Category: Central

Paint Like a Pro – Online

Learn to paint in a fun class held online.

ONLINE VIA ZOOM

Saturday December 5 | 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM | Adults 18+

Make a stunning replica of Georgia O’Keeffe’s painting Miracle Flowers. Local artist and arts educator Greg Maichaick guides you through easy steps to recreate the masterwork.

Perfect for the beginner or the semi-skilled, this fun and hands-on pastel painting class is a perennial favorite.

Space and supplies (provided for pickup ahead of time) are limited, so sign up early to assure yourself a seat. Please register below to receive the Zoom link for the classes.

If the class is full but you’re still interested, please sign up for the wait list, so if we offer an additional class we can let you know!

Register Here

 

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

Paint Like a Pro receives funding from the Springfield Cultural Council, a local agency which receives funding from the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

Ukulele Strum-Along – Online

Play along with other ukulele enthusiasts in a fun and relaxed atmosphere.

ONLINE VIA ZOOM

First Monday of every month | 7-8 PM | Ages 16+
December 7
January 4
February 1
March 1
April 5
May 3

Come and strum with other ukulele enthusiasts in a fun and relaxed atmosphere guided by the Valley’s Ambassador of the Ukulele, Julie Stepanek.

Use your own ukelele, or borrow one from the Central Library (a limited number are available to borrow on a first-come first-serve basis).

Click here to join the Strum-Along! (Zoom link coming soon.)

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

This event is supported by the Rose Smith Music Fund.

Ukulele Classes for Teens – Online

Learn the basics of ukulele in this fun, stress-free class. | Teens

ONLINE VIA ZOOM

Instructor Julie Stepanek will teach the basics of ukulele in this fun, stress-free class. Guaranteed to have you strumming in no time!

Students are expected to attend all three classes.

Don’t have a ukulele? Call the library to borrow a ukulele and pick it up curbside.

Limited to 15 participants. For ages 12-17. Please register below to receive the Zoom link for the classes.

Monday December 7 | 4 – 5 PM

Wednesday December 9 | 4 – 5 PM

Saturday December 12 | 10 – 11 AM

Register for All 3  Classes

 

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

This class is supported by the Rose Smith Music Fund.

123 Andrés Bilingual Concerts for Families

Enjoy catchy tunes in both Spanish and English, at these interactive shows online!

Latin Grammy-winning music duo 123 Andrés are bringing their bilingual tunes and irresistible Latin beats right to your home and will get you up, moving and laughing. Get ready to enjoy catchy tunes, in both Spanish and English, and an interactive show!

These events will take place on our Library’s Facebook page – no registration required!

El dúo musical 123 Andrés, ganador de un Grammy Latino, traerá sus melodías bilingües y sus irresistibles ritmos latinos directamente a su casa y le hará levantarse, moverse y reírse. ¡Prepárese para disfrutar de melodías pegadizas, tanto en español como en inglés, y de un programa interactivo!

Estos eventos se llevarán a cabo en la página de Facebook de nuestra biblioteca — ¡sin necesidad de registrarse!

Tues, Nov 10 at 10am ET
Thurs, Nov 19 at 2pm ET
Tues, Dec 1 at 2pm ET
Thurs, Dec 17 at 10am ET

123 Andrés is brought to you by the Rose Smith Music Fund.

123 Andrés, the husband-wife team of Andrés and Christina, has performed for audiences across the US and in Puerto Rico, Panama, Mexico and Colombia.

Andrés grew up in Bogotá, Colombia, and learned how to play the guitar from his father as a child. He studied clarinet at the Conservatory and had his first studio experience at age eight. He went on to earn a Doctorate in music and win first prize in the National Composition Contest in Colombia for one of his early songs.

Christina was raised in the US, in a Spanish-speaking family hailing from Colombia, and studied theater and dance as a child. After serving as a classroom teacher in public schools and earning a Masters in Education from Penn, she found her mission teaching through music.

Knot Just Knitters

Grab some needles and yarn, then come join us! Newcomers always welcome. | Adults

NOTE: While the Library buildings are closed, please join our Facebook group for Knot Just Knitters! Click and answer a few quick questions to be approved. We hope to see you in the group soon!

We also have live knitting events, see below!

NEW: Knot Just Knitters – Live At Lunchtime!

Do you secretly wait for lunch to pick up your yarn and knit or crochet a few rows? Then KJK Live at Lunchtime is just what you ordered! Relax and stitch while you catch up with old friends, and make new ones. Are you a beginner, or need help with a pesky pattern? Seasoned needle artists are here to help and to give advice about tools, yarns and techniques. No registration required, just click on the link to join! To join us live online, click here for the Zoom link!

Wednesdays: Nov 4, Nov 18, Dec 2, Dec 9, Dec 16.

Whether you knit, crochet, cross-stitch or crewel, this is the place for you. New members are welcome and current members are willing to teach their skills. Some yarn and needles are provided, but donations of such items will always be welcome. Many of the finished items are donated to charitable causes. Coffee and tea will be provided compliments of the Friends of the Library.

