Category: Mason Square

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.

Middle Earth Walking Challenge: May 1 – September 30

Now is your chance to help Bilbo cross Middle Earth! Can you walk 950 miles to complete the adventure? | All Ages

All Library Locations
May 1 – September 30 | Open Hours | All Ages

Now is your chance to help Bilbo cross Middle Earth by walking from The Shire to The Lonely Mountain to steal from the fearsome dragon Smaug. Bilbo went 950 miles – can your group do the same?

The goal is to get families moving and adventuring this summer! It’s also a chance to read The Hobbit as a group, if you want.

1 – The walking challenge starts May 1. Go to your favorite library location, pick up a group walking log (or print your own) and up to 2 pedometers per family/group while supplies last. Define your group however you like – friends, families, whatever!

2 – When your log reaches 250 miles, bring it to the library and pick up a couple water bottles for your group for walking hydration, while supplies last.

3 – Turn in your log when you’re done or by Sept 30 – we don’t expect most groups to finish! But it’s fun to try. Get a fancy personalized certificate with your mileage!

4 – Top 3 mileage groups will get a lovely gift illustrated edition of The Hobbit. Seven more copies of the book will be raffled off randomly to all other groups who turn in their log at the end of the challenge!

ALSO – join us on Wednesday, September 20th at East Forest Park Branch to watch the 1977 animated Hobbit movie!

Hit Us with Your Best Shot: a Photography Contest

Enter the contest and send us your photos! | Teens

Contest Rules and Details

Entries Accepted (see rules below):
Thursday, June 20 – Monday, July 31, 2023

We’re having a photography contest for teens ages 13 to 18! Use your creativity to take pictures on such themes as as family life, friends, nature, wildlife, social issues, sports, and your hometown to win gift card prizes.  Three winning photographs will be picked Monday, August 14, 2023.

Submit photos (or ask questions) to photos@springfieldlibrary.org. Photos should be accompanied by:

  • Photographer’s full name
  • Contact information (email and telephone number)
  • Street address
  • Category: Amateur or  Semi-Professional

Rules and Details

  • Photos may be full color or black and white.
  • Up to three photographs may be submitted by each photographer.
  • Photos will be judged on the following criteria:
    • How closely does the photograph match the theme (30%)
    • How effective is its technique, such as balance, color contrast, and image quality? (50%)
    • How unique or creative is the photograph? (20%)
  • All entries must be original to the photographer, and suitable for all-ages, family-friendly viewing.
  • Winning photographs will be promoted with the library’s Facebook and Instagram
  • Photos that include people’s faces will need to be accompanied by a completed Photo Release Form for each depicted person.
  • All photos must be received by 5 p.m. on Monday, July 31, 2023 to be eligible for the contest.
  • Entrants must be teens ages 13 to 18.
Winners from the Previous Contest

Winners – Amateur

Click on a photo to see full size!

1st place: Richard Harper for Deacon Samuel Chapin
Amateur 1st Place Richard Harper for Deacon Samuel Chapin
1st place: Richard Harper for Deacon Samuel Chapin
2nd place: Dora Campbell for Springfield Symphony Orchestra Stage
Amateur 2nd Place Dora Campbell for Springfield Symphony Orchestra Stage
Dora Campbell for Springfield Symphony Orchestra Stage
3rd place: Kevin Fay for The Great Franconia Elm
Amateur 3rd Place Kevin Fay for The Great Franconia Elm
3rd place: Kevin Fay for The Great Franconia Elm
1st runner up: Jim Sharrard for Trees in Forest Park
Amateur 1st Runner Up Jim Sharrard for Trees in Forest Park
1st runner up: for Jim Sharrard for Trees in Forest Park
2nd runner up: Larry Sanchez for Fireworks Over MassMutual
Amateur 2nd Runner Up Larry Sanchez for Fireworks Over MassMutual
2nd runner up: Larry Sanchez for Fireworks Over MassMutual

Winners – Semi-Pro

Click on a photo to see full size!

Winner: M.J. Tash for Winter on Mattoon Street
Semi-Pro Winner: M.J. Tash for Winter on Mattoon Street
Semi-Pro Winner: M.J. Tash for Winter on Mattoon Street
Runner up: Tara Dasso for Wonder Downtown Springfield
Runner up: Tara Dasso for Wonder Downtown Springfield
Runner up: Tara Dasso for Wonder Downtown Springfield

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+

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
Starts 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!

Home City Families: Playgroups

Parents and their children are invited to join us for stories, songs, and activities! | Children

Home City Families Playgroup

East Forest Park Branch
Fridays | 1:30-2:30 PM | Ages 1-5

Sixteen Acres Branch
Tuesdays | 1:30-2:30 PM | Ages 1-5 

Parents and their children are invited to join us for stories, songs, and activities!

This playgroup is a great opportunity to meet other parents and give your child the opportunity to socialize with other children their age.

No registration required – just come in!

