Brightwood Branch Library
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Hours:
Tuesday: 10 am - 5 pm
Thursday: 1 pm - 8 pm
Friday: 9 am - 1 pm
Directions | Map
Opened in 1998
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359 Plainfield Street
Springfield, MA 01107
413-263-6805
Manager: Reggie Wilson
Assistant Manager:
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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.
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COLLECTIONS include:
- Children's and adult books
- Fiction and non-fiction materials
- Feature films, children's videos, and documentaries
- CD-ROMS and cassette/book kits
- CDS and cassettes
- Spanish language materials (the largest collection among public libraries in Western Massachusetts)
SERVICES include:
- Reference: assists patrons in finding answers and/or materials
- Reader's Advisory: helps patrons of all ages find the right book
- PACS to access local and regional library catalogs
- Interlibrary and intralibrary loan service
- Access to databases with general, health and business information for adults and children
- Computer access: sign up at reference desk
- Word processing: 30 minute slots
- Internet: 30 minute slots
- Chess sets available for public use
- Staff-assisted photocopying
FOR CHILDREN:
- Drop-in crafts: Thursdays, 3:30 - 5 p.m.
- Children's programming
- School Vacation Week activities
- Summer reading program
- Storytimes: by school appointment only
COMMUNITY ROOM:
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. Click here for Meeting Room policy.
Your Opinion Counts at the Library
 The Library is launching an online customer satisfaction survey and is ready for your input. Click here to comment on our collections, policies, programming, services, staff, and more. To take the survey in Spanish click here .
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