Rotunda Rhythms Presents the Spanish Guitar of Tony Silva – September 22

Enjoy guitarist Tony Silva performing the beautiful music of Spain. | All ages

Central Library, Rotunda
Sunday September 22 | 2:00 – 3:00 PM | All Ages

Tony SilvaBack by popular demand is award winning composer and guitarist Tony Silva performing the music of Spain. From colorful tarantellas to passionate flamenco, Mr. Silva covers it all in a diverse, educational, and thrilling program of great Spanish guitar music. Free attendance raffle available to all who stay for the concert.

Funding provided by the Friends of the Library and the Massachusetts Cultural Council. All ages.

Artworks in the Library: Glassworks by Marilyn Sutin

A display of fused glass by Springfield artisan Marilyn Sutin. | All Ages

Central Library
August 1 – 31, 2019 | During Open Hours | All Ages

On display throughout August is Funky Fusion, a collection of fused glass jewelry, decorative plates, and more. Created by Springfield artisan Marilyn Sutin, Funky Fusion catches the eye with a vibrant, sometimes fantastical look.

For more information about the artist and her collection, visit her website at www.funky-fusion.com. Level 1 near the Lower Circulation Desk. All ages.

The Softer Side of Celtic – August 17

Musician Jeff Snow combines magical sounds from instruments with vocals and his love and knowledge of Celtic history. | All Ages

Sixteen Acres Branch
Saturday August 17, 2019 | 1:00 – 2:30 PM | All Ages

Hear the soothing sounds of the Celtic harp in this enchanting music concert of song. Made complete with Celtic stories and history, this is a perfect program for music lovers and Celtic enthusiasts alike.

Meet the artist after the concert in a free reception compliments of the Friends of the Library. All ages.

Jeff Snow brings the rich tradition of  classic Celtic music to life.  His  vibrant arrangements of  the classics blend perfectly with his original Celtic compositions.
– Joseph Carvalho III, Retired President, Springfield Museums

Art Central Shows Ice Cream

See the display of colorful photos of ice cream signs and advertisements | All Ages

Central Library
July 1 – August 29, 2019 | During Open Hours | All Ages

Art Central Ice Cream Sign PhotoDiane Savioli-Chase captures whimsical depiction of ice cream in this colorful display of ice cream signs and advertisements. With photographs from around the world, the viewer sees advertising at its creative best with delightful installments that double as public art.

Come-in, cool off, and enjoy the eye candy! All ages.

Springfield Preservation Trust’s Award Winners

Springfield Preservation Trust’s Award Winners – photos of historic properties and architecture on display | All Ages

Sixteen Acres
July 1 – July 31, 2019 | During Open Hours | All Ages

One of Springfield’s many assets is its wonderful housing stock and historic properties. See photographs of its beautiful homes and impressive architecture meticulously restored by scores of its residents and property owners. From Queen Ann Victorians to colonial revivals and many other styles, there is great variety and beauty. On display are the 2018 and 2019 Springfield Preservation Trust award winners, a local advocacy group for historic preservation. www.springfieldpreservation.org All ages.

Art Central: Portraits by Kathleen Morris

Portraits by Springfield-area artist Kathleen Morris | All Ages

Central Library
May 1 – June 27, 2019 | During Open Hours | All Ages

Kathleen Morris portrait artworkKathleen Morris, a Springfield based painter and sculptor, displays her new art show for the months of May and June. Her painted portraits from the Arts and Naps collection are unique, bold, and deeply personal making for an interesting an intimate display. Meet the artist on Monday, May 6th for the free opening reception. Funding provided by the Friends of the Library. All ages.

Springfield to Boston Train Service, Are We on Track?

Rail service is on the rise in Western Mass. Hear from key leaders about train service from Springfield to Boston. | April 22

Sixteen Acres Branch

Monday, April 22| 6:15 PM- 7:45 PM|

Rail service is on the rise in Western Massachusetts. Hear what key leaders have to say about the latest developments.

