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  

• 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.