Arts Paper | Arts Council of Greater New Haven | New Haven Free Public Library

Kun-Yong Kim and her daughter, teen card contest winner Jessica Park. Kim, who immigrated from Korea, now works in a genetics lab at Yale. Lucy Gellman Photos.

Dixwell Fest Closes Out Summer With Community

Drag Queen Story Hour Brings Magic To Mitchell Library

Wábi Fellows FOCUS On New Haven

Tywain Harris, "Repetition Becomes Rhythm."

Summer Learning Launches At The Library

June, Amelia, Inessa, and Liza Alford. Abiba Biao Photos.

Will The Library Ever Get To 1% Of The City Budget? Maybe, But Not This Year.

City Librarian Maria Bernhey in July 2023, on day one of her tenure as city librarian. Lucy Gellman File Photo.

Library Launches Card Design Contest

How A T-Shirt Contest Centered Community

Piano Lessons Come To Stetson

Tahj Robinson. Lucy Gellman Photos.

Arts & Ideas Launches Its 30th Season

Arts & Culture | Culture & Community | International Festival of Arts & Ideas | New Haven Free Public Library Lucy Gellman | April 7th, 2025

In Dixwell, Wise Wiki Editors Add To Black History

Arts & Anti-racism | Arts & Culture | Culture & Community | New Haven Free Public Library Lucy Gellman | March 17th, 2025

Laurel Coleman, who wants to create a Wikipedia entry for her mom, Dorothy Coleman. Lucy Gellman Photos.

Library Gets Loud & Lets The Good Times Roll

Arts & Culture | Culture & Community | New Haven Free Public Library Grayce Howe | March 7th, 2025

The moment guests stepped through the doorway, the library transformed. Instead of snugly packed shelves, bright lights danced across the walls in green and purple hues. Party masks and gem-colored beads lingered on the tables. Music sailed through the room, with silky-smooth vocals that got the house on its feet. As they mingled, guests found themselves sharing stories of their New Haven Free Public Library, their voices rising and falling in the normally-hushed space.

Need A Cake Pan? A Board Game? Try The Library.

Culture & Community | Education | Mutual aid | New Haven Free Public Library Abiba Biao | February 19th, 2025

“Just Protect The Books:” Readers Speak Up For Bill Defending Libraries & Librarians

A Puppeteer-Musician Brings Black History Month To Life

Arts & Anti-racism | Arts & Culture | Culture & Community | New Haven Free Public Library Grayce Howe | February 12th, 2025

Grace Howe Photos.

In Ink And Oil, An Artist's Quiet Rebellion

In The Hill, Three Kings Dance The Snow Away

"Big Dog" Gets Stetson In The Christmas Spirit

Chris "Big Dog" Davis with his "Stetson Star" Award. Abiba Biao Photos.

A Vision For Peace Appears In Fair Haven

Arts & Culture | Fair Haven | New Haven Free Public Library | Visual Arts Citizen Contribution | November 12th, 2024

Alexis Holmes Brings A "Gold Medal Mentality" To Stetson

Culture & Community | Dixwell | New Haven Free Public Library Lucy Gellman | November 11th, 2024

String Quartet Makes “Untold Stories” Sing

Freddy Fixer Honors Awardees, Names A New Leadership Team

Library Takes Pride In Drag Queen Story Hour

Sparkle Diamond and her young readers. Lucy Gellman Photos.

Young Artists Paint For Peace In Fair Haven

Thai Williams. Lucy Gellman Photos.

Teen Game Club Brings Summer Into The Library

Culture & Community | New Haven Free Public Library | Youth Arts Journalism Initiative Abraham Perez Orozco | August 5th, 2024

Abraham Perez Orozco Photos.

At Fair Haven Library, a Troupe of Amateur Archivists

Arts, Culture & Community | Beinecke Library | Fair Haven Library | New Haven Free Public Library Kapp Singer | June 17th, 2024

Jennifer Coggins teaches a workshop on “Preserving Your History: Getting Started with Your Own Archives" at NHFPL's Fair Haven Branch.