Home City Families: Family Storytime

Indian Orchard Branch
Mondays | 10:30-11:30 AM | Ages 1-6

Join us for stories, songs, movement, fingerplays, a craft and playtime! No registration required. Adult must accompany children. For ages 12 mos. – 6 years, siblings welcome. For more information, please call (413) 263-6846.

Home City Families: Gross Motor Playgroup

Mason Square Branch
Wednesdays | 10:30-11:30 AM | Ages 1-5

Calling all parents with young children! We invite you along with your child for a fun filled hour of gross motor fun to develop physical abilities.

This is a great opportunity to meet other parents and give your child the opportunity to socialize with other children their age.

No registration required – just come in!

 

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 | Adults

Upcoming dates:
August 12
September 9
October 7
November 4
December 2

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.

August Book Choice
We will be reading The Baller by Vi Keeland.

The Baller, Vi Keeland

The first time I met Brody Easton was in the men’s locker room. It was my first interview as a professional sportscaster. The famed quarterback decided to bare all. And by all, I don’t mean he told me any of his secrets. No. The arrogant ass decided to drop his towel, just as I asked the first question. On camera.

The Super Bowl MVP quickly adopted a new hobby–screwing with me. When I pushed back, he shifted from wanting to screw with me, to wanting to screw me. But I don’t date players. And it’s not because I’m one of the few women working in the world of professional football. I’d date an athlete. It’s the other kind of player I don’t date.

You know the type. Good looking, strong, cocky, always looking to get laid. Brody Easton was the ultimate player. Every woman wanted to be the one to change him. But the truth was, all he needed was a girl worth changing for.

Turned out, I was that girl. Simple, right? Let’s face it. It never is. There’s a story between once upon a time and happily ever after…And this one is ours.

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

Our Romance collection librarian will tell you all about exciting additions to the collection, and we’ll get your input on what you’d like to see more of and what we should read.

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:

Seed Library at Mason Square

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 visit the Mason Square Branch Library to choose your seeds!

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!

2023 Seeds Available

Beans & Peas:
Antigua Bush Bean
Seychelles Pole Bean
Oregon Sugar Snow
SS 141 Snap Pea

Broccoli & Cauliflower:
Waltham 29 Broccoli
Spring Broccoli Raab
Nautic Brussels Sprouts

Beets, Carrots, Parsnips, Radishes, Turnips:
Danvers 126 Carrot
Napoli Carrot
Detroit Dark Red Beet
Guardsmark Chioggia Beet
Azur Star Kohlrabi
Lancer Parsnip
Schwarzer Radish
Cherry Belle Radish
Purple Top White Turnip

Flowers:
Pacific Beauty Calendula
Resina Calendula
Double Click Cosmos
Sensation Blend Cosmos
Jasmine Scented Nicotiana
Planéte Rouge du Jura Poppy
Evening Colors Sunflower
Hella Sonnenblume Sunflower
Hopi Black Dye Sunflower
Mammoth Sunflower
Medium Red Sunflower
Red Scarlet Zinnia
Yellow Zinnia

Herbs:
Genovese Basil
Lemon Basil
Rosie Basil
Rutgers Obsession DMR Basil
Sweet Thai Basil
Cribe Cilantro
Santo Cilantro
Bouquet Dill
Greensleeves Dill
Giant Italian Parsley
Italian Flatleaf Parsley
Common sage
Thyme

Lettuces & Leafy Greens:
Astro Arugula
Bellezia Arugula
Esmee Arugula
Golden Acre Cabbage
Farao Cabbage
Belle Isle Cress
Red Giant Mustard Greens
Hotshot Spicy Mustard
Green Wave Mustard Greens
Ruby Streaks Mustard
Curly Roja Kale
Ironman Kale Mix
Lacinato Dinosaur
Vates Kale
White Russian Kale
Green Towers Romaine Lettuce
High Mowing DMR Blend
Lolla Rossa Lettuce
Outredgeous Romaine
Red Oakleaf Lettuce
Salad Bowl Lettuce
Red Planet Salad Blend
White Stemmed Pac Choy
Yukina Savoy
Giant Winter Spinach
Butterflay Spinach

Peppers:
Candlelight Hot
Early Jalepeño (hot)
Ring Fire Cayenne Hot
Shishito Pepper (mild)

Eggplant:
Black Beauty Eggplant
Little Finger Egglant

Tomatoes:
Brandywine
Goldie Ground Cherry
Moskvich
Prudens Purple
Sweetie Cherry
Toma Verde Tomatillo

Knot Just Knitters

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

Whether you knit, crochet, cross-stitch, or crewel, these groups are 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 provided compliments of the Friends of the Library.

Central Library, Wellman Hall
Tuesdays, 2-3 pm

East Springfield Branch
Fridays, 10-11:30 am

East Forest Park Branch
Tuesdays, 1:30-3 pm

Mason Square Branch
Fridays, 1-2:30 pm

Sixteen Acres Branch
Wednesdays, 1-2:30 pm