Programs – Adult – Springfield City Library

Queer Book Club

A monthly club for reading queer books of various genres | Adults

Monsoon Roastery and Espresso Bar
Saturdays, once a month | 12:30-1:30 PM | Adults

Discover Queer Book Club! A monthly club for reading queer books of various genres. Read one (or all!) of the 4 book options and meet us at Monsoon’s cafe for coffee or lunch to discuss.

February 8: Literary/Contemporary-Coming of Age

Jonny Appleseed by Joshua Whitehead
Son of Sin by Omar Sakr
Hombrecito by Santiago Jose Sanchez
The Contradictions by Sophie Yanow

Monthly Themes

Themes for 2025

January 11: A Variety of Cozy
February 8: Literary/Contemporary-Coming of Age
March 8: Travel
April 19: Poetry
May 17: Westerns

Themes from 2024

June 15: Contemporary Romance
July 13: Historical fiction, 1900-1950
August 8: Detective Mysteries
September 21: Science Fiction – Space Operas
October 19: Horror – Haunted House
November 16: Memoir
December 14: Fantasy- Dragons

All book choices, past and future

Questions?

Get in touch with Blaise Kyrios at bkyrios@springfieldlibrary.org

Springfield Local Author Book Fair

Come to the Local Author Fair to meet recently published authors and enjoy their works in this showcase of local talent and achievement.

The next Local Author Book Fair will be held on Saturday, September 28, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Rotunda and Rice Hall on the second floor at the Central Library.

Meet Your Neighbors, Meet Their Books!

Join us for a celebration of Springfield’s vibrant literary scene at the Local Author Book Fair! This exciting event brings together a diverse range of local authors, all eager to connect with readers and share their passion for storytelling.

Why Attend?

Support Local Authors: Discover the wealth of talent right in your own community. Buy a book directly from the author and help them continue their creative journey.

Find Your Next Great Read: Explore a variety of genres, from captivating fiction to informative non-fiction. There’s something for everyone, whether you’re a mystery buff, a history enthusiast, or a lover of poetry.

Connect with Fellow Bookworms: Chat with authors about their work, get your books personalized with a signature, and mingle with other book lovers who share your passion for reading.

Mark Your Calendars!

The next Local Author Book Fair will be held on Saturday, September 28, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Rotunda and Rice Hall on the second floor at the Central Library.

Admission is free, so come meet your neighbors and discover the hidden gems of Springfield’s literary world!

List of Authors – September 2024

Author	Book
Katherine Anderson	Murder at the Alma Mater
RA Cook	Good To Be Me – Discovering What Makes Me Special & Unique
Michael DeStefano	The Old Corsair
Donalyn Gross	What Does Death Look Like?
K. Hickson	Stars & Stripes
Mary Anne Horsman	Set the Stage for Success: De-clutter, Get Organized and Love Your Life
Travis Kuffel	Unleashed
LaTonia Monroe Naylor	Mission-Rich AND Profit-Powered: A Guide to Transforming Your Passion into a Fully-Funded Business
Anne Pinkerton	Were You Close? a sister’s quest to know the brother she lost
Meg Thacher	Sky Gazing: a Guide to the Moon, Sun, Planets, Stars, Eclipses, Constellations
Lisa Zarcone	The Book of Joann

List of Authors – April 2024

Below is a list of authors who attended the Local Author Fair – your neighbors, sharing their art! Also, titles of their most recent book – although several will have multiple books to share.

Stephen Billias – A Book of Fields
Bela Breslau and Stephen Billias – Pilgrim Maya
Justin Cascio – In Our Blood: The Mafia Families of Corleone
Tian Connaughton – Cardigans For Every Body: because every body is worthy
D. Dina Friedman – Immigrants
Adrián Gras-Velázquez – Lo que hago en mi habitación
Robert Loesch – Out on a Limb and Other Stories
Stephanie Marrero-Wilson – Healing in Him: 31 Day Journaling Devotional
Jane F. Morrissey, SSJ – Finding Jane in the Box – a Memoir
Jennifer Allis Provost – Oleander
Ruth Sanderson – A Storm of Horses: The Story of Artist Rosa Bonheur
Dulce Santana – Flowers in the City
H. Triplett – Perforated Fiber Forbidden Memories
Dennis Walter – The Misguided Mentor

Are You A Local Author?