Pride Month Brings Drag And Delight To The Library

Ladybugs, Literacy Take Flight At Mitchell Library

Top: The caged ladybugs waiting to be released Bottom: Sun Holland receiving a ladybug. Abiba Biao Photos.

Library Launches Into Summer Learning

In Westville, Refugee Artists Shine A Light On Afghan Voices

Student Photographers Put New Eyes On New Haven

Frankensteins and 5-over-1s

The typical life of a "Frankenstein," illustrated by Zach Felder in the New Haven Building Newsprint. Photos Kapp Singer.

Big Read Dives Deep On Migration, Motherhood & Identity

Lucy Gellman Photos.

Kids Get Crafty at Library Lego Club

Arts, Culture & Community | Education & Youth | New Haven Free Public Library | Westville Kapp Singer | March 7th, 2024

Picking out the perfect piece. Photos Kapp Singer.

NHFPL Fundraiser Gets Festive

Arts, Culture & Community | Mardi Gras | New Haven Free Public Library Kapp Singer | February 21st, 2024

Andy Rubenoff, who managed the design for the Mardi Gras event. Photos Kapp Singer.

SWANA Keeps the Flame Burning for Black History

Black History Month | New Haven Free Public Library Lisa Reisman | February 7th, 2024

‘Science Evangelist’ Brings The Good News of Black Inventors

Black History Month | New Haven Free Public Library Kapp Singer | February 6th, 2024

Kids at the “Black Inventors Who Made the Stuff Around Us” workshop at the Ives Main Library on Saturday. Photos Kapp Singer.

Stetson Readies for MLK Keynote

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. | Education & Youth | Libraries | New Haven Free Public Library Danielle Campbell | January 15th, 2024

Three Kings Deliver for Zulay

Zulay Rodriguez at the Wilson Branch Library. Photos Lisa Reisman.

Stetson, Q House Transform Into A Winter Wonderland

In Fair Haven, Delight & Connection At Bilingual Story Hour

Nohra Bernal, a children's author, reads from "Que Viene El Lobo.” Elena Unger Photos.

At NHDocs, An Old Video Store Becomes A Mafia-Entangled Mystery

Graphics and animation by Carla Costanza.

Bibliophiles Boost Banned Books Week

State Rep. Dominique Johnson. Maia Kobabe's Gender Queer: A Memoir, which is next to her, is the most banned and challenged book of 2022. Lucy Gellman Photos.

Drag Artist Story Hour Springs To Life At Mitchell Library

New Haven PRIDE Returns, Marking New Beginnings

Alyssa Marie Cajigas Rivera Ortiz, development coordinator at the Center and Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director of the Children of Marsha P. Johnson. Musician, organizer and fellow CMPJ Co-Director Erycka Ortiz is to her right. Lucy Gellman Photos.

LIT Fest Brings Black Romance To Dixwell

Krystal Marquis and Margo Hendricks ("I'm a badge thief!" she joked of wearing author Nicole Jackson's badge during the presentation). Lucy Gellman Photos.

At Mitchell, Three Artists Offer Up Their Visions

Arts & Culture | New Haven Free Public Library | Visual Arts Abiba Biao | August 27th, 2023

On First Day, City Librarian Starts On Page One

City Librarian Maria Bernhey. Lucy Gellman Photos.

Newly Unveiled Portrait Captures City Librarian's Legacy Of Light

Arts & Culture | Community Heroes | Culture & Community | New Haven Free Public Library Lucy Gellman | July 3rd, 2023

Jessen's sons, William and Jack, unveiling the portrait of their dad, the late City Librarian John Jessen. Lucy Gellman Photos.

Wábi Fellows Hone Their Focus

Photography by rising Hamden High School senior Maria Ashe. An exhibition of work by students in Wàbi Gallery's Focus Fellowship Program runs at the Mitchell Branch Library, 37 Harrison St., through June 30.

Library Kicks Off Summer Learning With Book Joy

Rapunzel Jonae Hill doing story time. Abiba Biao Photos.

