Category: Archive

What is Information Literacy?

According to the American Library Association, “To be information literate, a person must be able to recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information.”

Evaluating Information: What is Fact & what is Fake?

Watch the video below to learn about the resources available to get trustworthy information:

Other websites to help with finding resources and factual information:

• https://scholar.google.com/
• https://src.libguides.com/researchprocess/resources
• https://ualberta-lis.libguides.com/information-literacy-for-high-school-students
• https://lit.libguides.com/information-lit

Did you know that you can get a library card to the Boston Public Library for free if you live in Massachusetts? Get your card today and have access to their library books and databases as well!
https://www.bpl.org/teen-subject/encyclopedias/

Plagiarism: what is that?

If you have questions on how to cite a resource and show where your information came from, you can use the following resources:

• https://owl.purdue.edu/
• https://kids.kiddle.co/Citation
• https://libguides.uah.edu/highschool/plagiarism

How to search & find resources using library databases

Here is a direct link to the Springfield Public Library databases: https://www.springfieldlibrary.org/library/elibrary/

You can also use a Boston Library Card to use their databases listed here: https://www.bpl.org/teen-subject/all-teen-resources/

This guide was created by Heaven Pajala, March 2023

Springfield City Library now has an option for you to sign up for an eCard!

What is an eCard?

An eCard is a CW MARS (Central Western Massachusetts Resource Sharing) library card that you can register for online without the need to visit a library in person. It provides cardholders access to digital materials – such as ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, and databases. Click here to see our digital holdings!

The eCard does not allow you to check out physical materials. It is for digital materials only. eCards may be upgraded to a physical library card with full borrowing privileges by visiting your local library.

Am I eligible for an eCard?

You are eligible to apply for a CW MARS eCard, if you…

• live in a Massachusetts town with a CW MARS member library,
• are age 13 or older,
• and do not currently have a library card from a CW MARS member library.

The eCard is for patrons who do not already have a CW MARS library card, and are not able to visit our library locations in person. If you need to renew an existing card, please call us at 413-263-6828 x218 or any Springfield City Library location. If you’re not sure if you have a CW MARS card already, ask us!

How do I apply for an eCard?

Click your desired language to be taken to the eCard application form:
English | Español | 中文 | Français | Polszczyzna | Русский

Please read through the form and Statement of Responsibility. The following information is required:

• First and Last Name
• Date of Birth
• Email Address (your eCard number will be emailed to the address provided)
• Current Home Address

After filling out the form, you’ll get instant* access to e-content.

*Eligible users will be provided with an eCard number immediately after registration that can be used to access resources on our eLibrary.

Can I check out physical material on my eCard?

No. To check out physical material at your library, you will need to upgrade your eCard to one with full borrowing privileges.

If you would prefer to apply for a library card with full borrowing privileges, you may begin the process online here or call your local Springfield City Library branch.

I’m having trouble using my eCard. What should I do?

If you’re having a problem with your eCard, you can start with the CW MARS eCard Troubleshooting FAQ. You may also call your local Springfield City Library branch for help or email us at askalibrarian@springfieldlibrary.org.

SPRINGFIELD, MASS.- September 29, 2021 –  Applications are now open for women, teen girls, and women-identified people interested in an introduction to writing and performing inviting, exciting, and inspiring poetry. Join this master class with Springfield’s Poet Laureate, Magdalena Gómez. Space is very limited in each of the cohorts with pre-registration required. The application form is available on the Springfield City Library´s website.

The program series, Out/Spoken Words, is for participants at all levels in their poetry writing and performance. Master Classes are usually for professionals in a particular field. This is a Master Class for anyone who truly loves poetry and/or spoken word and wants to share that passion with others. Ms. Gómez added, “Participants will be provided with tools and encouragement to conjure poems and voice for performance of their original writing. All we ask is your willingness to fully participate and to bring a poem that matters to you to your first session, whether you wrote it or not.” The workshops will culminate in a public performance by participants at the Mason Square Branch Library Further information can be found at the Library’s website, or by calling 413-263-6828, ext. 291.

About the presenter:  Magdalena Gómez was born and raised in the Bronx, New York. She studied English and Theater at Lehman College, and Spanish Literature at the University of Sevilla, Spain. She is the author of Shameless Woman (Red Sugarcane Press, 2014) and the co-editor of Bullying: Replies, Rebuttals, Confessions and Catharsis (Skyhorse Publishing, 2012). Her new book of lyrical narrative will be released by Heliotrope Books, NYC, in April 2022.

Mayor Domenic Sarno recently announced he has extended Gómez’ term as Springfield’s Poet Laureate for another year, to encompass 2019 through 2022. Ms. Gómez is the recipient of a $50,000 Poet Laureate Fellowship from the Academy of American Poets in 2021 with funds from The Mellon Foundation. A portion of those funds will support these workshops at the Springfield City Library.  Her website is http://www.latinapoet.com/

Jean Canosa Albano, Assistant Director for Public Services at Springfield City Library, commented. “Poetry has long been exceedingly popular among Springfield residents of all ages. From our bookshelves, to open mic events, to contests and workshops, the Library has responded by offering diverse ways for people to find joy, deal with pain, and explore their voices through poetry. We are thrilled to partner with Magdalena to expand these offerings.”

Information regarding the workshops by Ms. Gómez is available on the Library’s website now: https://www.springfieldlibrary.org/library/poetry-workshops/.

Founded in 1857, the Springfield City Library provides nearly 5000 educational and recreational programs per year. To learn more, visit www.springfieldlibrary.org.

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Springfield City Library has added the ability to apply for a library card online!

This process is for new cards only – if you need to renew an existing card, please call us at 413-263-6828 x218 or any Springfield City Library location. If you’re not sure if you have a CW MARS (Central Western Massachusetts Resource Sharing) card already, ask us!

Before you apply, please read about library card policies here.

After you apply for a library card online, a staff member will call you to complete the library card registration process over the phone. Once completed, the staff member will make an appointment with you to come to the library, verify your information, and pick up your card.

To apply, please click the library card registration link for the branch nearest you (a list of our locations can be found here). Library cards can be used throughout the entire CW MARS network, you are not limited to the branch you receive it from. If you have any questions, feel free to call any Springfield City Library location, or e-mail us at: askalibrarian@springfieldlibrary.org.

• Central Library
• Brightwood Branch
• East Forest Park Branch
• East Springfield Branch
• Forest Park Branch
• Indian Orchard Branch
• Library Express at Pine Point
• Mason Square
• Sixteen Acres