Author: Elizabeth McKinstry

Descubra su verano: ¡lea y gane premios!

¡Únase al Club de Lectura del Verano 2021 para niñxs, adolescentes y adultxs en la Biblioteca de Springfield!

Este verano, del 14 de junio al 14 de agosto del 2021, ¡únase a nuestro club de lectura Descubra Su Verano para leer y obtener recompensas, y participar en sorteos de premios!

¡Este año ofrecemos tanto el registro de lectura en papel, como la opción de jugar en línea usando Beanstack! Entre en https://springfieldlibrary.beanstack.org a partir del 14 de junio. ¡Vea estas instrucciones para Beanstack!

Niñas, niños, y niñxs de 0-5 años

  • ¡Leerle a un(a) niñx todos los días le ayuda a convertirse en LECTOR(A)!
  • Coloreen un círculo por cada día que lean juntos.
  • Complete 30 días de lectura y la biblioteca le pedirá un libro de su elección – simplemente llene el formulario en la parte posterior de su registro y entréguelo en su biblioteca más cercana.

Niñxs, adolescentes y adultxs

  • ¡Lea todos los días!
  • Lea al menos 20 minutos al día, luego coloree o seleccione un círculo.
  • Complete 30 días de lectura y la biblioteca le pedirá un libro de su elección – simplemente llene el formulario en la parte posterior de su registro y entréguelo en su biblioteca más cercana.
¿Qué cuenta como lectura?

Libros • Revistas • Novelas gráficas, cómics y manga • Audiolibros • Libros electrónicos • Artículos en línea • Manuales de videojuegos • Leer en familia • Asistir a la Hora de Cuentos • Leerles a sus mascotas y juguetes • ¡Y más!

¡Lea, escriba y gane!

  • Para niñes, adolescentes y adultos, escriba una reseña de cada libro que haya leído, envíela a un/a bibliotecario/a y gane un boleto para el sorteo por cada reseña escrita.
  • Entregue su registro y reseña(s) en persona, o hágalo digitalmente con Beanstack en https://springfieldlibrary.beanstack.org a partir del 14 de junio.
  • ¡Los premios del sorteo incluyen una Nintendo Switch Lite con caja y juego!

Nintendo Switch Lite and case and Minecraft Game

¡Y hay más!

Obtenga su registro de lectura

¡Puede recoger su registro de lectura en la Recogida en la Acera o descargar e imprimirlo a continuación!

Reading Log 2021 – haga clic para descargar (inglés)

Registro de Lectura 2021 – haga clic para descargar (Español)

Statement on Racial Justice

Statement from the Library Director and the Springfield Library Commission on Racial Justice

June 5, 2020

On behalf of the Springfield Library Commission and the Library Administration, we are writing to share our personal sense of heartbreak and devastation at the events surrounding the killing of George Floyd by a white police officer in Minneapolis. And we join you and the Springfield Community in your grief and justified anger. As we witness repeated episodes of violence and killings perpetrated against our Black Community by rogue police officers, it is impossible not to experience a deep sense of outrage, disbelief and grief. We honor the lives of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and so many others. We are reaching out to you to share the grief and anger that we know you also feel, but also to reaffirm our common resolve. Both as private citizens and as members of this great institution, we must all do what we can to ensure that we foster a culture of inclusion, equity, and respect for one another. We promise to keep our resolve and strengthen our combined efforts against systemic racism until we can all see that this time justice will prevail and endure. We need to look to each other for strength and hope, and recommit ourselves to our shared goals of making the world a better place for all, especially black and brown people. Now is the time for us to come together as we serve together. Our work has never been more critical. Our concern for each other has never been more important.

We saw a young woman at a recent protest holding a sign with a quote from Angela Davis. It reads, “I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept” This quote is a perfect nest of powerful words to reflect about George Floyd’s death and a call to justice. These words beg people and organizations to change this unacceptable and systemic racism.

The Springfield Library Commission cherishes the work that library staff perform to address literacy challenges, the digital divide, to provide a place where everyone can share ideas and gain knowledge. We believe the incredible mission of the Springfield City Library serves as a powerful force to counter many inequities including racism.

The Springfield City Library is proud to have signed the Urban Library Council’s Statement on Race and Social Equity through which we, along with 167 other Urban Libraries have steadfastly committed to:

  • Eliminating racial and social equity barriers in library programs, services, policies and practices.
  • Creating and maintaining an environment of diversity , inclusion and respect both in our library system and in all aspects of our community role.
  • Ensuring that we are reaching and engaging disenfranchised people in the community and helping them express their voice.
  • Serving as a convener and facilitator of conversations and partnerships to address community challenges.
  • Being forthright on tough issues that are important to our communities.

