Central – Springfield City Library

Discover Your Summer Events & Activities

Join us for Discover Your Summer: Summer Reading decorating events, kickoff parties, crafts, and more! | All Ages

SUMMER READING CLUB CHALLENGE

June 21 – August 27 | All Ages

This summer, join our Discover Your Summer Reading Club to read and get rewards, enter raffles for prizes, and more! Click the button below to learn more.

Learn About Summer Reading Club!

Summer Reading kickoff concert & Party!

Thursday, June 2 | 3:30-7:00 PM | All Ages

Join us at Forest Park Library as we kick off Summer Reading! Celebrate summer with games, prizes, activities, and a live concert by regionally renowned salsa group, Orquesta Sensacional! Let’s Party!

At the following library locations: Forest Park Branch

Create summer reading program decorations!

Wednesdays, June 8 & June 15 | 5:00-6:00 PM | Ages 3+

Help the Children’s Room create decorations for the Summer Reading Program! We’ll be making sea-themed decorations this year, and we want to make as big a splash as possible!

At the following library locations: Central Library

Decoration Day!

Wednesdays, June 8 & June 15 | Open Hours | Children & Families

Join the fun as we decorate the library for Summer Reading Club. Help us create an ocean-full of sea-inspired crafts just right for this year’s Summer Reading Club.

At the following library locations on June 8: East Springfield, Mason Square
At the following library locations on June 15: Sixteen Acres

Discover Your Summer: Drop-In Crafts!

June 14 & 28, July 12 & 26, August 9, 16, & 30 | Open Hours | Teens

Stop into the Central Branch Library every other Tuesday between June 14 to Aug 30, to see what creative project is waiting for you.

At the following library locations: Central Library

Discover Your Summer: Crafts & Scavenger Hunts!

All Summer Long | Open Hours | All Ages

Check with your local library branch to see what activities, crafts, and scavenger hunts they have going on that week! Available while supplies last.

At All Library Locations

Summer reading Challenge accepted!

3rd Wednesday of the Month: June 15, July 20, August 17
3:00-4:30 PM | All Ages

The Summer Reading Challenge is on! Join us for a monthly meet-up to enjoy some snacks and chat about the books that we’re reading – and what we’re excited to read next!

At the following library locations: East Forest Park Branch

Summer Reading Kickoff with Sparky the fire dog!

Wednesday, June 15 | 3:00-4:30 PM | All Ages

Come join Sparky and the firefighters from the East Forest Park station to celebrate summer reading – with a special guest appearance by Bruins mascot, Blades!! Enjoy some ice cream, check out the cool fire truck – and while you’re at it- sign up for this year’s Discover Your Summer Reading program!

At the following library locations: East Forest Park Branch

Central Library Summer Reading Kickoff!

Saturday, June 18 | 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM | All Ages

Join us to kick-off summer fun! Music by DJ, activities and games, as well as face painting by the Happy Face Painter. While you’re here, DISCOVER our annual summer reading program. Ed Popielarczyk will stop by with walk-about magic too! Fun for all ages. On the Springfield Museum quad. No rain date.

At the following library locations: Central Library

Summer Reading Kickoff!

Wednesday, June 22 | 1:00-3:00 PM | All Ages

Join us on the lawn for games, raffles and crafts to celebrate the beginning of summer vacation- and summer reading! Discover your summer at the Springfield City Library.

At the following library locations: Indian Orchard Branch

How Many? How much? How heavy?

June 20 – August 27th | Open Hours | All Ages

Using your best guesses, guess how many, or how much, or how heavy are the items in our Guessing Jar. Twice a month there will be a new jar. Closest guess wins a small prize.

At the following library locations: Indian Orchard Branch

summer reading celebration!

Thursday, July 7th | 1-2 PM at Brightwood | 3-5 PM at East Springfield
Children & Families

Celebrate Summer Reading! Performer Tom Sieling will keep your toes tapping with an “ocean-full” of songs guaranteed to entertain the whole family. Come join the fun! Refreshments provided.

At the following library locations: Brightwood Branch & East Springfield Brach

Summer Feeding = Summer Reading

Monday through Friday: June 27 – August 26th | All Ages Up to 18

Visit the library locations listed below for special activities, like gardening programs, food trucks visits, as well as delicious nutritious lunches for kids up to age 18!

For more information go to: www.homegrownspringfield.org

Flash Fiction Contest – May 2-31

Can you tell a full story in 500 words or less? You have 30 days to figure it out! | Central Library | Teens

Central Library
May 2 – May 31 | Open Hours | Teens

Can you tell a full story in 500 words or less? You have 30 days to figure it out! On May 2, the rules and story prompts go live and you have until May 31 to turn in your work to compete for prizes!

June Crafts for Children, Teens, & Families

Crafts and activities at the library in June! | Children, Teens, and Families

Father’s Day Cards

Saturday, June 4 – Saturday, June 18 | Open Hours | All Ages

Drop by to make a card for dear ol’ Dad. Supplies and templates will be provided so that you can craft a card that will put a smile on the face of Dad, Pop, Grandpa and Uncle Joe. Show someone how special they are with a personalized card made by you! All supplies provided.

