Queer Book Club

A monthly club for reading queer books of various genres | Adults


Monsoon Roastery and Espresso Bar
Saturdays, once a month | 12:30-1:30 PM | Adults

Discover Queer Book Club! A monthly club for reading queer books of various genres. Read one (or all!) of the 4 book options and meet us at Monsoon’s cafe for coffee or lunch to discuss.

Next month’s selections

Read a poetry collection by one of these poets. Bring a favorite poem to share with the group!

  • Franny Choi
  • Tommy Pico
  • Trista Mateer
  • Danez Smith

Monthly Themes

Themes for 2025
  • January 11: A Variety of Cozy
  • February 8: Literary/Contemporary-Coming of Age
  • March 8: Travel
  • April 19: Poetry
  • May 17: Westerns
Themes from 2024
  • June 15: Contemporary Romance
  • July 13: Historical fiction, 1900-1950
  • August 8: Detective Mysteries
  • September 21: Science Fiction – Space Operas
  • October 19: Horror – Haunted House
  • November 16: Memoir
  • December 14: Fantasy- Dragons

All book choices, past and future

Questions?

Get in touch with Blaise Kyrios at bkyrios@springfieldlibrary.org

Springfield Local Author Book Fair

Come to the Local Author Fair to meet recently published authors and enjoy their works in this showcase of local talent and achievement.

The next Local Author Book Fair will be held on Saturday, September 28, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Rotunda and Rice Hall on the second floor at the Central Library.

Meet Your Neighbors, Meet Their Books!

Join us for a celebration of Springfield’s vibrant literary scene at the Local Author Book Fair! This exciting event brings together a diverse range of local authors, all eager to connect with readers and share their passion for storytelling.

Why Attend?

Support Local Authors: Discover the wealth of talent right in your own community. Buy a book directly from the author and help them continue their creative journey.

Find Your Next Great Read: Explore a variety of genres, from captivating fiction to informative non-fiction. There’s something for everyone, whether you’re a mystery buff, a history enthusiast, or a lover of poetry.

Connect with Fellow Bookworms: Chat with authors about their work, get your books personalized with a signature, and mingle with other book lovers who share your passion for reading.

Mark Your Calendars!

The next Local Author Book Fair will be held on Saturday, September 28, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Rotunda and Rice Hall on the second floor at the Central Library.

Admission is free, so come meet your neighbors and discover the hidden gems of Springfield’s literary world!

List of Authors – September 2024

AuthorBookInstagram IconFaceBook iconlink icon
Katherine AndersonMurder at the Alma MaterInstagram IconFaceBook iconlink icon
RA CookGood To Be Me – Discovering What Makes Me Special & UniqueInstagram IconFaceBook iconlink icon
Michael DeStefanoThe Old CorsairInstagram Iconlink icon
Donalyn GrossWhat Does Death Look Like?
K. HicksonStars & StripesInstagram Icon
Mary Anne HorsmanSet the Stage for Success: De-clutter, Get Organized and Love Your LifeInstagram IconFaceBook iconlink icon
Travis KuffelUnleashedInstagram IconFaceBook iconlink icon
LaTonia Monroe NaylorMission-Rich AND Profit-Powered: A Guide to Transforming Your Passion into a Fully-Funded BusinessInstagram IconFaceBook iconlink icon
Anne PinkertonWere You Close? a sister’s quest to know the brother she lostInstagram IconFaceBook iconlink icon
Meg ThacherSky Gazing: a Guide to the Moon, Sun, Planets, Stars, Eclipses, ConstellationsInstagram IconFaceBook iconlink icon
Lisa ZarconeThe Book of JoannInstagram IconFaceBook icon

List of Authors – April 2024

Below is a list of authors who attended the Local Author Fair – your neighbors, sharing their art! Also, titles of their most recent book – although several will have multiple books to share.

Stephen Billias – A Book of Fields
Bela Breslau and Stephen Billias – Pilgrim Maya
Justin Cascio – In Our Blood: The Mafia Families of Corleone
Tian Connaughton – Cardigans For Every Body: because every body is worthy
D. Dina Friedman – Immigrants
Adrián Gras-Velázquez – Lo que hago en mi habitación
Robert Loesch – Out on a Limb and Other Stories
Stephanie Marrero-Wilson – Healing in Him: 31 Day Journaling Devotional
Jane F. Morrissey, SSJ – Finding Jane in the Box – a Memoir
Jennifer Allis Provost – Oleander
Ruth Sanderson – A Storm of Horses: The Story of Artist Rosa Bonheur
Dulce Santana – Flowers in the City
H. Triplett – Perforated Fiber Forbidden Memories
Dennis Walter – The Misguided Mentor

Are You A Local Author?

Get on our list to be invited next time! We hold Author Fairs about twice a year, in the Spring and the Fall.

