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

All Library Locations
May 1 – September 30 | Open Hours | All Ages

Now is your chance to help Bilbo cross Middle Earth by walking from The Shire to The Lonely Mountain to steal from the fearsome dragon Smaug. Bilbo went 950 miles – can your group do the same?

The goal is to get families moving and adventuring this summer! It’s also a chance to read The Hobbit as a group, if you want.

1 – The walking challenge starts May 1. Go to your favorite library location, pick up a group walking log (or print your own) and up to 2 pedometers per family/group while supplies last. Define your group however you like – friends, families, whatever!

2 – When your log reaches 250 miles, bring it to the library and pick up a couple water bottles for your group for walking hydration, while supplies last.

3 – Turn in your log when you’re done or by Sept 30 – we don’t expect most groups to finish! But it’s fun to try. Get a fancy personalized certificate with your mileage!

4 – Top 3 mileage groups will get a lovely gift illustrated edition of The Hobbit. Seven more copies of the book will be raffled off randomly to all other groups who turn in their log at the end of the challenge!

ALSO – join us on Wednesday, September 20th at East Forest Park Branch to watch the 1977 animated Hobbit movie!

413 Gourmet Club

A cooking class meets book club series for those who love to cook at home. Cook together – hands-on and in-person! | East Forest Park | Adults

East Forest Park Branch
Last Wednesday of the Month
6:00 – 7:30 pm | Adults

Join us for a new cooking class meets book club series that will be hands-on and in-person for those who love to cook at home.

During the class, participants will assist in creating a pre-selected dish from the chosen cookbook of the month. Participants are encouraged, but not required, to check out the selected cookbook ahead of time and to bring an accompanying dish from it to share.

Registration for this event is required with a limit of 10 participants.

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!

2023 Seeds Available

Beans & Peas:
Antigua Bush Bean
Seychelles Pole Bean
Oregon Sugar Snow
SS 141 Snap Pea

Broccoli & Cauliflower:
Waltham 29 Broccoli
Spring Broccoli Raab
Nautic Brussels Sprouts

Beets, Carrots, Parsnips, Radishes, Turnips:
Danvers 126 Carrot
Napoli Carrot
Detroit Dark Red Beet
Guardsmark Chioggia Beet
Azur Star Kohlrabi
Lancer Parsnip
Schwarzer Radish
Cherry Belle Radish
Purple Top White Turnip

Flowers:
Pacific Beauty Calendula
Resina Calendula
Double Click Cosmos
Sensation Blend Cosmos
Jasmine Scented Nicotiana
Planéte Rouge du Jura Poppy
Evening Colors Sunflower
Hella Sonnenblume Sunflower
Hopi Black Dye Sunflower
Mammoth Sunflower
Medium Red Sunflower
Red Scarlet Zinnia
Yellow Zinnia

Herbs:
Genovese Basil
Lemon Basil
Rosie Basil
Rutgers Obsession DMR Basil
Sweet Thai Basil
Cribe Cilantro
Santo Cilantro
Bouquet Dill
Greensleeves Dill
Giant Italian Parsley
Italian Flatleaf Parsley
Common sage
Thyme

Lettuces & Leafy Greens:
Astro Arugula
Bellezia Arugula
Esmee Arugula
Golden Acre Cabbage
Farao Cabbage
Belle Isle Cress
Red Giant Mustard Greens
Hotshot Spicy Mustard
Green Wave Mustard Greens
Ruby Streaks Mustard
Curly Roja Kale
Ironman Kale Mix
Lacinato Dinosaur
Vates Kale
White Russian Kale
Green Towers Romaine Lettuce
High Mowing DMR Blend
Lolla Rossa Lettuce
Outredgeous Romaine
Red Oakleaf Lettuce
Salad Bowl Lettuce
Red Planet Salad Blend
White Stemmed Pac Choy
Yukina Savoy
Giant Winter Spinach
Butterflay Spinach

Peppers:
Candlelight Hot
Early Jalepeño (hot)
Ring Fire Cayenne Hot
Shishito Pepper (mild)

Eggplant:
Black Beauty Eggplant
Little Finger Egglant

Tomatoes:
Brandywine
Goldie Ground Cherry
Moskvich
Prudens Purple
Sweetie Cherry
Toma Verde Tomatillo

What’s Cooking Cookbook Club – Online

Do you enjoy cooking, or would you like to improve your cooking skills? | Online | Adults

Meetings are currently held online.

Click here to join us via Zoom!

Online
3rd Tuesday of the month | 10:00 – 11:00 AM | Adults

Join the monthly Cookbook Club to hear about the latest cookbooks, share great recipes, and more in this casual yet informative discussion group.

For more information, contact Gary Pysznik at 413-263-6828 ext. 395 or by email at gpysznik@springfieldlibrary.org.