Central Library

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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

 

The Central Library
The Central Library

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.)

PVTA Bus Route: G3, B6, B7





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 Central Library 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

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.

Photograph of the Central Library Computer Lab
Computer Lab
Photograph of the Central Library Community Room
Community Room

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.

Historic view of the Central Library Rotunda

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.

Watch a video tour of the library here!

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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.

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

Monday Funday

Monday Funday

Join us Monday afternoons for a different Monday Funday activity each week! We’ll play, build, craft, and create! | Central | Children

Summer Storytimes

Summer Storytimes

Join us for some beautiful sunny and family-friendly storytimes! | Central Library & East Forest Park | Children

Fiero Code Club: Coding for Kids 9-14

Fiero Code Club

Learn the basics of computer programming and all the skills needed to become a master coder. | Central Library | Tweens & Teens

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

Celebrating James Baldwin Page Header

James Baldwin Photography Exhibit

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

Keyboard, Mouse, and Screen Graphics Banner

Free Computer Classes for Beginners

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

Resume & Cover Letter Workshops

Resume & Cover Letter Workshops

Create an effective resume and cover letter in these step-by-step workshops. | Central Library | Adults

Homeschool Cafe

Homeschool Cafe

We provide snacks and activities, and a comfortable space for homeschoolers to come together, socialize, and play! | Central Library | Children & 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

Tabletop RPG Club

Tabletop RPG Club

If you love collaborative storytelling and role-playing, join the Tabletop RPG Club! | Central | Teens & Adults

Crafting Mondays

Crafting Mondays

We’ll have art supplies and crafting supplies available for teens to create a project in the teen room or take home to complete later! | Central Library | Teens

Teen Choice Day

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

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

Jump n' Jam Storytime

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

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

Scavenger Hunt

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

Creation Station

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 Group Web Header

Romance Book Club – Online

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

Genealogy Help by Appointment

Genealogy Help

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

Knot Just Knitters

Knot Just Knitters

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

Afterthoughts Book Discussion Group

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