All Yours Just Ask
On Free Comic Book Day, stop by and pick up a super-fun bag of free comics and comic-inspired activities. | All Ages
All Library Locations
August 14 | All Day | All Ages
Celebrate Free Comic Book Day! Stop by your favorite branch and pick up a super-fun bag of free comics and comic-inspired activities.
Available during open hours, while supplies last. All ages.
Use this activity page to build the foundation of early reading skills. | Children and families
August 1-31
Pre-readers and their loved ones can use this activity page to build the foundation of early reading skills! Complete all the activities and return to the library by the end of August for a free book!
Available at the following library locations: Brightwood Branch, Central Library, Mason Square Branch, East Forest Park Branch, Forest Park Branch, Sixteen Acres Branch as well as online
Create abstract masterpieces by throwing, dripping, or splashing paint at the canvas in this outdoor class! | Children
Mason Square Branch
August 16 | 10-11 a.m. | Ages 2-12 with families
Create abstract masterpieces by throwing, dripping, or splashing paint at the canvas! This creative (and cathartic) event is aimed at children and their families, but all ages are welcome. We will use washable tempera paint and follow social distancing guidelines.
Please remember to wear sunscreen, as we’ll be painting on the lawn!
Ages 2-12 with their families.
How many seashells in the box? Guess to win a prize! | All Ages
Online and All Library Locations
August 1-31
How many seashells are in the box? Take a good look! The person whose guess comes closest wins a fun summer prize! Ties will be decided by a random drawing. All ages.
Get fun take and make activities for kids, adults, and teens this August! | All Ages
August 2-31
Baby shark doo doo doo doo doo doo! Pick up a bag of supplies and have some sensory fun with your small child along with a Baby Shark board book! For children under 5.
At the following library locations: Brightwood Branch, Central Library, East Forest Park Branch, Forest Park Branch, Mason Square Branch, Sixteen Acres Branch
August 2-14
Set sail for seaside fun! Catch a wave for a treasure bag filled with activities and crafts inspired by the sea and sand. Instructions and related activities included. Designed for families with children in grades K-5.
Available at all library locations.
August 2-14
Grab a take and make bag with plenty of supplies and instructions to learn Zentangles – abstract drawings made using repetitive patterns! It’s meditative, creative, and you can do it anywhere. Pick up curbside, and be sure to join the Discover Your Summer reading club! Ages 13-18.
Available at all library locations.
August 2-14
Use coppery wire and embellishments to build a twirly mobile perfect to display in a breezy place.
This take and make a kit contains everything you need to build your own unique, artful creation. Supplies limited. For adults and seniors 18+.
Available at all library locations.
August 1 – 31
What can you find in August? Pick up a scavenger hunt curbside, or download and print from online! Return the completed list during curbside hours to claim a prize. Take pictures of what you find and share them with us!
Get ready to think outside of the box! This July, complete the Teen Photo Scavenger Hunt challenges to enter to win prizes! | Teens
ONLINE
July 1-31 | Ages 13-19
Get ready to think outside of the box! This July, complete the Teen Photo Scavenger Hunt challenges and earn points for a chance to win an Instax camera!
Register online to receive your instructions. Submissions must be received by July 31st.
Participants will receive instructions after they register online and will submit their challenge photos digitally.
Prize: Grand prize winner will receive a Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 Instant Camera and film, and the second and third place winners will receive gift cards to Dunkin Donuts.
Please contact Talin at tlinina@springfieldlibrary.org with any questions!
Join the Summer Reading Club 2021 for kids, teens, and adults at Springfield City Library! | All Ages
This year we offer both the paper reading log, and also the option to play online using Beanstack! Go to https://springfieldlibrary.beanstack.org starting June 14th. See these instructions for Beanstack!
Books • Magazines • Graphic Novels, Comics & Manga • Audiobooks • E-books • Online Articles • Gaming Manuals • Cereal Box • Street Signs • As a Family • During Storytimes • To Pets and Toys • And more!
You can pick up your reading log and a Discover Your Summer bag at any library location or download and print your own log!
Join us for the Comics Club for Teens as we share our favorites in Anime, Manga, and American comics. | Teens
ONLINE ON ZOOM
Monthly, 4th Monday, 3:45 – 4:45 pm on Zoom | Ages 13-19
July’s event is canceled – see you in August!
Do you wait on the edge of your seat for the next Marvel movie? Do you promote your favorite My Hero Academia character every time you see your friends? Then this is the club for you!
Join us on Zoom as we share our favorites in Anime, Manga, and American comics. The club will meet every month on the fourth Monday from 3:45-4:45.
