Brightwood Branch

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Brightwood Branch – 359 Plainfield Street – Springfield MA 01107
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Brightwood Branch Library exterior

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





413-263-6805

Manager: David Meeks
Supervisor: Haydee Hodis

The Brightwood Branch will be closed for the following holidays:

The libraries will be closed on the following dates for holidays:
January 1, 2023 (Sunday)New Year's Day: Central Library Closed
January 2 (Monday)New Year's Day (Observed)
January 16 (Monday)Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
February 20 (Monday)Presidents’ Day
April 9 (Sunday)Easter: Central Library closed
April 17 (Monday)Patriot’s Day (MA holiday)
May 29 (Monday)Memorial Day
June 19 (Monday)Juneteenth
July 4 (Tuesday)Independence Day
September 4 (Monday)Labor Day
October 9 (Monday)Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples' Day
November 10 (Friday)Veterans Day (Observed)
November 22 (Wednesday)Thanksgiving Eve: All libraries close at 5 pm
November 23 (Thursday)Thanksgiving Day
December 24 (Sunday)Christmas Eve: Central Library closed
December 25 (Monday)Christmas Day
January 1, 2024 (Monday)New Year's Day
Computers: Eight internet computers, two computers with preloaded games. Each session lasts 30 minutes. Children may have two sessions per day. Headphones are not provided. Earbuds are available at the Circulation desk for $1.
Photograph of the Brightwood Branch Community Room
Brightwood Branch

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.

The beautiful Brightwood Branch Library is located in the heart of the Brightwood section of Springfield. The library is situated in the Chestnut Accelerated Middle School building across the street from the Benjamin Ramos Health Center.

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.

Watch a video tour of the library here!

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Branch News


Mayor Sarno Recognizes our Springfield City Libraries During National Library Week

April 24th marks National Library Workers Day. Thank you to all our dedicated Springfield Library workers for your tremendous service.

Springfield City Library collecting pajamas for Boston Bruins drive (WWLP)

The Springfield City Library has partnered with the Boston Bruins to take part in the Bruins PJ drive that benefits children. The drive runs through March 15 at all nine library locations in the city.

‘Anthony’s Book Club’ to support literacy in Springfield (WWLP)

Join Thunderbirds forward Anthony Angello for ‘Anthony’s Book Club’, created in partnership with the Springfield City Library and the T-Birds Foundation.

Branch Programs


Discover Your Summer Events & Activities 2023

Discover Your Summer Events & Activities

Join us for Discover Your Summer: Summer Reading kickoff parties, live music, animal programs, crafts, and more! | All Ages

Connecticut River Birding & Nature Walk

Connecticut River Birding and Nature Walk

Join us for a stroll along the Riverwalk in Springfield to learn more about the plants and animals that live in the Connecticut River Watershed. | Adults

Raymond Jordan Senior Center Book Club

Raymond Jordan Senior Center Book Club

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

Middle Earth Walking Challenge

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

Hit Us with Your Best Shot: a Photography Contest

Hit Us with Your Best Shot: a Photography Contest

Enter the contest and send us your photos! | Teens

Discover Your Springfield Photo Scavenger Hunt

Discover Your Springfield Photo Scavenger Hunt – June through August

Each week we’ll announce a new prompt here on our website and on social media, and you will snap a photograph based on that prompt! | Online | Teens

Job Corps & AmeriCorps Information Tables

Job Corps & AmeriCorps Information Tables

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

Kids Weekly Drop-In Crafts

Kids’ Weekly Drop-In Crafts

Drop by your library, and see what craft is being offered this week! | Children

1000 Books Before Kindergarten

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 & Playgroup

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