Neighborhood Festival Brings Early Summer To Dixwell

Sheree Baldwin-Muhammad. Lucy Gellman Photos.

New City Librarian Leads With Equity Focus

Arts & Culture | Culture & Community | Elicker Administration | New Haven Free Public Library Lucy Gellman | May 26th, 2023

Maria Bernhey, who begins her tenure as City Librarian on July 1. Lucy Gellman Photo.

"Alma Semilla" Plants Seeds Of Justice At The Fair Haven Library

Rubén Rodríguez Ferreira. Lucy Gellman Photos.

As Budget Season Begins, Library Braces For Big Changes

Arts & Anti-racism | Arts & Culture | Culture & Community | New Haven Free Public Library Lucy Gellman | March 15th, 2023

Lucy Gellman Photo.

ConnCORP, Stetson Close Out Black History Month In Style

Library Lets The Good Times Roll

Filmmaker and photographer Lydia Douglas tears up the dance floor during the Cupid Shuffle. Lucy Gellman Photos.

Co-Op Students Master The Art Of Pet Adoption

Stetson Faithfuls Bid Farewell To 200 Dixwell Ave.

Lucy Gellman Photos.

"Stetson Stories" Weave Memory Into Magic

Hanan Hameen. Lucy Gellman Photos.

Black Haven Takes A BITE Out Of History

Cutting the ribbon on the celebration. From left to right: BLOOM Owner Alisha Crutchfield, City Economic Development Administrator Mike Piscitelli, Stetson Branch Manager Diane Brown, Black Haven Founder and Director Salwa Abdussabur, State Senior Development Specialist Lindy Lee Gold, Filmmaker and Musician Kolton Harris, and City Cultural Affairs Director Adriane Jefferson. Lucy Gellman Photos.

In The Hill, Three Kings Arrive With Perfect Rhythm

Anaily Amaro learning about Bomba for the first time. Lucy Gellman Photos.

They Carried Us: Our 2022 Top 10

Dakarai Langley at Betsy Ross Arts Magnet School’s Winterfest earlier this year. Maya McFadden Photo.

A Big Dog Christmas Arrives On Dixwell Avenue

Stetson, Shubert Give The Nutcracker A Hip-Hop Twist

Danielle Campbell Photos.

NHFPL Holiday Bazaar Celebrates Local Makers

Arts & Culture | Culture & Community | New Haven Free Public Library Neha Middela | December 11th, 2022

Ramirez, a self-described science evangelist who is moving from author to entrepreneur. Neha Middela Photos.

Two Artists Breathe Brightness Into Mitchell Library

Arts & Culture | New Haven Free Public Library | Visual Arts | Youth Arts Journalism Initiative Abiba Biao | December 9th, 2022

Artist Kathleen DeMeo at an opening of the show last week. Abiba Biao Photos.

Freddy Fixer Builds Back, Tiptoes Towards TikTok

Diamond Tree: "It’s part of our essence. It’s a part of our soul." Lucy Gellman Photos.

At LIT Fest, The Future Is Black

Author Rosamond White, reading from her book Home: Where Is Home? Lucy Gellman Photos.

A Composer Finds The Music In James Baldwin’s Words

Judge Clifton Graves and composer Joel Thompson. Lucy Gellman Photos.

Freddy Fixer Focuses On Its Future

Arnold Hunter, one of about two dozen participants at an Elm City Freddy Fixer Parade Committee Meeting last week. Lucy Gellman Photos.

Plastic, Paint Become A Form Of Protest

All artwork by students; Lucy Gellman Photos.

Courtland S. Wilson Remembered In The Hill

Arts & Culture | Culture & Community | New Haven Free Public Library | The Hill Olivia Charis | September 12th, 2022

Olivia Charis Photos.

Two Artists Find The Light At Mitchell

Larry Morse and Jane Gilman Fleischner. Their joint exhibition,“In Need of More Light," runs at the Mitchell Branch Library through August 30. Abiba Biao Photos.

