Wethersfield Public Library Competitors

The part of the lands once inhabited by the Podunk Indians saw its first permanent colonists in 1635, when Thomas Hooker and his followers came from Cambridge, Massachusetts, to found Hartford. The east side of the Connecticut River was at that time part of Hartford. Initially settled about 1640, early settlers here included William Goodwin, Thomas Burnham and William Pitkin. The first petition by residents to establish a separate Town was rejected by the General Assembly in 1726. Several more petitions were submitted between that year and 1783, when the Assembly at last gave its approval to the incorporation of East Hartford. The Town then received its Charter from the State of Connecticut on land area taken from the City of Hartford. Today, the Town of East Hartford is governed by a strong Mayor form of government. The Charter empowers the Mayor to govern the Town in cooperation with an elected nine-member Town Council and Town Treasurer. The Chairman of the Town Council is also the Deputy Mayor and his powers include the power to approve and adopt the Annual Budget, the power to enact ordinances, the power to fix penalties and fines, and the powers of subpoena and investigation.

Town Hall in Newington CT - Newington was part of the Town of Wethersfield until 1871. Early names for the area were “Pipestave Swamp,” then “Cow Plain,” and later, “West Farms.” These reflected its use first as a source of staves for making “pipes” (large sized barrels) used in colonial trade, then a pasture for cattle, and eventually, the new farms taken up by descendants of early Wethersfield settlers who had been given grants on the western frontier of their riverside town. By 1721 there were enough new farmers on these grants to request that the General Assembly of the Colony of Connecticut give them the name “Newington.”

Our Mission Hartford Public Library provides free resources that inspire reading, guide learning, and encourage individual exploration. Our Vision The Library will be a national leader in redefining the urban public library in the 21st century as an innovative and stimulating place where people can learn and discover, explore their passions, and find a rich array of resources that contribute to a full life. Our Core Values Providing service excellence Achieving results Collaborating to achieve the Library’s mission Our Value Proposition Democratizing access to information and opportunity. We serve the people of City of Hartford, our principal funders and customers. We are in and of the community…a place like no other. We are a gateway for immigrants and refugees…an early literacy center for preschoolers…a wifi hot spot and business office for area workers…an exhibit space for artists…a technology resource for residents and visitors…a lender of books and other educational and entertaining materials… a training center for the development of new skills…the repository of Hartford’s history…a gathering place for people to relax, explore, learn, and grow. One Core Idea At Hartford Public Library, you will discover a place like no other. Through its mix of enriching resources, you can find a place that provides the spark for your conversation, the power for your passion, the courage for your soul and the food for your mind. It is more than just pages. It is the window to knowledge and understanding of the world. Our Six Priorities Community-wide service and branches Commitment to literacy Expanded presence, profile and partnerships Board governance and organizational excellence Development and financial sustainability Current technology