It is our collective responsibility to examine what we are doing now in light of our commitments that we signed onto, to reevaluate our services and internal culture and to constantly improve and stand with our communities of color.

In the words of the great Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr:

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”

Sincerely,

Stephen Cary: Chair, Springfield Library Commission

Molly Fogarty: Library Director

Molly Fogarty, Director
Springfield City Library – All Yours, Just Ask
220 State St.
Springfield, MA 01103
413-263-6828 ext. 290
lfogarty@springfieldlibrary.org

Stephen Cary
scary@focusspringfield.com

BLACKOUTTUESDAY Resources

#BLACKOUTTUESDAY – Educational Resources to Explore

Massachusetts first lady Lauren Baker, Springfield officials launch PJ Drive for children (Masslive.com)

The first lady of the commonwealth was joined by Blades, the mascot of the Boston Bruins hockey team, and by local officials and library patrons.

By Peter Goonan | pgoonan@repub.com

SPRINGFIELD — Lauren Baker, the wife of Gov. Charlie Baker, joined Springfield officials at the new East Forest Park branch library on Friday to help kick off the 13th annual PJ Drive to provide new pajamas to needy children around Massachusetts.

The first lady of the commonwealth was joined by Blades, the mascot of the Boston Bruins hockey team, and by local officials and library patrons.

“Last year we were in Pittsfield, this year we are in Springfield and we are trying to get to all of the commonwealth because there are kids in needs of pajamas everywhere,” Lauren Baker said. “We are trying to make that happen.”

The PJ Drive is sponsored by the Boston Bruins in partnership with the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno said the PJ Drive “will go a long way in helping our children.”

The drive benefits the Department of Children and Families Wonderfund and Cradles to Crayons.

All pajamas donated to the drive will be given to children and teens living in foster care, and local donations benefit local children.

“I’m very excited to have this kick off at our new East Forest Park library,” said Molly Fogarty, the city’s director of libraries. “It’s a really very important effort.”

Read more and see all the great photos here!

Boston Bruins 13th annual PJ Drive held in Springfield to help children, teens living in foster care (WWLP)

The Boston Bruins PJ Drive was held at the new East Forest Park Branch Library in Springfield Friday afternoon.

by: Ariana Tourangeau

SPRINGFIELD, Mass (WWLP) – The 13th annual Boston Bruins PJ Drive was held at the new East Forest Park Branch Library in Springfield Friday afternoon.

Massachusetts libraries team up with the Boston Bruins to collect pajamas that will be donated to children and teens living in foster care during February and March. The drive benefits the Department of Children and Families Wonderfund and Cradles to Crayons.

The First Lady of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Lauren Baker, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, and Blades the Boston Bruins mascot were all at the kick-off celebration.

“I cannot thank First Lady Lauren Baker enough for all of her contributions to our communities across the Commonwealth, especially to our youths and libraries. In collaboration with our Springfield City Libraries, the Department of Children and Families, and the Boston Bruins, this event will go a long way in helping our children.”

-Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno said in a news release sent to 22News

 

Click here for the whole article!

Presidential Primary Election – Tuesday, March 3

Elections are Tuesday March 3 – this affects some library locations.

The Presidential Primary Election is Tuesday, March 3! The following library locations will be affected:

To learn more about the election, and to find your polling location, please click here for the City of Springfield Elections Website.

Book List – YALSA 2020 Great Graphic Novels for Teens

The official titles of YALSA’s 2020 Great Graphic Novels for Teens list have been announced. | Teens

YALSA Top Graphic Novels 2019

The official titles of YALSA’s 2020 Great Graphic Novels for Teens list have been announced.

The list consists of 103 titles selected from 178 official nominations – view the full list here.

The YALSA blogging team chose the following titles as its top ten – click the title to put on hold and pick up at a library near you!

TOP  TEN

Bloom. By Kevin Panetta. Art by Savanna Ganucheau. A recent high school graduate, Ari, works in his family-owned bakery and plays in an indie band with 4 of his best friends in a small coastal town. When an accident occurs at the bakery, Ari has to rethink what he wants to do with his life and what will bring him happiness.

Cosmoknights: Book One. By Hanna Templer. Art by the author. Pan lives a very ordinary world on a planet called Verdian. She spends most of her time working in her father’s shop and hanging out with her friend, Tara, who is a princess. But when Tara’s life takes a very different turn, Pan gets a chance to bring down an archaic medieval-type jousting tradition.

I Was Their American Dream: a Graphic Memoir. By Malaka Gharib. Art by the author. Malaka tells her story of being Filipino, Egyptian and American growing up in Cerritos, California. She details her life of being the “perfect Filipino kid” during the year with her mom while also trying to navigate the customs of her father’s home in Egypt during the summer.