At Stetson, Long Wharf & Big Dog Put Their Spin On Jazz History

Chris "Big Dog" Davis with Ace Livingston and Dexter Pettaway, Sr. Lucy Gellman Photos.

Mobile Market Provides Produce To The Public

Kae Vargas. Alisha Martindale Photos.

A New Haven Author Finds Her Story

At CAW, Artists Commune With Octavia Butler

Maureen Sullivan Named Interim City Librarian

Arts & Culture | Culture & Community | New Haven Free Public Library Lucy Gellman | June 16th, 2022

A former president of the American Library Association (ALA) and veteran of guiding libraries through transitions has been tapped to lead the New Haven Free Public Library for the next six months. As she comes into the system, Maureen Sullivan is focused on meeting and retaining staff, centering the library’s educational role, and making sure the city knows just how vital its public library system is.

Mitchell Library Garden Gets (Lady)Buggy

Arts & Culture | New Haven Free Public Library | Westville | Youth Arts Journalism Initiative Zofia Filipczak | June 13th, 2022

Zofia Filipczak Photos.

Dixwell Comes Out To Celebrate Stetson And Summer

“A Light That Cannot Be Extinguished:” City Librarian John Jessen Dies At 56

Live From Stetson, Long Wharf Launches A Season "For Everyone"

Women’s 20th Century Club Shines A Light Into The Future

Horn Hangout Brings Brass To The Library

Arts & Culture | Music | New Haven Free Public Library | Youth Arts Journalism Initiative Makeda Murray | May 10th, 2022

Makeda Murray Photo.

Holi Arrives Brightly In Westville

Arts & Culture | Holi | New Haven Free Public Library | Westville Renaissance Arts (WRVA) Al Larriva-Latt | April 25th, 2022

"Tlaxcala Friendship Day" Opens A Door To Mexico

Anxiety, Optimism Mix At Third Long Wharf Town Hall

Arts & Culture | Long Wharf Theatre | New Haven Free Public Library | Theater Al Larriva-Latt | April 4th, 2022

Library Backers Boost Expanded Sunday Hours In City's Proposed Budget

Elicker Administration | New Haven Free Public Library | The Hill Lucy Gellman | March 31st, 2022

Monk Family Sets The Soundtrack To Stetson, Shubert Community Collab

"A Labor Of Love:" New Stetson Opens Its Doors On Dixwell Avenue

"Women Who Fight" Makes Its Mark In Fair Haven

Youth Get A Glimpse Into Jaigantic Vision

In Westville, An Artist Unpacks "The Waste Land"

The Game of Chess. All artwork by Magdalena Fin. Al Larriva-Latt Photos.

Poets Make Mardi Gras A Library Lovefest

Honorée Fanonne Jeffers and Reginald Dwayne Betts Tuesday night. Screenshot from YouTube.

At Lunarfest, "The Farewell" Strikes A Chord

Co-Op Students Paint A Path To Pet Adoption

In The Hill, Wilson Keeps Three Kings Day Joy Alive

Arts & Culture | COVID-19 | New Haven Free Public Library | The Hill Lucy Gellman | January 6th, 2022

Students Put Healing On The Map

Homegrown Makers Shine At NHFPL Holiday Bazaar

Arts & Culture | Culture & Community | Economic Development | New Haven Free Public Library Jadan Anderson | December 8th, 2021

Stetson Storytime Becomes Library Open House

Arts & Culture | Culture & Community | Dixwell | New Haven Free Public Library Lucy Gellman | December 3rd, 2021

Need A Booster? Try The Library.

Deltas Get A First Look At The New Stetson

Outdoor Expo Brings Oaxaca To Fair Haven

In Photos: Dixwell Parties In The Plaza

The Connecticut Center for Arts and Technology (ConnCAT) and Connecticut Community Outreach Revitalization Program (ConnCORP) hosted “Thank You Dixwell Community” Block Party last Saturday in the parking lot behind Dixwell Plaza. The location builds on a budding relationship between Stetson Library, which was located in the plaza for years and is now moving to the Q House, and ConnCAT. Sam Hadelman tells the story in photos from the event.

