Black History Month Spotlight of the Week:
Martha Rae Nelson of Hartford Public Library

A special thanks to Julie Styles for nominating Martha Rae Nelson in recognition for her leadership and service to Connecticut’s homeless response system and the people it serves.

Senior Library Assistant Martha Rea Nelson greets every library visitor with a warm smile and a welcoming hello. Sometimes, she shares a favorite mantra or even a poem. But she really shines when working with customers who are facing housing or food insecurity.

She has helped organize library social hours, which have allowed visitors to sit together, enjoy a snack, and converse about improvements to the library, services they need, favorite books, poetry…anything they want.

She was a part of the team that helped run our “Warm Welcome” program. In 2019, the library piloted a program that opened the doors to the building 90 minutes before we officially open for business, allowing folks coming directly from nearby shelters and food pantries to have a warm place to wait.

She is always looking for ways to better serve our customers, particularly those struggling with basic needs. Her positive attitude and energy make the library a vibrant, welcoming place for all of Hartford.

Do you have somebody who deserves recognition during Black History Month? Click here to read about how you can share your nomination.