Library. The sessionwas facilitated by Peter Callahan of the Copper BeechInstitute.

New Books!New Books!

An accessible and down to earth guide to understanding and caringfor your mental health; a tale of espionage and intrigue set in postWorld War II Europe; and Robin Cook's latest medical thriller about aveteran medical examiner's race against the clock to identify a deadly

virus before it engulfs the world, are now on the shelves at HPL. Readall about it in the New Book Blog.New Book Blog.

ActivitiesActivities

Gingerbread House BuildingGingerbread House Building

Monday, December 17, 4-5:30 pm: DowntownMonday, December 17, 4-5:30 pm: DowntownLibraryLibraryTuesday, December 18, 4:30-5:30 pm: DwightTuesday, December 18, 4:30-5:30 pm: DwightLibraryLibraryThursday, December 20, 3-4:30 pm: Barbour Thursday, December 20, 3-4:30 pm: Barbour LibraryLibrary

See how creative you can get while building this sugary abode.

Pointillism PoinsettiasPointillism PoinsettiasThursday,Thursday, December 20 | 4-5 pm | Park LibraryDecember 20 | 4-5 pm | Park LibraryThursday, December 20 | 4:30-5:30 pm | CampThursday, December 20 | 4:30-5:30 pm | CampField LibraryField Library

In Mexico, the pointsettia is called Flor de la Nochebuena. AtChristmastime, the flower blooms and flourishes. Listen toTomie dePaola's retelling the Legend of the Pointsettia andthen use the art technique pointillism to create your ownflower!

Peppermint Tower ChallengePeppermint Tower Challenge

Saturday, December 22, 3-4 pm, DowntownSaturday, December 22, 3-4 pm, DowntownLibraryLibraryThursday, December 27, 4-5 pm, Park LibraryThursday, December 27, 4-5 pm, Park LibraryThursday, December 27, 2-3 pm, Camp FieldThursday, December 27, 2-3 pm, Camp FieldLibraryLibrary

Ready for some math excitement? Work with a partner this holiday season to build thetallest tower using only peppermint candies.

Scratch CodingScratch CodingThursday, December 26, 4-6 pm: Park LibraryThursday, December 26, 4-6 pm: Park Library

Learn about computer programming in a simple block-based program. Make your own e-cards, animations, andmore or remix someone else’s project from the onlinecommunity.

View all youth programs

View programs & exhibits

View classes & trainings

Hartford Public Library | 860.695.6300 | hplct.orghplct.org

STAY CONNECTED