Central Library – 220 State Street – Springfield MA 01103 | ||||||
MON | TUE | WED | THU | FRI | SAT | SUN |
12-8 | 9-5 | 12-8 | 9-5 | CLOSED | 9-5 | 12-5* |
*Open Sundays between Labor Day and Memorial Day |

220 State Street
Springfield MA 01103
Parking: Visitors to the Central Library may park for free in the lot directly across State Street. A few accessible spaces are located in front of St. Michael’s Cathedral (church next to the Central Library) on State Street. Accessible parking is also available in the small lot between the Smith Art Museum and the Science Museum (enter via the driveway to the right of the library, next to the Cathedral).
Book Drop: The book drop is located across State St. in the parking lot – take an immediate right when you enter the lot, and you will see the drive-up book drop ahead on the right. (There is no after-hours book drop on the side of the street with the library building, only the one in the parking lot.)
413-263-6828
Reference: ext. 213
Circulation: ext. 218
Children’s Room: ext. 201
Manager, Borrowers’ Services: Zach Bartlett
Manager, Adult and Youth Information Services: Diane Houle
Manager, Technical Services: Tom O’Connell
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 |
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 |
Children: Six internet computers. Each session lasts 30 minutes. Children may have two sessions per day. Headphones are provided.
Adults and Teens: 32 computers available in Wellman Hall. Two one-hour sessions allowed per day with your valid library card or guest access. No headphones. Earbuds for $1 and flash drives for $5 are available at the Reference Desk.
Computer Lab: The computer lab on the lower level is reserved for computer classes.
Connect to WiFi: The Central Library provides access to WiFi for your personal device. Before you connect please read our Computer Use and Internet Access Policy. To connect, navigate to your WiFi settings and choose LibraryPublicHotspot. Problems? Please ask a Librarian.
Fax Service: Fax service is available in Wellman Hall on the second floor of the Central Library. There is a $1 per job charge for a traditional fax. We cannot receive faxes.
Scanning: There is no charge to scan your document to an email address, USB, tablet or smartphone. To scan to your smartphone you must have a QR code app.
Mobile Printing: You can easily print on the Central Library’s public printer during library hours from your home computer, laptop or mobile device. Imagine that! You don’t have to be in the Central Library to print but you must pick up the print job on the same day during our open hours.
There are three ways to use our mobile printing option: (available during the library’s open hours)
1. Visit our online printer portal, enter your email address, upload your document or URL and click on green printer icon
2. Send or forward the document as an attachment via email to scl-main-bw@printspots.com
3. Install the PrinterOn app for iOS or Android devices. Search 01103 or Springfield and select SCL Main Branch
Come to Wellman Hall at the Central Library on the same day during our open hours to retrieve your print job. (Note: The Central Library is closed on Fridays.) Black and white only; 15 cents a page. Consult a staff member for assistance.
Here is a list of supported file formats in a pdf file.


The Community Room and Computer Lab on the lower level are available to the public by application when these rooms are not needed for library purposes. The rooms may be reserved for use by educational, civic, cultural, and governmental groups. Visit the Meeting Room page for information about booking the Community Room or Computer Lab, to review our meeting room rules and policies, and submit a meeting room request.
The Central Library boasts large and varied collections, free wifi, and Internet access on public computers, plus many programs for children, teens and adults. Children’s storytimes, book groups, and free computer classes are among the most popular. PDF document of the Central Library floor plan.

Since its opening in 1912, the Central Library, a “center of intellectual life,” has given entrance to the State Street corridor. Solidly built of white Vermont marble with immense rooms and corridors, this library has a history of serving working people, at one time open 365 days per year! More than a collection of books and materials, it is an impressive yet inviting community-gathering space. The original 1871 red brick library building, temporarily and ingeniously moved back 200 feet while the current building was under construction, is long gone. Today’s building, an Andrew Carnegie Library, was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. The Rotunda was restored to its original elegance in 1998; the building is on the State Historic Register and is part of the Quadrangle-Mattoon Historic District in the City. Also solid is the history of the men and women who have guided the library. In 150 years only eight library directors have preceded the current director, Molly Fogarty.
For more information about the history of the Central Library, download our brochure.
News
‘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.
Springfield Library offers online series for adult job seekers (WWLP)
This series, running from January to June, is to help support older adults that are looking for a new job or a new career direction. Anyone that is age 50 or older can do these free biweekly skill-building and networking group meetings on Zoom.
Springfield City Library collecting mittens, hats and scarves (Masslive.com)
New or handmade items are preferred. Items of all sizes are needed; more adult-sized items are needed at most locations. The Springfield Library system has been collecting since Dec. 1 and will continue through Dec 31.
Programs

February Activities for Teens
Join us for these events and activities at the library in February! | Teens

February Activities for Children
Join us for these events and activities at the library in February! | Children

D&D: The Keeper’s Flames
Go on an adventure and solve mysteries in this 12-week D&D campaign. Beginners and experienced players welcome. | Central | Adults

James Baldwin Photography Exhibit
Photography exhibit showcasing the 60th birthday celebration of writer James Baldwin. | Central Library | All Ages

January Activities for Teens
Join us for these events and activities at the library in January! | Teens

January Activities for Children
Join us for these events and activities at the library in January! | Children

Free Computer Classes for Beginners
Hands-on workshops to build basic computer skills | Central & Mason Square | Adults

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

Discover Your Winter Reading Challenge
Mark off your reading progress on a special game board and join us for programs and activities! | Children

ABC: Anthony’s Book Club
Join Springfield Thunderbirds player, Anthony Angello, as he shares some of his favorite books with you. | Children & Families

Discover Dungeons & Dragons
Curious about D&D but don’t know how to get started? Meet us for a beginner-friendly adventure every month! | Central | Adults

Teen Choice Day
Suggest YOUR program idea that you would like to see at the library. Then join us for the fun! | Central & East Springfield | Teens

Kids’ Weekly Drop-In Crafts
Drop by your library, and see what craft is being offered this week! | Children

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

Jump n’ Jam Storytime
Storytime is the perfect way to spend a Thursday! We’ll jump and dance and laugh the morning away—and of course, hear lots of awesome stories! | Central | Children

Wee Ones Storytime & Playgroup at Central
Join us for storytime featuring books, songs, and playtime for babies and toddlers and caregivers. | Central | Children

Scavenger Hunt
Join a scavenger hunt and search the Children’s Room for clues. When you finish, get a prize! | Central | Children

Creation Station Every Day at Central Library
Create art with different materials, methods and media guaranteed to unleash your inner artist. | Central | Children

Romance Book Club – Online
Get your Happily Ever After fix from the Romance Book Club! | Online | Adults

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

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