Lego Questers

Join other LEGO Questers in building our Quest of the week, or build your own. | Indian Orchard | Children

Indian Orchard Branch
Tuesdays: June – August
Wednesdays: September – December
5:00-7:00 PM | Ages 5+

Legos are back! Join other LEGO Questers in building our Quest of the week, or build your own. Please call with any questions 413-263-6846.

1000 Books Before Kindergarten

Read just one book a day to build a foundation for lifelong success. Prizes awarded for every 100 books! | Children

All Library Locations
Began January 2022, ongoing

All it takes is sharing one book a day with your child to build a foundation for lifelong success. Start your child’s book journey today! The goal is to have read 1,000 books before your precious one starts kindergarten.

If you read just 1 book a day, you will have read about 365 books in a year. That is 730 books in two years and 1,095 books in three years. If you consider that most children start kindergarten at around 5 years of age, you have more time than you think. So, let’s get started!

How to Participate

Read with your child. Studies have shown that reading with your child provides a great opportunity for bonding. Reading together is fun and will create life-long memories for the both of you.

Keep track of the number of books you read with your child. Ask your librarian for a paper log to start on your reading journey.

You may choose instead to log your books online using Beanstack. Visit our Beanstack website or download the app to log your books digitally. You can view Beanstack instructions here or ask a librarian on how to use it.

After each 100 books you read, visit your local Springfield City Library branch to collect your free book prize. After 1000 books, come in and get a tote bag!

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can participate in this program?
– Any child from birth until they enter kindergarten.

How long does the program take?
– The program will take anywhere from a few months to a few years. The program is self-paced and will depend on how often you read together.

Can we repeat books?
– Yes!

How many of my children can participate?
– All of them (provided they have not started kindergarten). Make it even more fun and read as a family!

Switch It Up!

Come Switch It Up at the library and play your choice of Super Smash Bros Ultimate, Mario Kart 8 or Mario Party Superstars! | Indian Orchard | Teens

Switch Gaming on first Fridays

Indian Orchard Branch
1st Friday Each Month | 2:00-4:00 PM | Ages 12-18

The first Friday of the month we will play Mario Cart, Mario Party and Super Smash Bros Ultimate, on our brand new Switch.

Crafternoons

Join us for some de-stressing arts and crafts! | Indian Orchard | Children & Teens

Wednesday Crafternoons

Indian Orchard Branch
Wednesdays June 21 – August 30 | 4:00-6:00 PM | Ages 5+

Join us as we do a different craft every week, on Wednesday afternoons. Tissue paper painting, watercolor painting, finger painting, and floral bookmarks are some of the crafts we will be exploring. If you can’t make it we will have take and make bags, depending on the craft.

Job Corps & AmeriCorps Information Tables

Come learn about career programs that help people obtain high school diplomas, job training, and employment. | Teens & Adults

Job Corps Information Tables

Stop by to learn about Job Corps. Job Corps is a free residential and job training program that helps both young adults as well as adults of any age who have a disability to gain employment.

Central Library – Rotunda
7/3, 8/7, 9/11, 10/2, 11/6, 12/4 | 3:00-6:00 PM | Ages 16+

Forest Park Branch
7/11, 8/1, 9/12, 10/3, 11/14, 12/5 | 12:00-3:00 PM | Ages 16+

Brightwood Branch
6/13, 9/19, 12/12 | TBD | Ages 16+

Mason Square Branch
 6/28, 7/26, 8/30, 9/27, 10/25, 11/29, 12/27 | 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Ages 16+

East Springfield Branch
6/29, 7/27, 8/31, 9/28, 10/26, 11/30, 12/28 | 1:00-4:00 PM | Ages 16+

East Forest Park Branch
6/16, 9/22, 12/22 | 1:00-4:00 PM | Ages 16+

Sixteen Acres Branch
6/17, 7/15, 8/19, 9/16, 10/14, 11/18, 12/16 | 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Ages 16+

Indian Orchard Branch
6/23, 7/24, 8/23, 9/25, 10/23, 11/27, 12/26 | 2:00-5:00 PM | Ages 16+

Romance Book Club – Online

Get your Happily Ever After fix from the Romance Book Club! | Online | Adults

Our Romance Book Club meets online! Registration is optional to get reminders and book choices, click for  link.