Get on our list to be invited next time! We hold Author Fairs about twice a year, in the Spring and the Fall.

Silent Book Club

Wish you had more time to read? Looking for some book lovers to hang out with? Join us for Silent Book Club! | Central Library | Adults and Teens 16+

Central Library
Second Monday of the Month
6:00 – 7:30 pm | Adults and Teens 16+

Wish you had more time to read? Looking for some book lovers to hang out with? Join us for Silent Book Club! One night a month, we get cozy at the library for an hour of solo reading and time at the end to chat. Come to meet new people and leave with new book recommendations! For Adults and Teens 16+.

Registration optional, but if you register, you’ll get reminders.

Register on our online calendar.

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!

2024 Seeds Available

Beans & Peas:
Antigua Bush bean
Bush Tendergreen Bean
Lima Henderson Bean
Mardi Gras Blend Bean
Maxibel Haricot Vert Bush Bean
Royal Burgundy Bush Bean
Rattlesnake Pole Bean
Quincy Pinto Bean
Snap Sugar Daddy Pea

Broccoli, Cauliflower, and Sprouts:
Belstar Broccoli
De Cicco Broccoli
Hon Tsai Tai Flowering Broccoli
Waltham 29X1 Broccoli
Dagan Brussels Sprout
Long Island Improved Brussels Sprouts
Snowball Y Improved Cauliflower

Root vegetables:
Detroit Dark Red Beet
Early Wonder Tall Top Beet
Scarlett Nantes Carrot
Yellowstone Carrot
Purple Vienna Kohlrabi
Tokyo Long White Bunching Onion
Cherry Belle Radish
Daikon Radish
French Breakfast Radish
White Icicle Radish
Purple Top White Globe Turnip

Flowers:
Pacific Beauty Calendula
Echinacea Purpurea
Dwarf Jewel Blend Nasturium
Planete Rouge du Jura Poppy
Evening Colors Sunflower
Hella Sonnenblume Sunflower
Hopi Black Dye Sunflower
Medium Red Sunflower
Velvet Queen Sunflower
Orange Zinnia
Red Scarlett Zinnia
Yellow Zinnia

Herbs:
Lemon Balm
Genovese Basil
Rutgers Obsession DMR Basil
Santo Cilantro
Bouquet Dill
Sweet Marjoram
Grüne Perle Parsley
Sorrel

Lettuces & Leafy Greens:
Astro Arugula
Esmee Arugula
Caraflex Cabbage
Emiko Cabbage
Farao Cabbage
Golden Acre Cabbage
UT 52-70 Celery
Fordhook Giant Chard
Rainbow Blend Chard
Sunset Chard
Frisse Endive
Mizuna Asian Greens
Tat Soi Asian Green
Ruby Streaks Mustard Green
Wasabina Mustard Greens
Vates Blue Scotch Curled Kale
Buttercrunch Lettuce
Black Seeded Simpson Lettuce
Freckles Lettuce
Green Star Lettuce
Lolla Rosa Lettuce
Magenta Lettuce
Nevada Lettuce
Red Oakleaf lettuce
Red Salad Bowl Lettuce
Outredgeous Romaine Lettuce
Green Towers Romaine Lettuce
Parris Island Romaine Lettuce
Salad Bowl Lettuce
Tango Lettuce
Garnet Giant Mustard
Hotshot Spicy Blend Mustard
Red Giant Mustard
Shanghai Green Pac Choy
Yukina Savoy
Bloomsdale Spinach
Renegade Spinach

Cucumbers, Melons, & Squash:
Cantaloupe Hales Best Jumbo
Cucumber Marketmore 76
Suyo Long Cucumber
Howden Pumpkin
Pumpkin Sugar Pie
Benning’s Green Tint Summer Squash
Winter Squash Waltham Butternut
Watermelon Sugar Baby
Zucchini Dark Green

Peppers:
Bell Pepper Sweet California Wonder
Shishito Pepper (mild)

Eggplant:
Eggplant Black Beauty
Listada di Gandia Eggplant

Tomatoes:
Brandywine Tomato
Matt’s Wild Cherry Tomato
Large Cherry Tomato
Peacevine Cherry Tomato
Moskvich Tomato
Mountain Princess Tomato
Pruden’s Purple
Roma VF Tomato
San Marzano Paste Tomato
Toma Verde Tomatillo

Miscellaneous:
Corn Early Bantam
Okra Clemson Spineless

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 although we don’t provide formal lessons, current members are often willing to teach their skills.