Hill Neighbors Weigh In On American Rescue Plan

Three Fair Haven Artists Fête Essential Workers

At "Civic Space," Public Calls For Federal Aid To Youth

Roberts, at center. Nia Riles-Mathis and Hyclis Williams are on either side of him. Lucy Gellman Photos.

Stetson And ConnCAT Play In Summer In Dixwell

Arts & Culture | COVID-19 | Dixwell | New Haven Free Public Library Lucy Gellman | June 30th, 2021

Top: The drum circle, which included lessons for kids and their families. Bottom: Elaine Peters and Eric Rey were among Saturday's performers. Lucy Gellman Photos.

Two "Five Star" Murals Take Shape In Hill

10-year-old Emanuel Diaz, who came out to paint last Saturday. Lucy Gellman Photos.

Dixwell Comes Out For "Stetson On The Street"

Olivia Gross Photos.

Seed Exchange, Sunflowers Sprout From Wilson Library

"Big Dog" Heals The World, Note By Note

Bibliophiles Go To Bat for Mitchell Library

In First Budget Hearing, New Haveners Come To Library's Defense

COVID-19 | New Haven Free Public Library | Westville Lucy Gellman | March 9th, 2021

"You Don't Shut Down A Library"

Poets, Public Weave A Mardi Gras Love Song To Libraries

Library Lunch Talk Channels Winchester's Lost History

CT Black Librarians Chart A Legacy Of Justice

Three Kings Arrive In The Hill

Arts & Culture | COVID-19 | New Haven Free Public Library | The Hill Lucy Gellman | January 8th, 2021

Library Lends Out WiFi Lifelines

Business Outreach Librarian Gina Bingham outside the main branch of the New Haven Free Public Library. Lucy Gellman Photo.

Library Lands $146,000 To Help With Reopening

In The Name Of Access, Library Goes Fine Free

Stetson Zooms In On New Haven's Black History

Finn Wiggins-Henry Sings Through Self-Discovery

Kwadwo Adae Paints Protest through Portraiture

Stetson Reopens For Curbside Pickup, Printing Help

Arts & Culture | COVID-19 | Dixwell | New Haven Free Public Library Lucy Gellman | July 17th, 2020

Library Rolls Out Curbside Pickup

Arts & Culture | Books | COVID-19 | New Haven Free Public Library Lucy Gellman & Arturo Pineda | July 6th, 2020

Chris "Big Dog" Davis Shifts His Focus

Mixed Bag For Arts In Final City Budget

Public Pushes Back On Proposed Library Cuts

Doors Closed, Library Focuses On Digital Resources

Arts & Culture | COVID-19 | New Haven Free Public Library Lucy Gellman | March 18th, 2020

Above: some of the resources offered on Overdrive. Pictured below at left: City Librarian John Jessen. Lucy Gellman File Photo.

At Stetson, Artist-Entrepreneurs Close Out Black History Month

Arts & Culture | Black History Month | New Haven Free Public Library Lucy Gellman | February 28th, 2020

At Mardi Gras, NHFPL Centers Story

Arts & Culture | Downtown | Mardi Gras | New Haven Free Public Library Lucy Gellman | February 26th, 2020

Miguel Mendoza Brings His World To New Haven

Arts & Culture | Downtown | New Haven Free Public Library | Visual Arts Lucy Gellman | January 31st, 2020

Library Superstar Steps Onto Hamden Arts Scene

Arts & Culture | Hamden | Hamden Department of Arts & Culture | New Haven Free Public Library Lucy Gellman | January 28th, 2020

25 Years In, Arts & Ideas Tries To Democratize

Arts & Culture | International Festival of Arts & Ideas | New Haven Free Public Library Lucy Gellman | January 22nd, 2020

Library Lends Census Efforts A Crafty Hand

Arts & Culture | Census 2020 | New Haven Free Public Library Lucy Gellman | January 13th, 2020