Indian Orchard
Every Monday, from 1-3 PM
For more information, call Tricia at 413-263-6840

Sixteen Acres
Every Wednesday, from 1-3 PM
For more information, call the Branch at 413-263-6858

Central Library – Community Room
Every Thursday, from 12-2 PM
For more information, call Matthew at 413-263-6828, x221

East Springfield
Every Friday, from 10 AM – 12 PM
For more information, call Tricia at 413-263-6840

Mason Square
Every Friday, from 1-2:30 PM
For more information, call the Branch at 413-263-6853

East Forest Park
Every Friday, from 1-2:30 PM
For more information, call the Branch at 413-263-6836

Forest Park
Every Saturday, from 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
For more information, call the Branch at 413-263-6843

Free Computer Classes For Adults

Hands-on workshops including: Using the Internet, File Management, and Online Resources. | Adults

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

Success with computers – january 2020

Computers are changing and so are our uses of them. Take this 3-part, introductory series to strengthen your computer skills and gain confidence with using the Internet, organizing your files, editing documents, and more.

Sign-up for all three and get the most out of what this program has to offer. Free coffee and tea compliments of the Friends of the Library.

Library Express at Pine Point
Thursdays 12 noon- 1:30 pm

January 16 – Part 1 – reviews standard Windows features, introduces the web, and editing documents

January 23 – Part 2 – continues with the web, introduces file management, and more

January 30 – Part 3 – continutes with file management, explores search engines, and introduces the Invisible Web

To Register: Use the sign-up links above, or register at any Springfield City Library branch. To speak speak with a reference librarian,  call 413-263-6828 ext. 213, or e-mail askalibrarian@springfieldlibrary.org

Attendance Raffle: Earn a chance to win a $15 gift card for a local retailer for each Hi!Tech workshop you attend. The more Hi!Tech workshops you attend, the greater your chances are to win. Join us, learn, and win!

Questions: If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments about Hi!Tech, please contact Matthew at 413-263-6828 ext. 221 or email him at mjaquith@springfieldlibrary.org

More Computer Resources

Computer Tools & Tutorials – Free resources to help you learn and expand your technology skills.

Write-up Springfield!

Calling all creative writers! Join a group to workshop your writing. | Adults

NOTE: While the Library buildings are closed and in-person programming is suspended, please join Write-Up Springfield meetings online! To register or join the email list for this group, contact Matthew Jaquith at mjaquith@springfieldlibrary.org.

Saturday Central Library, Community Room
Second Saturday every month
1:00 – 3:00 PM | Adults

Creative writers of all types are invited to join Write-Up Springfield at their monthly meeting of networking, writing exercise, and creative sharing. Here, writers share their creative work for feedback and constructive comments from others in the group in this interactive, adult-only workshop.

Newcomers welcomed, though please preregister at 413-263-6828, x221 or mjaquith@springfieldlibrary.org so we can properly plan.

Funding comes from the Friends of the Library and the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

During the pandemic, members of Write-Up Springfield have shared poetry and other small pieces of writing on Facebook and Instagram! See their most recent work below.

Afterthoughts Book Discussion Groups

A traditional book discussion group where everyone reads and discusses the same book. | Adults

NOTE: While the Library buildings are closed and in-person programming is suspended, please join our Afterthoughts book group meetings online!

Explore great books, join in on a lively discussion, and meet others who enjoy reading too. New members are always welcome!

Afterthoughts Book Discussion Group at the Central Library
Online via Zoom
Second Tuesday of each month, from 12 – 1 PM

The group meets at noon on the second Tuesday of every month. Library copies of the book are available for curbside pickup.

Click on this link for the 2020 Reading List.

For further information or to receive an invitation to the monthly online Zoom meeting, please contact Lisa Lipshires at llipshires@springfieldlibrary.org.

Afterthoughts Book Discussion Group at the Raymond Jordan Senior Center
Fourth Thursday of each month, from 10 – 11 AM | Ages 55 and up

Library copies are available at the East Forest Park Branch Library in a variety of formats (large print, audiobook, etc.). For more information, contact Linda at 413-263-6836 or by email at lgrodofsky@springfieldlibrary.org.

What’s Cooking Cookbook Club at Central Library

Do you enjoy cooking, or would you like to improve your cooking skills?  | Adults

NOTE: While the Library buildings are closed and in-person programming is suspended, please join our What’s Cooking cookbook group meetings online! To register or join the email list for this group, contact Gary Pysznik at gpysznik@springfieldlibrary.org.

Central Library, Community Room
 Third Tuesday of the month | 10 – 11:30 AM | Adults

Join the monthly Cookbook Club to hear about the latest cookbooks, share great recipes, and more in this casual yet informative discussion group. Members may bring-in prepared dishes to share so the group can sample great tastes and be inspired by something new.

Coffee provided compliments of the Friends of the Library.  For more information, contact Gary Pysznik at 413-263-6828 ext. 395 or by email at gpysznik@springfieldlibrary.org.

Checkmate! – Central Library

Improve your chess skills! Adults

Central Library
By Appointment | Adults

Learn to play chess, or if you want a refresher, schedule a session with a librarian. These lessons are perfect for beginners; more advanced players may want to check out the Chess Club at the Sixteen Acres Branch Library.

To schedule a beginner’s coaching session, contact Gary Pysznik at gpysznik@springfieldlibrary.org, or 413-263-6828 ext. 213.