HPL Reopens! : Downtown

Available On-site Services - as of April 19:

One visit per day. 2 hours per visit, maximum. Computer sessions are limited to 90 minutes.

Masks are required at all times; please remember to socially distance and keep 6 feet apart.

Visits inside the library can be made for the following services:

• NEW! Browsable Curated Collections 

  • Smaller collections available for browsing:

    • New Books, Cooking, Gardening, Self-care, Job Searching, Children's books, DVDs, and more! 

    • General book stacks are still closed to the public.

    • Children's and YA Departments are still closed to the public. 

    • Staff can pull any books you need from the general stacks.

• NEW! Self-check out machines—scan your card, scan your items, and go!

• NEW! Limited seating available

  • Read, use our Wi-fi

• Computer Use - 1 person per computer

  • The computer will automatically end the session after 90 minutes.

  • Return visits are not permitted.

  • Staff assistance is not available at this time.

• Printing from a Library Computer

  • Black and White or Color Prints

  • 5 free B&W Prints per day

  • Additional pages - 15 cents/page

  • Color Prints - 25 cents/page

  • Machine accepts coins, $1 and $5 bills only. 

• Copy/Fax/Scan

  • Copies - 15 cents/page

  • Fax - $1.50/1st page; $1.00/each additional page

  • Machine accepts coins, $1 and $5 bills only

• Municipal ID

  • By appointment only - call 860-695-6300 to schedule

  • Phone consultation required

  • English- and Spanish-speaking Agents available

  • Fee: $15.00 (Adult), $10.00 (Youth or Senior) - cash only

• Notary Public Services*

  • By appointment only - call 860-695-6300 to schedule

  • Phone consultation is required

  • English- and Spanish-speaking Notaries available

  • Fee: $5.00 per document - cash only

• Passport Services

  • By appointment only - call 860-695-6300 

  • Phone consultation is required

  • English- and Spanish-speaking Agents available

  • Click here for fee and payment information

• Hartford History Center

  • By appointment only - call 860-695-6297 or email hhc@hplct.org

• The American Place (TAP)

  • By appointment only - call 860-695-6337 or email tap@hplct.org

• Foundation Center Grants Research

  • Available on our public computers

  • Access from home: Foundation Directory Online database
     

*Other local options for Notary Services:

• Many UPS Store locations offer Notary Services. Location and contact information can be found here or by calling (800) 789-4623. 

• Check your local bank; many banks offer Notary Services as well. 

• The Simsbury Public Library offers Remote Notary Service. Use of Google Meet (video conferencing) is required.

• Other Notary Public service providers in the Hartford area (these are private services and not verified by HPL):

  • Connecticut Mobile 24hr Notary

  • 24hr Mobile Connecticut Notary Public and Apostille Service

Borrowing Library Materials

Contact-Free Pickup
You can borrow library books, DVDs, audiobooks, and music CDs by using our new Contact-free Pick up Service. 
Place holds on the items you want, then schedule an appointment to pick them up. 

Browsable Curated Collections (starting April 19)
We have created limited, curated collections for you to browse and check out. The general book stacks are still closed to the public. Staff can pull any books you need to check out. 

Self-checkout Machines
Please use our contact-free self-serve checkout machines. You just need to scan your card and then place the items you want to check out on the pad. It's that easy! 

Returning Library Materials

You can return library materials to the outdoor book return bins at the following branches: Albany, Park, Dwight, Camp Field, and Downtown. The Downtown library also has two indoor book returns: one in the Main St. vestibule and one inside on the main level. Please do not return items directly to staff. Returned items are quarantined for 24 hours before they are re-shelved. Please note that recently returned items will be back-dated when checked in, so no fines will accrue for items returned on time.

To place holds on items at the library:

1. Search the library catalog to find the items you want or use our request form and let us pick for you.

2. Place a hold on the item(s)

3. After you are notified that your items are ready to be picked up, you may come in to the library to pick them up.

• If you prefer, you can schedule a pick up time to pick up the items using our Contact-Free (Curbside) Pickup Service at the Arch St. entrance. Instructions on how to do this will be included in the notification you receive. 

Questions? Please call 860-695-6300 or email reference@hplct.org.

If you are a Hartford resident and need a library card, please fill out the online application found here: Get a Library Card.

You will be able to use our online resources right away. Once your card is processed, we will send it to you in the mail. The physical card will allow you to place holds and borrow library materials. 

HPL Central Branch

500 Main Street

Hartford, CT 06103

Phone: 860-695-6300 

Email: contactus@hplct.org
 

Reference/Information and Lending Services

Phone: 860-695-6295

Email: reference@hplct.org
 

For Branch locations and hours, click here.