“I support Hartford Public Library because I can’t begin to imagine where my life would be if I had not been given the gift of literacy and a love for reading at an early age. I want every child to have the chance to chart their future and see the world through books the way I have. Someone once said, 'If you can dream it, you can achieve it.' I believe, through reading books – you fuel your dreams and you learn that anything is possible.”

- REV. SHELLEY D. BEST
CEO, Connecticut Conference of Churches

"The Library is much more than a repository for books, it’s a center for life-long education, shared enrichment and cultural experiences and information that is often necessary to me and others. It’s simply a place where I can give back to my community and us young ones can come together and create a shared sense of community."

- GREGORY LUCENAY
HARTFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY VOLUNTEER

"Our family has gained positive experiences from our weekly trips to the Library. Participating in play groups has become an essential educational stepping stone for Jocelyn and Jordan. More than anything, the Library has helped my children establish a love for reading and books.”

- ANNETTE C. WILKINSON-NUNEZ

- LYNN OLSON-DOUGLAS

- DARLENE MERCADO

- COREY J. BRINSON, ESQ., HARTFORD CITY COUNCILMAN

"Hartford Public Library was such an important part of my childhood. It opened new worlds of discovery and adventure. It is wonderful to see libraries today crowded with children who are now having the same experiences."

- GERALDINE P. SULLIVAN, HARTFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY, BOARD SECRETARY

"As a daycare provider, I bring Taylor almost daily to the Camp Field Branch after school. Taylor loves to work won her letters. If she is having a difficulty learning a new letter, we spend time practicing and using the alphabet puzzles. Taylor spends a lot of time looking at books and then she'll pick one or two out and we read together. The library is a wonderful place to spend time and explore the world."

- NADIA ZULLO, HARTFORD RESIDENT AND DAYCARE PROVIDER 

In 2000, Nekeya Meade visited Hartford Public Library’s Ropkins Branch to search for information on how to pay for college. Associate Librarian Anwar Ahmad was the kind and caring face who helped Nekeya find financial aid resources and introduced her to a network of community members who had access to scholarship opportunities. Now a graduate from Becker College with a Bachelor of Science and Biology and working in the biotechnical field, Nekeya often visits the Library to relax with a good book, search for career opportunities, and say hello to the librarian who changed her life. Nekeya said, "I know if I did not go to the Library that day, I would not have accomplished everything I have today."

- NEKEYA MEADE, HARTFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY CUSTOMER

“As the celebrated Hartford resident Mark Twain once said, `The man who does not read good books has no advantage of the man who can’t read them.’ Thanks to Hartford Public Library, everyone has the access and the opportunity to read, to learn and to grow.” 

- ATTORNEY GENERAL GEORGE JEPSEN

“Cathy and I were delighted to help our new hometown public library with this very successful event.  Public libraries are vital to our democratic society because they provide free access to all who need information and knowledge to support themselves and their families. And Hartford Public Library, a place like no other, is among the best in the nation.”

- CONNECTICUT GOVERNOR DANNEL P. MALLOY AND FIRST LADY CATHY MALLOY

“Joe and I were both honored to be at the Hartford Public Library for a wonderful evening of food and intelligent conversation. I already knew the Library was a vibrant and vital contribution to community. Now Joe is asking when we can come back!"

MIKA BRZEZINSKI, NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHORS AND HOSTS OF MSNBC's MORNING JOE

“Education is an area of focus for CL&P. And libraries, like the Hartford Public Library, play a critical role in fostering a learning environment for both children and adults. On behalf of our employees, it is an honor to be this year’s Presenting Sponsor.”

JEFFREY D. BUTLER, FORMER PRESIDENT AND CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER OF CONNECTICUT LIGHT & POWER

“Hartford Public Library is where everything good is happening. It’s taking us to whole new world of things to explore, and that’s why it’s the best!”