Kiss Number 8. By Colleen AF Venable. Art by Ellen T. Crenshaw. The first seven kisses 16-year-old Amanda has experienced were less than exceptional. But after finding out that her father, her ultimate best friend, is keeping a secret from her, and realizing she may have a crush on Cat, her best friend from her conservative Catholic school, everything in Amanda’s life starts to shift. Which leads to her 8th kiss—the one that changes everything.

Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me. By Mariko Tamaki. Art by Rosemary Valero-O’Connell. Laura Dean has broken up with Freddy three times. Laura Dean keeps coming back and Freddy keeps taking her back despite Laura Dean’s blatant cheating. After visiting a medium, Freddy finds herself questioning whether or not Laura Dean can be monogamous and how she can get on with her life without Laura Dean.

The Life of Frederick Douglass: A Graphic Narrative of a Slave’s Journey from Bondage to Freedom. By David F. Walker. Art by Damon Smyth, Marissa Louise. The story of Frederick Douglass from his birth into slavery to his celebration by dignitaries is brought to readers in this spectacular graphic novel.

Pumpkinheads. By Rainbow Rowell. Art by Faith Erin Hicks. On their final night of work at DeKnock’s Pumpkin Patch, high school seniors and “Patch” friends Josiah and Deja decide to make their final shift an adventurous one as they explore the park’s many sights and tasty treats in search of the Fudge Girl, Josiah’s long-time, unrequited crush.

Simon & Louise. By Max de Radiguès. Art by the author. The school year is over and it’s time for Louise to leave on her family vacation for two months, leaving boyfriend Simon on his own. Within a day, Louise has changed her Facebook status to “single” and Simon has no idea why. Louise tells him her Dad forbids the relationship, but Simon refuses to accept that and leaves home to hitchhike to the beach town to win Louise back.

They Called Us Enemy. By George Takei and Justin Eisinger. Art by Harmony Becker. Before he was Sulu on the starship Enterprise, boldly going where no one has gone before, actor George Takei was a little boy struggling to understand why his family was packing up and going to live in a horse stable. Readers see history in a clear, concise, compelling context and follow Takei on his journey from childhood ignorance to righteous teenage anger and finally to a life of dedicated activism.

Witch Hat Atelier. By Kamome Shirahama. Art by the author. Coco dreams of being a magician. In her world, the only way to learn magic is to already be a witch and Coco is not. One day a band of traveling witches comes to town, and Coco meets the enigmatic Qifrey. Her world is turned upside down when she accidentally performs a spell that traps her mother in stone. To rescue her, she must leave with Qifrey and become his magical apprentice in a land far from home.

Springfield opens East Forest Park Branch Library (Masslive.com)

Hundreds of guests gathered Thursday morning as the East Forest Park Branch Library officially opened at its new home.

SPRINGFIELD — Hundreds of guests gathered Thursday morning as the East Forest Park Branch Library officially opened at its new home at 136 Surrey Road after 14 months of construction.

There is a large family and children’s room, a dedicated teen area and a makerspace. A sidewalk connects to the Mary Dryden School. The library will also interact with other nearby schools, including Pope Francis Preparatory School.

“For well over 40 years, they’ve talked about a standalone East Forest Library — I’m so glad that my administration has been able to deliver on this neighborhood enhancement project,” Mayor Domenic Sarno said in a statement. “Especially after the devastating EF-3 tornado (in 2011), this is a true testament of the resiliency of our East Forest Park residents.”

Previously the branch library occupied rented space in a commercial strip on Island Pond Road.

Click to read more and see all the great photos!

 

Springfield students, donors get sneak peek inside East Forest Park library branch (Masslive.com)

Mayor Domenic Sarno hosted a soft opening and tour of the almost-completed East Forest Park Branch Library on Surrey Road Tuesday morning.

SPRINGFIELD — There is a large family and children’s room, a dedicated teen area and lots more at the new East Forest Park library branch on Surrey Road.

Maybe the best new feature was added Tuesday as students from the nearby Mary A. Dryden Veterans Memorial School filled the children’s room for the library’s first-ever story time with Mayor Domenic Sarno.

This was a “soft opening” to show donors where their money was spent on the $9.5 million project. The official opening will occur later this year, according to Springfield City Library Director Molly Fogerty.

“We are getting shipments of furniture arriving and we are so excited to be looking forward to a grand opening in early to mid December,” she said.

Mentioning the adjacent Dryden school, nearby Pope Francis Academy and the Forest Park Civic Association, Sarno said the library will become the hub of the community.

Click through to see the amazing photos!

From Hoang ‘Leon’ Nguyen / The Republican