Silent Book Club

Wish you had more time to read? Looking for some book lovers to hang out with? Join us for Silent Book Club! | Central Library | Adults and Teens 16+

Central Library
Second Monday of the Month
6:00 – 7:30 pm | Adults and Teens 16+

Wish you had more time to read? Looking for some book lovers to hang out with? Join us for Silent Book Club! One night a month, we get cozy at the library for an hour of solo reading and time at the end to chat. Come to meet new people and leave with new book recommendations! For Adults and Teens 16+.

Registration optional, but if you register, you’ll get reminders.

Register on our online calendar.

Seed Library at Mason Square

Free seed library with organic non-GMO seeds for the Springfield community. Request some today from our Mason Square Branch!

The Mason Square Branch Seed Library features a great variety of FREE 100% organic, non-GMO seeds for vegetables, greens, herbs, and flowers, made possible through a grant from Vermont-based seed company, High Mowing Organic Seeds. With multiple varieties, there’s something for everyone!

Because there is a limited supply of seeds, we ask that patrons request no more than 5 seed envelopes per library visit. Please visit the Mason Square Branch Library to choose your seeds!

We also have a variety of gardening books, covering urban gardening, vegetable gardens, container gardens, flower gardens, and more – ask library staff to help you find the perfect book!

2025 Seeds Available

CategoryName of Plant
Beans & Peas Antigua Bush Bean
Celine Bush Bean
Provider Bush Bean
Cascadia Snap Pea
Broccoli, Cauliflower & Sprouts Belstar Broccoli
Root VegetablesRed Ace Beet
Touchstone Gold Beet
Dolciva Carrot
Naval Carrot
Negovia Carrot
Yellowstone Carrot
Starburst Carrot Blend
Valentine’s Day Blend Radish
Watermelon Radish
Flowers Pacific Beauty Calendula
Resina Calendula (
Sensation Blend Cosmos
Deep Red Scabiosa
Evening Colors Sunflower
HerbsGenovese Basil
Rutgers Obsession DMR Basil
Santo Cilantro
reensleeves Dill
Sweet Marjoram
Green Oregano
Lettuces, Greens & Celery Astro Arugula
Esmee Arugula
Fordhook Giant Chard
Rainbow Blend Chard
Tat Soi Asian Green
Lacinato Dinosaur Kale
Ironman Kale Mix
Freckles Lettuce
Gourmet Blend Lettuce
Green Star Lettuce
Lolla Rossa Lettuce
Mild Mustard Blend
Blend Mesclun
Kaleidoscope Salad Mix
Yukina Savoy
Renegade Spinach
Cucumbers, Melons & Squash Green Finger Cucumber
Mini-Me Cucumber
National Pickling Cucumber
Howden Pumpkin
Brulee Butternut Winter Squash
Burgess Buttercup Winter Squash
Blacktail Mountain Watermelon
Dark Green Zucchini
TomatoesBrandywine Tomato
Green Ze bra Tomato
Matt’s Wild Cherry Tomato
Moskvich Tomato
Peacevine Cherry Tomato
Pruden’s Purple Tomato
Peppers Early Jalapeno Hot Pepper
HMS Red Picnic Pepper
Shishito Pepper (mild)

Genealogy Help

Get help with family history, for beginners and experts alike. | Central Library

By Appointment

Central Library |Online via Zoom or In-Person

Get help with genealogy questions! We can show you how to access the library’s and other genealogy resources, get started with your family history, or tackle a stumbling block on your existing project.

Call to make a phone appointment  – 413-263-6828 x395, ask for Gary, or email gpysznik@springfieldlibrary.org.

Participants will need access to the internet with a computer, tablet, or smartphone to participate on Zoom.

Free Computer Classes for Beginners

Hands-on workshops to build basic computer skills | Central Library | Adults

Computer Classes for Beginners

Do computers intimidate you? The library’s computer classes are great for beginners. We teach hands-on, relaxed courses that will help you get comfortable with computers, even if you’ve never used one before.

By the end of one of our courses, you will be ready to explore on your own. Registration is required to participate, but you do not have to attend all of the classes – feel free to try the first before thinking about the rest.

If you have any questions, you can call your local library to talk to a reference librarian. We can help you register for one of our classes or figure out where to start!


Free Computer Resources

Free Citizenship Classes

The Read/Write/Now Center is accepting reservations for free citizenship classes.

Library Express at Pine Point

A new round of Free Citizenship Classes will be starting soon. The Read/Write/Now Center will provide the study materials and instructional support. Please call for more information at 413-263-6839.

These classes are brought to you with federal funds provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.

Kitchen Odyssey

A cooking class meets book club series for those who love to cook at home. Cook together – hands-on and in-person! | East Forest Park | Adults

East Forest Park Branch
Last Wednesday of the Month
6:00 – 7:00 pm | Adults

Level up your cooking by attending monthly cooking demonstrations with like minded people. Led by library staff, this program is open to adults of all cooking skill levels and will often feature recipes from cookbooks in our collection. Bring your friends and let’s get cooking!

Registration for this event is required. Register on our online calendar.