ONLINE via Zoom
Saturdays once a month | 10:00-11:00 AM ET | Adults

Upcoming dates:
November 2, December 14, January 11, February 8, March 8

CLICK FOR ZOOM LINK for meeting each month.

Join us for the Romance Book Club! We read as many romance genres as we can, sharing our thoughts and expanding our romance reading experience. As long as it has a Happily Ever After, it’s fair game.

Typically each month we choose the book for the following month.

November Book Choice
We will be reading Full Contact by Sarah Castille.

Full Contact by Sarah Castille

Sia O’Donnell can’t help but push the limits. She secretly attends every underground MMA fight featuring The Predator, the undisputed champion. When he stalks his prey in the ring, Sia is mesmerized. He is dominant and dangerous and every instinct tells her to run.

Every beautiful thing Ray “The Predator” touches he knows he’ll eventually destroy. Soft, sweet and innocent, Sia is the light to Ray’s darkness-and completely irresistible. From the moment he lays eyes on her, he knows he’s going to have to put his dark past behind him to win her body and soul.

See previous group book choices below the group guidelines – scroll down.

Register if you’d like to be added to our email list, but no registration is required – just join us at the Zoom link, above. For adults 18+.

Please email Elizabeth McKinstry at emckinstry@springfieldlibrary.org or Anna Mickelsen at amickelsen@springfieldlibrary.org if you have any questions, or call either one of us at 413-263-6828 x213.


Group Guidelines

The book group will meet monthly via zoom to discuss books in the romance genre. Our definition of romance includes both HEA (Happily Ever After) and HFN (Happy For Now) endings. We will discuss what we read on our own, talk about forthcoming titles, and also pick books to read as a group, either voting on titles prepared by group leaders or taking turns selecting titles.

This book group will strive to be a safe and inclusive space. Racist and homophobic remarks will not be tolerated, and the group may set other content lines to be drawn in discussion or in reading material (e.g., mentions of self-harm, gore, sexual assault) in order to make the experience as fun for all participants as possible. As this is a romance book group, it should be assumed that books read and discussed will often include sex, sometimes explicit in nature.

Book group leaders will:

  • Read the entire book
  • Gather information to help enhance the discussion
  • Be prepared to offer counter opinions – even if they differ from our own
  • Be prepared to begin new lines of discussion when necessary
  • Not let one person monopolize the discussion
  • Be willing and prepared to take control of the group, firmly but respectfully

Book group participants will:

  • Make their best effort to complete the book
  • Come ready to both share and listen
  • Be ready to back up opinions with the “why”
  • Have a great time — if you stop enjoying it, let the leader know