John Jessen Named City Librarian

Arts & Culture | Culture & Community | New Haven Free Public Library Lucy Gellman | December 24th, 2019

Santa Makes Library Detour En Route To North Pole

Arts & Culture | Festivus | New Haven Free Public Library Lucy Gellman | December 20th, 2019

City Librarian Gets A Proper Send-Off

Arts, Culture & Community | Downtown | New Haven Free Public Library Lucy Gellman | October 31st, 2019

The Creative Economy Lands At The Library

Arts & Culture | New Haven Free Public Library Lucy Gellman | September 11th, 2019

Ives Gallery Wants Your Art!

Arts & Culture | New Haven Free Public Library | Visual Arts Staff | September 11th, 2019

Orchid Cafe Makes It Official Downtown

ConnCAT Grows Its Culinary Footprint To The Library

ConnCAT | Culinary Arts | Culture & Community | New Haven Free Public Library Lucy Gellman | August 13th, 2019

"The Public" Hits Home At The Library

Arts & Culture | Downtown | Film | New Haven Free Public Library Jillie Ginty | July 30th, 2019

Ives Book Club Turns The Page To Immigration

Arts & Culture | Books | Downtown | New Haven Free Public Library Gregory Gagliardi | June 28th, 2019

Voices Raised, And Heard, For Literacy

A Mural Blooms At Wilson

NHFPL Snags Nation’s Highest Honor

New Haven Searches For Home

Meet Our New Crew

Education & Youth | New Haven Free Public Library | Youth Arts Journalism Initiative Lucy Gellman, Melanie Espinal, YAJI Cohort 2019 | April 19th, 2019

As Finalist, Public Library Takes The Cake

Learning Our HERstory

Arts & Culture | New Haven Free Public Library | Theater Leah Andelsmith | April 2nd, 2019

Fat Tuesday Rolls Out For Reading

Mitchell Whisks Away The Winter Blues

Arts & Culture | New Haven Free Public Library | Visual Arts | Westville Lucy Gellman | February 18th, 2019

New Haven Makes Makers

Arts, Culture & Community | Downtown | MakeHaven | New Haven Free Public Library Leah Andelsmith | February 13th, 2019

Dan Gries Cracks The Code

Arts & Culture | Downtown | New Haven Free Public Library | Visual Arts Lucy Gellman | February 4th, 2019

A Bibliophile Comes Home

Arts, Culture & Community | Books | New Haven Free Public Library | The Hill Lucy Gellman | November 28th, 2018

From Detroit To Dixwell, “Paradise Blue” Echoes

Ives Wants Your Art!

Arts & Culture | New Haven Free Public Library | Visual Arts Lucy Gellman | October 25th, 2018

Paper or Plastic? Do We Have A Choice?

Lost At Sea . Karen Marks Photos.

Ives Squared Draws A Crowd—And A Protest

Lucy Gellman Photos.

Imaginary Theater Company Searches for Stars

Actor Kelley Knight: . Karen Marks Photos

Welcome To "Ives Squared"

After years of planning, renovation, and funding from the Elm City Innovation Collaborative and City of New Haven, Ives Squared will open at the New Haven Free Public Library on June 27. Lucy Gellman Photos.

Mitchell Lets The Good Times Roll

Westvillian Travis Carbonella, or King of Mardi Gras 2018? Lucy Gellman Photos.

Outsiders Come To The Stage

A Hanukkah Hora In Westville

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Fair Haven Branch Turns 100, And Looks Ahead

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Library Lays Plans For A Cafe

City Librarian Martha Brogan out on the library's Ives Branch patio, which faces out toward Elm Street and gives an elevated view of the city. Lucy Gellman Photos.

Books For Black Excellence

Diane Brown on her way to receive an "I Love My Librarian" award. Markeshia Ricks for the New Haven Independent.

Ives Wants Your Art!

Arts & Culture | Books | New Haven Free Public Library Lucy Gellman | October 31st, 2017

Arts Council of Greater New Haven Blog