City of Springfield
 Programs for Adults at the Springfield City Library |
Programs listed here are often suitable for all ages.
The Library also has a wide variety of programs specifically intended for children and teens.
Special Events | Computer classes | Author visits | Poetry | Bookclubs | Adult Literacy | Movies | Small Business | Civic Engagement
Consumer Credit Report Program
East Forest Park
Thursday, May 29, 2 pm
We know it's smart to get regular check-ups with the doctor to keep our bodies healthy. It's also smart to check up on our credit health, and one way to stay financially healthy is to keep tabs on our credit reports. We hear about this important document all the time, but what's really in it, and how does it get there? Find out at the East Forest Park Branch Library, on Thursday, May 29 at 2 pm when BankNorth representative Mike Linnehan visits. He'll explain what can affect your credit report, how to obtain a copy, and answer other questions. Plenty of informative financial health books will be on hand to be borrowed.
Please pre-register by calling 263-6836 or sign up online!
Chess Events for Adults in June!
Central Library and Forest Park Branch
The Springfield City Library invites you to join chess coach Haven Williams for a series of programs that are all about chess! Adults of all ages are welcome to participate, but we especially welcome the 50+ crowd to this series of events. Click here for more information and signup instructions.
Computer Training
The library offers a continuing series of classes in basic computer use, searching the Internet, subject-oriented research, and a variety of other topics. The current schedule is posted on the Hi!Tech@the Library page.
Trainings for the Foundation Center Online Database are scheduled quarterly, and can also be arranged upon request by contacting Donna Goldthwaite at 263-6828 x437 or dgoldthwaite@springfieldlibrary.org.
One-on-one introductory computer training is available by appointment at the Forest Park and East Forest Park Branches. Please contact those branches directly for more information.
Author Visits
The library hosts author events at branches throughout the system. Most events include author readings and lecture, as well as signings. Events may be either stand-alone visits or part of a thematic series. In March of 2008, the Friends of the Springfield Library are sponsoring a series of events with Massachusetts Book Award winning and honored authors.
2008 Events:
Author Visit: Suzanne Strempek Shea
Wednesday, June 4 at 6:00 in the
Forest Park Library Community Room
Suzanne Strempek Shea, author of a new book Sundays in America (published in April by Beacon Press), will speak and sign copies of her book. Sundays in America chronicles a yearlong spiritual journey by Shea attending different non-Catholic church services every Sunday throughout the United States. Click here for more information.
King Philip's War: Slide Show & Lecture
by Michael Tougias
Pine Point Branch
Thursday, June 26, 6 - 7 pm
Michael Tougias will give a lecture and slide presentation on the war between the Colonists and Native Americans in 1675-76. Tougias is the author of the acclaimed Until I Have No Country (A novel of King Philip's War) , and co-author of King Philip's War: The History and Legacy of America's Forgotten Conflict. For more information on this exciting program, click here.
Poetry / Writing Programs
The Central Library hosts a monthly Open Mic series, which is open to poets and creative writers of all ages. Writers meet and share their work at a collaborative creative writing group, which meets twice a month at the Central Library.
Every other year, the Library sponsors a Poetry Contest which is open to teens and adults across Western Massachusetts.
For details on all of these programs, visit the Poetry Page.
Book Discussion Groups
The Library hosts a number of monthly groups which discuss a pre-selected book, or share recent good reads. There are groups which meet at the Central Library, Mason Square, Forest Park, East Forest Park, and Sixteen Acres Branches. Visit the Book Discussion Group page to find the best group for you!
One Book, One Springfield, the citywide reading and discussion program sposored by the Library, is slated to return in Spring 2009. If you would like to get involved in this project, please contact Anna at 263-6828 x426 or abrandenburg@springfieldlibrary.org.
Adult Literacy - Read/Write/Now
The Read/Write/Now Adult Learning Center, based at the Pine Point Branch on Boston Road, provides adult basic education at no cost to participants.
R/W/N produces a Directory of Adult Basic Education programs in Springfield. The 2007 Directory is available online.
For more information, visit the Read/Write/Now
webpage, or contact project manager Janet Kelly at 263-6389.
Movies
The Forest Park Branch hosts regular screenings of popular family-friendly films. Light refreshments are provided. Visit the Forest Park Branch page for upcoming films!
Film series are also scheduled periodically at the Central Library.
A list of most recently purchased dvds, available to check out from the library, is updated monthly.
Small Business Start-up
Every few months, the Library offers a series of small business start-up workshops, in collaboration with the Western Massachusetts branch of the Small Business Administration.
Check the Small Business Workshops page, or contact the Library for upcoming dates.
Civic Engagement
The Forest Park Branch has a long tradition of sponsoring candidate debates, and State Representative Mary Rogeness (R) holds her office hours there on the second Tuesday of the month from 3:30 - 5 p.m.
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