Some yarn and needles are provided, but donations of such items are always welcome!

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

Genealogy Help

Get help with family history, for beginners and experts alike. | Central Library

By Appointment

Central Library ｜Online via Zoom or In-Person

Get help with genealogy questions! We can show you how to access the library’s and other genealogy resources, get started with your family history, or tackle a stumbling block on your existing project.

Call to make a phone appointment – 413-263-6828 x395, ask for Gary, or email gpysznik@springfieldlibrary.org.

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

Free Computer Classes for Beginners

Hands-on workshops to build basic computer skills | Central Library | Adults

Computer Classes for Beginners

Do computers intimidate you? The library’s computer classes are great for beginners. We teach hands-on, relaxed courses that will help you get comfortable with computers, even if you’ve never used one before.

By the end of one of our courses, you will be ready to explore on your own. Registration is required to participate, but you do not have to attend all of the classes – feel free to try the first before thinking about the rest.

If you have any questions, you can call your local library to talk to a reference librarian. We can help you register for one of our classes or figure out where to start!

click here to search for classes on our calendar

Free Computer Resources

Mouse Practice

learn computers

Aprenda a Usar la computadora

getting started on a computer

comenzar en la computadora

more computer tools & tutorials
(in English and en espanol)

Free Citizenship Classes

The Read/Write/Now Center is accepting reservations for free citizenship classes.

Library Express at Pine Point

A new round of Free Citizenship Classes will be starting soon. The Read/Write/Now Center will provide the study materials and instructional support. Please call for more information at 413-263-6839.

These classes are brought to you with federal funds provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.

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:
February 8, March 8, April 5, May 3, June 14

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.

February Book Choice

We will be reading We Could Be So Good by Cat Sebastian.

Book Cover - two men silhouetted kissing, against a stylized blue background with a city fire escape

Nick Russo has worked his way from a rough Brooklyn neighborhood to a reporting job at one of the city’s biggest newspapers. But the late 1950s are a hostile time for gay men, and Nick knows that he can’t let anyone into his life. He just never counted on meeting someone as impossible to say no to as Andy.

Andy Fleming’s newspaper-tycoon father wants him to take over the family business. Andy, though, has no intention of running the paper. He’s barely able to run his life—he’s never paid a bill on time, routinely gets lost on the way to work, and would rather gouge out his own eyes than deal with office politics. Andy agrees to work for a year in the newsroom, knowing he’ll make an ass of himself and hate every second of it.

Except, Nick Russo keeps rescuing Andy: showing him the ropes, tracking down his keys, freeing his tie when it gets stuck in the ancient filing cabinets. Their unlikely friendship soon sharpens into feelings they can’t deny. But what feels possible in secret—this fragile, tender thing between them—seems doomed in the light of day. Now Nick and Andy have to decide if, for the first time, they’re willing to fight.

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:

February 2025 – We Could Be So Good, Cat Sebastian (M/M, Historical)
January 2025 – Queen Move, Kennedy Ryan (F/M, Contemporary)
December 2024 – A Merry Little Meet Cute, Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone (Contemporary Holiday, F/M)
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

Books & Brew Book Club

Cure your mid-week blues with a lively book discussion. | Adults

Nathan Bills Bar and Restaurant
First Wednesday of the month | 6:00-7:00 PM | Adults

Join a lively discussion with other book lovers, and bring your favorite brew too!

Copies of the book will be available at the Forest Park or East Forest Park Branch Libraries, and often are available via Libby or Hoopla with a Springfield City Library card too.

Please email Arlien Ricciardi at aricciardi@springfieldlibrary.org or
Chelsea Bell at cbell@springfieldlibrary.org if you have any questions.

Check the calendar for upcoming meetings

Please note that attendees are responsible for their own food and drink purchases.