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HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | GIVING GUIDE 2022 19 WHAT DOES YOUR ORGANIZATION DO? We democratize access to information and opportunity. We serve the people of the City of Hartford, our community stakeholders and customers. We are in and of the community, a place like no other. We are a gateway for immigrants and refugees; an early litera- cy center for preschoolers; a Wi-Fi hotspot and business office for workers; an exhibit space for artists; a technology resource for residents and visitors; a lender of books and other edu- cational and entertainment materials; a skills training center; the repository of Hartford's history; and a gathering place for people to relax, explore and grow. The American Place — our adult education, careers and immi- grant services division — has been nationally recognized and is the recent recipient of more than $730,000 in federal grants to expand immigrants' banking access and bolster citizenship education among immigrant youth. We also host the Hartford History Center, which holds more than 50,000 books, trade publications, postcards, photo- graphs and pieces of memorabilia, including centuries worth of archives and official municipal documents. The center was recently named a Connecticut History Gamechanger by Connecticut Explored magazine. The ArtWalk at Hartford Public Library offers one of the largest and most stunning exhibition spaces in the area. The gallery — made possible through generous donors, particularly the Beatrice Fox Auerbach Foundation Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving — highlights local artists across mediums. No two exhibitions are alike. The Edward C. & Ann T. Roberts Foundation has been a longtime supporter of the ArtWalk. This season is also funded in part by Suzanne Hopgood in memory of Frank Lord. A new addition to Hartford Public Library – the Digital Library Lab – is a social enterprise that provides one-stop imaging, digital ar- chiving and photography services for businesses, nonprofits and municipalities, with a focus on 2D and 3D objects and artifacts. Through a mix of enriching resources, we provide the spark for your conversations, the power for your passions, the courage for your soul and the food for your mind. GOALS FOR THE NEXT 12 MONTHS. We recently adopted a three-year strategy that will guide us through 2025. Our goals include: Goal 1: Continue providing a wide variety of high-quality services and carefully assess priorities, including expansion opportunities Goal 2: Prioritize community engagement Goal 3: Expand physical and virtual access to our programs and services throughout the city Goal 4: Continue to prioritize employee development and internal communication Time and time again, we have proven ourselves to be a vital civ- ic anchor and we look forward to continuing to work with staff and community members to increase access to our programs and services and identify strategic expansion opportunities. FUNDRAISING EVENTS/OPPORTUNITIES Beyond Words is our annual signature fundraising event. The library goes 'beyond words' every day, with diverse and trans- formative programs and services for our community. This December, Beyond Words celebrates the creative expres- sion that happens at each library location every day. Save the date for this can't-miss event, which will be held Thursday, De- cember 8th, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Hartford Marriott Down- town. For more information, or ticket purchases or sponsorship inquiries, visit the event website, HPLBeyondWords.com. In prior years, the fundraiser has welcomed acclaimed authors including Wally Lamb, Victor LaValle, Jacqueline Woodson and Reyna Grande as keynote speakers. Since 2016, over $1.3 million has been raised to support library programming for all ages. VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Hartford Public Library offers numerous volunteer opportunities across the organization including many at The American Place, the library's adult education, careers and immigrant services di- vision. These roles can include citizenship mock interview coach, citizenship test tutor, cultural navigator, ESL tutor, immigrant/ refugee youth mentor, job readiness coach, literacy tutor and, critically, pro bono naturalization attorney. Since 2019, Shipman & Goodwin's pro bono partnership with The American Place has contributed more than $220,000 worth of in- kind legal services to immigrants applying for U.S. citizenship. "The American Place is very special to me," says Shipman & Goodwin attorney Bradley Harper. "I believe in its mission and believe that now, more than ever, our community should stand behind our neighbors who are immigrants." For more information about volunteering at The American Place at Hartford Public Library, or in another role at the library, call 860- 695-6337, email tap@hplct.org or visit www.bit.ly/HPLvolunteers. HARTFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY MISSION: We provide free resources that inspire reading, guide learning and encourage personal exploration. 500 MAIN STREET, HARTFORD, CT 06103 | 860-695-6300 | HPLCT.ORG ABOUT US Year established: 1893 Annual revenues: $11.6 million Total number of employees: 130 GEOGRAPHIC SERVICE AREA(S): The Greater Hartford area TOP FUNDING SOURCES City contributions: 73% Grants: 9% Earned/other: 7% Endowment: 6% Gifts: 5% LEADERSHIP Bridget E. Quinn, President & CEO BOARD OF DIRECTORS David Barrett, Chair Phyllis Shikora, Vice-Chair Steven M. Harris, Secretary Rick Costello, Treasurer Ana Alfaro Arunan Arulampalam Melvyn Colón Andréa Comer Gregory C. Davis Andrew Diaz-Matos Carlos Galdamez Floyd W. Green III Suzanne M. Hopgood Sara Lashetski Antonio J. Matta Sarah G. Needham Daniel P. O'Shea, Jr. Mark Overmyer-Velázquez Karen Taylor Geraldine Sullivan, Director Emeritus Hon. Mayor Luke A. Bronin, ExOfficio "e Digital Library Lab is a new, social enterprise venture that speaks to Hartford Public Library's commitment to the community, to innovation and to education. In 2019, Hartford Public Library received Bank of America's Neighborhood Builder Award, which recognizes the library as a nonprofit leader willing to tackle tough issues. Giving to the library is an investment in our collective future. We are thankful for Hartford Public Library for the national example it sets to foster economic mobility, adult education, youth engagement and workforce readiness." Joe Gianni President, Bank of America Greater Hartford Young girls dance on stage during a Diwali celebration at Hartford Public Library.