- HYACINTH YENNIE, CHAIR OF MAPLE AVENUE NRZ GROUP, AND SUPPORTER OF HARTFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY

“Once you learn about Hartford Public Library and walk through the door, whether it’s Downtown or one of the branches, you feel so inspired and you feel warmth. The Library is truly a special place because it provides a bright open space where community members can gather freely to read, learn,discover, and know their world. You have to say, Wow, this is something that I want to be a part of and support!”

- THEA MONTAÑEZ, PAST PRESIDENT OF HARTFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF DIRECTORS

“The Library staff helps us find books,resources in the community,homework help and materials for projects. There is always something for each one of my four children to do.”
- JOHANNA RODRIGUEZ

"Hartford Public Library is a welcoming oasis for each of us, no matter from where we originate. It offers travel, friendship, new ideas, and laughs without ever leaving the building through books, movies, classes and community."

- ANNE MELISSA DOWLING, HARTFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY, FORMER MEMBER, BOARD OF DIRECTORS

"One of my goals as board president of Hartford Public Library is to spread the word about all the wonderful things happening here. As the cultural and educational center for the city, the Library is changing the lives of people every day by giving them access to information and ideas. I am committed to insuring the Library has the resources and talent to continue helping all people. Stop by and check out the Library for yourself. We are proud of it and you will be too!"

- GREG DAVIS, PRESIDENT, HARTFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The McPhee Foundation provides funding for Hartford Public Library’s “McPhee Homework Clubs” at the Library’s 10 sites. The Clubs are staffed by Hartford teens hired for the Library’s positive youth development/summer employment program, the Teen Leader Initiative. Barbara McPhee, director of The McPhee Foundation said, “The McPhee Foundation’s mission is to support charities, children and families, and research in order to promote a better quality of life. The McPhee Foundation feels that Hartford Public Library’s Homework Club fits our mission. It wins on two fronts. In these hard economic times it gives deserving teens an opportunity to make money while rewarding them for their hard work and study habits, as well as being a role model for the students that they help with their studies. The children they tutor benefit from the peer method of learning, as well as early intervention.  The Library offers a safe haven in which to learn and dream of possibilities.”

- THE MCPHEE FOUNDATION

The Nutmeg Foundation provides technology support and for the purchase of a Microsoft Surface Table. One of the primary goals of the Hartford Public Library is to make information of all kinds readily available in multiple formats to as broad segment of our population as possible. The Microsoft Surface Table will allow the Library to display information in the collection in electronic formats that can be used easily by both a tech-savvy and novice user. “The Nutmeg Foundation is very pleased to help Hartford Public Library fulfill its mission to provide free resources that inspire reading, guide learning, and encourage individual exploration, relative to education and helping people advance their skills,” said Ethel Davis, Nutmeg Foundation president.

- NUTMEG FOUNDATION

The Travelers Foundation, funded by Travelers, supports Hartford Public Library for its Teen Leader Initiative. This innovative program allows HPL to offer summer employment to Hartford teens. Thorough this opportunity, the young people involved enjoy a positive and educational job experience, develop library skills which support their academic studies, and earn excellent references which will benefit them as they move on to college and other work experiences. The financial support provided by The Travelers Foundation since 2009 has been instrumental in the success of this positive youth development initiative. Tara N. Spain, Director, Community Relations, Travelers noted, “Given our commitment to education and the community, Travelers is pleased to foster positive learning experiences for Hartford teens that will prepare them for success in college and beyond.”

- TRAVELERS FOUNDATION

The Lincoln Financial Foundation provides support to expand the Library’s adult educational resources to include GED and college math. This program, “Catch Up TO Math” will use a combination of proven successful strategies with a focus on math, that includes Computer-Assisted Instruction (CAI), a core collection of circulating self – study text books and media including GED calculators that will allow for home study, and flexible tutoring hours. “Providing adult learners with the tools they need to be prepared for job opportunities is a key component of Lincoln Foundation’s workforce and economic development strategy,” said Byron Champlin, Lincoln Foundation assistant vice president and Hartford program officer. “We are happy to be able to partner with Hartford Public Library to expand its adult education resources.”

- LINCOLN FINANCIAL FOUNDATION