Hartford's public library started in 1904 and was staffed by a volunteer, Juno Goetz, until 1906 when the City agreed to give the library a $100 contribution.  To read more about the history through 2018, please visit the following link:  History of the Hartford Public Library:  The Road to Park Avenue  

New Building
The Jack Russell Memorial Library provides the opportunity to expand and enhance Library services to the City of Hartford and surrounding communities. The current location at 100 Park Ave. opened to the public in October of 2011. 
Your community library offers:
  • A separate teen area appealing to reading and musical interests, featuring special programming, book clubs, and gaming sessions.
  • A community room, designed to hold various library programs and community meetings, even after hours.
  • Consolidation of circulation, Interlibrary Loan, cataloging, and processing operations enabling these tasks to be completed away from the primary service desk.
  • Expanded adult programming in cooperation with the Friends of the Library including book clubs, literacy projects, computer assistance, book discussions, consumer information programs, and adult/children sessions.
  • Expanded Hartford History Room offering genealogical research materials, local history collections, and displays of community interest.
  • Special quiet reading areas overlooking the Mill Pond, complete with comfortable chairs, magazines, and newspapers.
  • Three small study rooms for small group meetings, one-on-one tutoring, and quiet study.
  • Nineteen Internet workstations throughout the facility.
  • WI-FI capability to enabling owners of laptops and other mobile devices to use the Library.
  • Green design and heating and cooling system making it less costly to operate.
  • Design codes that comply with current standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act for entrances, restrooms, and public service stations, including wider aisles and shorter shelves.
  • A 24-hour drive through materials return.
  • Customer service desks in all departments.
  • Over 100 public parking spaces to increase accessibility to the downtown.