Previous books read:
  • November 2024 – Full Contact, Sarah Castille (Contemporary “Alpha”, F/M)
  • October 2024 – Dragon Actually, G.A. Aiken (Fantasy, F/Dragon)
  • September 2024 – Xeni, Rebekah Weatherspoon (Contemporary, F/M)
  • August 2024 – A Carribbean Heiress in Paris, Adriana Herrera (Historical, F/M)
  • July 2024 – Sweet Little Lies, Jill Shalvis (Contemporary, F/M)
  • June 2024 – Mistakes Were Made, Meryl Wilsner (Contemporary, F/F)
  • May 2024 – Custom Built, Chantal Fernando (Thriller, F/M)
  • April 2024 – The Heiress Hunt, Joanna Shupe (Historical, F/M)
  • March 2024 – How To Catch A Queen, Alyssa Cole (Contemporary African Royal, F/M)
  • February 2024 – Toxic Desire, Robin Lovett (Alien Mate Sci-Fi, F/Alien)
  • January 2024 – The Holiday Trap, Roan Parrish (Contemporary Holiday, F/F & M/M)
  • December 2023 – Priest, Sierra Simone (Contemporary, M/F)
  • November 2023 – Hell on Wheels, Julie Ann Walker (Thriller, F/M)
  • October 2023 – And They Lived Happily Ever After, Therese Beharrie (Magical)
  • September 2023 – Something Wilder, Christina Lauren (Adventure, F/M)
  • August 2023 – The Baller, Vi Keeland (Sports, M/F)
  • July 2023 – I’m in Love with Mothman, Paige Lavoie (Paranormal, F/Mothman)
  • June 2023 – Scandalous Passions, Nicola Davidson (Historical Menage, F/F/M)
  • May 2023 – D’Vaughn and Kris Plan a Wedding, Chencia C. Higgins (Contemporary F/F)
  • April 2023 – Mafia Casanova, M Robinson and Rachel Van Dyken (Mafia)
  • March 2023 – Pride, Prejudice and Other Flavors, Sonali Dev (Contemporary)
  • February 2023 – Hard Sell, Hudson Lin (Contemporary, M/M)
  • January 2023 – The Duke Who Didn’t, Courtney Milan (Historical)
  • December 2022 – Reader’s Choice Holiday Romance
  • November 2022 – The Ex Hex, Erin Sterling (Witchy)
  • October 2022 – Natural Born Charmer, Susan Elizabeth Phillips (Sports-ish)
  • September 2022 – Neon Gods, Katee Robert (Fantasy Hades/Persephone)
  • August 2022 – Fatal Affair, Marie Force (Romantic Suspense)
  • July 2022 – Never Been Kissed, Timothy Janovsky (Contemporary New Adult M/M)
  • June 2022 – Polaris Rising, Jessie Mihalik (Science Fiction)
  • May 2022 – Luckiest Lady in London, Sherry Thomas (Historical)
  • April 2022 – Writing Her In, Holley Trent (Polyamorous)
  • March 2022 – A Cowboy to Remember, Rebekah Wetherspoon (Contemporary Black Cowboy)
  • February 2022 – Battle Royal, Lucy Parker (Contemporary British)
  • January 2022 – Every New Year, Katrina Jackson (Holiday Second-Chance Contemporary)
  • November and December 2021 – The Matzah Ball, Jean Meltzer (Holiday Contemporary)
  • October 2021- How To Bang A Billionaire, Alexis Hall (Billionaire M/M)
  • September 2021 – Deal With The Devil, Kit Rocha (Science Fiction)
  • August 2021 – Gray Hair, Don’t Care, Karen Booth (Second Chance)
  • July 2021 – Angel’s Blood, Nalini Singh (Paranormal Romance)
  • June 2021 – Entangled, Melissa Brayden (Contemporary F/F)
  • May 2021 – The Obsession, Nora Roberts (Contemporary Romantic Suspense)
  • April 2021 – Destiny’s Embrace, Beverly Jenkins (Historical)
  • March 2021 – Loathe At First Sight, Suzanne Park (Contemporary)
  • February 2021 – Reader’s Choice

Raymond Jordan Senior Center Book Club

Come join us for a fascinating book club at the Raymond Jordan Senior Center! | Adults

Raymond Jordan Senior Center
Third Thursday of the Month | 10:00-11:00 AM | Adults

Come join us for a fascinating book club at the Raymond Jordan Senior Center! Do you love to read about real life events? Are you intrigued by learning more about others’ stories and experiences – whether in the present or the past? If so, then meet us at the Raymond Jordan Senior Center for our monthly Book Club, where we delve into the heart of historical fiction, non-fiction, and even memoir.

We will bring each month’s book in large and regular print to each book club meeting. If you need assistance getting additional copies, please contact Elizabeth McKinstry at emckinstry@springfieldlibrary.org.