  • Tim Brennan, Executive Director of the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission,  speaking about more passenger rail from Springfield and some recent, climate-friendly developments in public transportation.
  • Mayor Domenic Sarno will talk about his appointment to the Mass. DOT’s panel studying expanded train service from Springfield to Boston which could be a boon for commuters, job hunters, and the economy.
  • Reggie Wilson, Sixteen Acres Branch Library Manager, will present on environmentally friendly trains that could be used between Springfield to Boston.

Art Central: Breathing In, Monotypes by Doris Madsen

Meet the artist on Sunday, March 3rd for the free opening reception. | 18+

Central Library
March 2 – April 25. 2019 | During Open Hours | All Ages

Doris Madsen, a retired Springfield City Librarian, displays her new art show, Breathing In, for the months of March and April. Her one-of-a-kind contemporary prints include shapes and subjects in various arrangements and from a variety of vantage points to to create a unique blend of color and ideas.

This program is supported in part by a grant from the Springfield Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

Introduction to Microsoft Word & Excel

Free Microsoft Office computer classes covering both Microsoft Word and Excel | Central | Adults

These classes are not currently being offered. Check out our list of free online tutorials!
These classes are for adults. Skill with a keyboard and mouse is needed for success in these workshops.

Need a tutorial on using a keyboard and mouse? Getting Started on a Computer


Microsoft Word & Excel Class Series

Getting Started with Microsoft Word

Having good word processing skills is fundamental to achieving success at the computer. Come to this hands-on workshop for an introduction to the most popular word processing program, Microsoft Word, and sharpen your skills with common functions like selecting text and capitalization, spellcheck, saving, and printing.

Fabulous Formatting in Word

In this workshop, we will review of the basics from the “Getting Started Microsoft Word” session, and take a deep dive into the formatting options on the “home” tab in Word – including font, paragraph, and styles.

Budgeting with Excel

Learn the basics of Microsoft Excel, the world’s leading desktop spreadsheet. Excel is used both at home and in the office to help with a wide range of personal and business management services including basic bookkeeping and accounting, to maintaining mailing lists, and more. In this session, we will learn the basics and take you through a guided activity to build Bruce Wayne’s annual budget.

UNITE Teens is Coming to Springfield!

Are you bored after school? Do you feel unwelcome in Springfield? Have no idea what you want to do with your future?

Calling all teens in the Brightwood neighborhoods! Do you like free food and stuff to do?

Brightwood Branch, 359 Plainfield Street – Springfield MA 01107
Meets every Tuesday and Thursday | 3:00 – 5:00 | Ages 13 – 18

We at Springfield City Libraries asked teens in the community what we could do to address teens feeling bored, aimless, and disconnected from their community. What we came up with is called UNITE Teens!

Starting in November, every Tuesday and Thursday at the Brightwood Library branch, the community room will be closed off from 3:00pm-5:00pm and made into YOUR space–no parents, no younger kids, just teens! Tuesdays will have a fun activity–a craft, a makeable or DIY project, a creative activity, or games–and every Thursday will have speakers from the community who’ll talk to you about paths you can take, how to get there, and projects they want YOUR help on!

Some of these speakers include:

  • Carlos McBride of local radio station WNEPR, who will talk about podcasting
  • Several speakers from ARISE Springfield who’ll tell you about ways you can get active in making your community a better place
  • Make-It Springfield, the local makerspace
  • Local politicians and business leaders who can tell you how to follow in their footsteps
  • College students and professors to share projects they’re working on and tell you how you can make the path to college more attainable
  • Creative professionals to teach you new outlets for self-expression
  • …and more!

And, of course, there will be pizza and snacks every day!

You can just show up, but you should definitely sign up here (it helps us order the right amount of food)!

UNITE Teens…it’s where you can Make Do Be U!

This project is made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, grant # RE-95-17-0068-17, in the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program.