Members will read a graphic work of their choice that fits a monthly theme and tell the group about it. Members will also help shape what the club does! Come and geek out with us! For Teens 13-19.
Meet other LGBTQIA+ or allied teens from Springfield on Zoom for an afternoon of anything YOU want to do! | Teens
ONLINE ON ZOOM
Monthly, 4th Saturdays, 1-2pm on Zoom | Ages 13-18
Meet other LGBTQIA+ or allied teens from Springfield on Zoom for a Saturday afternoon of anything from astrology readings to zine making – whatever YOU want to do!
Every Fourth Saturday of the month we’ll be meeting to build a safe space to hang out and taking your ideas for games, activities, your favorite books or shows to talk about, or just conversation topics you love.
We’ll also be putting together monthly care packages to pick up at your closest branch library!
Free seed library with organic non-GMO seeds for the Springfield community. Request some today from our Mason Square Branch!
The Mason Square Branch Seed Library features a great variety of FREE 100% organic, non-GMO seeds for vegetables, greens, herbs, and flowers, made possible through a grant from Vermont-based seed company, High Mowing Organic Seeds. With multiple varieties, there’s something for everyone!
Because there is a limited supply of seeds, we ask that patrons request no more than 5 seed envelopes per library visit. Please call the Mason Square Branch Library to reserve your FREE seeds for pickup!
The library works with the Northeast Organic Farming Association and the Mason Square Community Garden Group to provide Springfield residents with hands-on gardening workshops led by experienced gardeners. Interested in learning more about gardening? Be sure to check out our virtual gardening workshops, a series on basic gardening practices designed to help novice and experienced gardeners alike.
We also have a variety of gardening books, covering urban gardening, vegetable gardens, container gardens, flower gardens, and more – ask library staff to help you find the perfect book!
Beans & Peas:
1. Antigua bush bean
2. Gold Rush bush bean
3. Kentucky Wonder pole bean
4. Laxton’s progress shell pea
5. Midori Giant soybean
6. Provider bush bean
Broccoli & Cauliflower:
7. Belstar Broccoli
8. DeCicco Broccoli
9. Goodman Cauliflower
Carrots, Radishes & Beets:
10. Napoli Carrot
11. Red Cored Cantenay Carrot
12. Cherry Belle Radish
13. Cylindria Beet
14. Detroit Dark Red Beet
Cucumbers:
15. Green Finger Cucumbers
16. Marketmmore 76 Cucumbers
17. Suyo Long Cucumbers
Flowers:
18. Double Click Cosmos
19. Evening Colors Sunflower
20. Giant Coral Zinnia
21. Lemon Queen Sunflower
22. Mammoth Sunflower
23. Pacific Beauty Calendula
24. Planéte Rouge du Jura Poppy
25. Polka Dot mix Bachelor Buttons
26. Resina Calendula
27. Sensation Blend Cosmos
28. Velvet Queen Sunflower
29. Yellow Zinnia
Herbs:
30. Catnip
31. Genovese Basil
32. Giant Parsley
33. Lemon Balm
34. Lemon Basil
35. Rosie Basil
36. Sacred Basil
37. Summer Savory
38. Sweet Thai Basil
Lettuces, Greens & Celery:
39. Astro Arugula
40. Black Seeded Simpson Lettuce
41. Capture F1 Cabbage
42. Emiko Cabbage
43. Georgia Collards
44. Gourmet blend Lettuce
45. Green Wave Mustard Greens
46. Green Towers Romaine Lettuce
47. Lolla Rossa Lettuce
48. Parris Island Romaine Lettuce
49. Red Giant Mustard Greens
50. Red Salad Bowl
51. Tango Celery
52. Vates Kale
Peppers:
53. Corno di Toro (sweet)
54. Early Jalepeño (hot)
55. Hungarian Hot Pepper (hot)
56. King of the North Sweet pepper (sweet)
57. Shishito Pepper (mild)
Pumpkins & Squashes:
58. Baby Pam Pie Pumpkin
59. Cinderella Pumpkin
60. Jack-be-Little Pumpkin
61. New England Pie Pumpkin
62. Triple Threat Pumpkin
63. Delicata Winter Squash
64. Ronde de Nice Zucchini
65. Success PM Straight Neck Summer Squash
66. Waltham Butternut Winter Squash
Tomatoes:
67. Bing Cherry Tomato
68. Cherokee Purple Tomato
69. Matt’s Wild Cherry Tomato
70. Peacevine Cherry Tomato
71. Red Pear Cherry Tomato
72. San Marzano Paste Tomato
73. Supernova Grape Tomato
74. Super Sweet Hybrid 100 Tomato
