Brightwood Branch – 359 Plainfield Street – Springfield MA 01107 |
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MON | TUE | WED | THU | FRI | SAT | SUN | |
1-5 | 1-8 | 1-5 | 1-8 | 9-5 | Closed | Closed |

359 Plainfield Street
Springfield MA 01107
Parking: Free parking is available in the lot shared by the Library and Chestnut Accelerated Middle School. On-street parking is also available. The Children’s area is on the right.
Book Drop: Located to the right of the main entrance, facing Plainfield St.
PVTA Bus Route: B4
Manager: David Meeks
Supervisor: Haydee Hodis
The libraries will be closed on the following dates for holidays: | |
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January 1, 2022 (Saturday) | New Year's Day |
January 2 (Sunday) | New Year Weekend: Central Library Closed |
January 17 (Monday) | Martin Luther King, Jr. Day |
February 21 (Monday) | Presidents’ Day |
April 17 (Sunday) | Easter: Central Library closed |
April 18 (Monday) | Patriot’s Day (MA holiday) |
May 30 (Monday) | Memorial Day |
June 20 (Monday) | Juneteenth (Observed) |
July 4 (Monday) | Independence Day |
September 5 (Monday) | Labor Day |
October 10 (Monday) | Columbus Day |
November 11 (Friday) | Veterans Day |
November 23 (Wednesday) | Thanksgiving Eve: All libraries close at 5 pm |
November 24 (Thursday) | Thanksgiving Day |
December 24 (Saturday) | Christmas Eve |
December 25 (Sunday) | Christmas Day: Central Library Closed |
December 26 (Monday) | Christmas Day (Observed) |

To promote neighborhood culture and development, the library makes its community room available for educational, social service, and other organizations. The library also hosts community events such as musical performances, puppet shows, readings by authors, and exhibitions by illustrators and other artists. Visit the Meeting Room page for information about booking the Community Room, to review our meeting room rules and policies, and submit a meeting room request.
Through its Collections and Services, the Brightwood Branch Library provides for the informational, educational, and leisure needs of the community.
Do you know how the Brightwood area got its name? Josiah Gilbert Holland (born in Belchertown, MA in 1819), doctor, author, poet, and early editor of The Springfield Republican, wrote his second narrative poem titled “Kathrina,” in 1867 while staying at his new home in the north end of Springfield. He called his beautiful home (“painted a glowing Venetian red”) Brightwood, and the name was soon applied to the whole section of the city. Interestingly J.G. Holland married Elizabeth Chapin, a good friend of Amherst poet Emily Dickinson. Mr. Holland died in New York City in 1881 and is buried in the Springfield Cemetery; his bronze profile wrought by Augustus Saint-Gaudens adorns his cemetery monument.
Branch News
Increasing Community Internet Access: Introducing Chromebooks
The Library will circulate Google Chromebook laptops for those in the community that do not have computer access at home.
Citywide Mask Mandate Will Expire; At-Home COVID-19 Testing Kit Distribution Centers Consolidated
The City of Springfield mask mandate will expire February 28, 2022. At-home COVID-19 testing kit distribution centers will also be consolidated.
Poetry Workshops, Performance At Springfield City Library: Apply Now For Master Class With Poet Laureate Magdalena Gómez
Applications are now open for women, teen girls, and women-identified people interested in an introduction to writing and performing inviting, exciting, and inspiring poetry. Join this master class with Springfield’s Poet Laureate, Magdalena Gómez.
Branch Programs

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

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

Tie-Dye Your Pride! – June 10
Celebrate Pride Month and the pride you feel by tie-dying pillow cases a rainbow of colors! | Brightwood | Children & Teens

Celebrating Poetry Month with Magdalena Gómez – June 9
Join us for a night of poetry with Magdalena Gómez, Springfield’s Poet Laureate. | Brightwood | Adults

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

1000 Books Before Kindergarten
Read just one book a day to build a foundation for lifelong success. Prizes awarded for every 100 books! | Children

Bilingual Storytime
Vengan y participen todos los miércoles del programa bilingue en Inglés y Español: Disfruten de cancioncitas, rimas, cuentos, y actividades manuales. | Brightwood | Children

Afterthoughts Book Discussion Group – Online
A traditional book discussion group where everyone reads and discusses the same book. Join us! | Online | Adults

What’s Cooking Cookbook Club – Online
Do you enjoy cooking, or would you like to improve your cooking skills? | Online | Adults