Hartford Public Library

Welcome to the Library.....

The purpose of the Hartford Public Library shall be to assemble, preserve and administer, in organized collections; books, educational and recreational material; to promote communication of ideas, leading to an enlightened citizenship and the personal enrichment of the public.

Our Service Area

The library serves the City if Hartford, Hartford Township and the Hartford School District (which includes sections of Bangor and Keeler Townships).

LIBRARY HOURS

• Monday       10am to 7pm
• Tuesday      10am to 5pm
• Wednesday 10am to 7pm
• Thursday     10am to 5pm
• Friday         10am to 5pm
• Saturday     10am to 2pm

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Brief History

Mrs. Elnora Chamberlain presented the idea of a town library in 1895 to the Woman's Club. Each member agreed to bring one book to be donated as a start. The first library board was formed. The first library was located in the back room of the Merriman Bank at Main & Center Streets. The library grew and soon moved to a room across from Ely Park. When George Merriman died the son gave the Merriman homestead for the library. The home was built in 1870-71 and has 5 fireplaces and ornate leaded glass windows. The handcarved woodwork and stairway are typical of late 19th century elegance. The first state aid was received in 1940 and it became a free library supported by both Hartford village and township.In 1965, the library became a distict library. Two additions have been added as well as over 40,000 volumes. We have 14 public access computers, fax, photocopy and color printers.

• Online Catalog
• Click on the above link to access our online catalog.
• See Interlibrary Loan page for link to MEL database.
• AR Books for School Reading Program.
• Adult Book Club
• After School Programs
• Children's Story Hour
• Children's Computers
• Copy Machine
• Fax machine
• Friends of the Library
• Local Genealogy & History
• Public Computers with Word Processing.
• Public Internet Computers
• Reference Assistance
• School Report Assistance
• Summer Reading Program
• Teen Book Club
• Typewriter