At the following library locations: All Library Locations

bad art night

Wednesday, June 29 | 5:00-6:00 PM | Children & Teens

Head to the children’s room at Central Library to make the weirdest and worst art you’ve ever seen! Geared for ages 5+.

At the following library locations: Central Library

Paint and Sip for Teens – June 7

Enjoy an afternoon of refreshment and create a masterpiece. Beverages & supplies provided! | Central Library | Teens

Central Library
Tuesday, June 7 | 2:00-3:30 PM | Ages 13-19 | Register

Enjoy an afternoon of refreshment and create a masterpiece. We’ll have all the supplies you need to create a painting. We’ll also supply a selection of beverages so you can mix a refreshing juice or soda drink to sip as you paint.

Discover Dungeons & Dragons

Curious about D&D but don’t know how to get started? Meet us for a beginner-friendly adventure every month! No equipment, commitment, or experience necessary. | Central | Adults

Central Library – Rice Hall Mezzanine
Saturdays: June 11, July 9, August 6, September 3, October 1, November 12
9:30-11:30 AM | 18+

Curious about Dungeons & Dragons but don’t know how to get started? Meet us on the mezzanine in Rice Hall for a beginner-friendly adventure every month. No equipment, commitment, or experience is required. If you only stop by a couple times or want to play every month, the real treasure will be the friends we make along the way!

Registration is optional, but encouraged. Register via our online calendar!

The Haunting of Mirror Lake Manor: A D&D Mini-Campaign

Join us for a seven-week Mini-Campaign online! Beginners and seasoned players welcome. | Teens

Have you been itching to play D&D? Join us for a seven week Mini Campaign “The Haunting of Mirror Lake Manor!” Beginners and seasoned players welcome.

This program will be held online only. We will use a combination of Zoom and Roll20. (Computers at library locations will be available for the program if needed.)

The campaign will run every Saturday afternoon between April 16th and June 4th, from 2:00-4:30 PM. Registration is required, as program space is limited to 6 players. The registration link is above. Please be aware that you will be registering for all dates of the campaign.

Please send any questions to DM Sam Hoffman: shoffman@springfieldlibrary.org

Hour of Code

Spend an hour playing games and solving challenges all while learning computer coding! | Central Library | Children

Central Library – Children’s Room
Last Tuesday of the Month | 3:30-4:30 PM | Ages 8-14 – Starts April 26th!

Spend an hour playing games and solving challenges — and learn computer coding at the same time! All skill levels welcome!

Teen Advisory Board

Make an impact on your local library and community by sharing your ideas for activities and materials. | Central Library & Forest Park | Teens

Forest Park Branch
Last Wednesday of each month | 3:30-4:30 PM | Teens
Registration not required

We would love for you to join our Teen Advisory Board! Share what program activities and books/movies/video games you want to see in your library. Talk about your ideas to make the library a better place for you and for others. Come and enjoy refreshments while you meet new friends. The library is all yours, just ask!

What are the Benefits?

Participating on the Teen Advisory Board gives you the chance to:

make an impact on your local library and community
flex and build your leadership skills
list volunteer experience on your resume and college applications
network, make friends, and request references for college, internships, or job applications

Teen Advisory Board Principles

The Springfield City Library Teen Advisory Board is rooted in the principles of respect, humility, and acceptance. We welcome teens of all racial and ethnic groups, religious affiliations, financial backgrounds, sexual orientations, gender identities, and abilities. It’s important that we work together to make a safe, fun space for all, where we celebrate the things that make you who you are!

If you have questions about the Teen Advisory Board, email Sarah Hodge-Wetherbe at SHodge-Wetherbe@springfieldlibrary.org or call (413) 263-6828 ext. 425.

We’re excited to collaborate with you!

Teen Choice Day

Suggest YOUR program idea that you would like to see at the library. Then join us for the fun! | Teens

Join us for YOUR choice in teen programming! We’re inviting all 13-19 year-olds to suggest super fun activities they would like to see at the library. Talk with your local branch librarian or connect with us through polls, suggestion boxes and more.

We’ll announce each library’s selection on the first of the month. Coming to a library branch near you starting in April 2022!

Central Library
2nd Monday of each month, 4-5:30 pm

East Springfield Branch
2nd Wednesday of each month, 4-5:30 pm

Forest Park Branch
4th Tuesday of each month, 3-5 pm

Indian Orchard
3rd Wednesday of each month, 5-6 pm

Sixteen Acres Branch
1st Tuesday of each month, 4:30-6 pm

Simple Crafts for Adults

Join other adults for low-pressure, simple crafts you can complete in an evening. | Central | Adults

Central Library – Mezzanine, in Rice Hall
3rd Wednesday every month (Canceled for May ’22)| 5:30-7:30 PM | Adults 18+

Come join other grown folks for easy crafts and conversation. We’ll provide all the supplies and you can go home with something you made yourself!

No registration, just drop in – but supplies are limited!