Forest Park Branch Library

Forest Park neighborhood residents outgrew the provisional circulating library that was set up at Park Memorial Baptist Church and residents wanted a full service branch library. In 1908, industrialist Andrew Carnegie provided $50,000 for three branch libraries that included Forest Park Branch Library. Carnegie required that neighborhood citizens subscribe for land to match his donation of money for the building. Over 500 prominent Forest Park citizens subscribed for land and soon Forest Park Branch Library was completed in 1909. The Forest Park Branch now offers wireless access.

SPECIAL NOTICE:

Forest Park Branch LIBRARY REMODELING!
Limited Access to the Children's Collection

Download architect's plan

The wait will be short and the results will be extraordinary! The Forest Park Branch Library, 380 Belmont Avenue, received a gift of $216,000 for renovation of its Children's Room, tentatively to be named “The Charlie and Joan Ryan Family Place.” The architect's plans, incorporating many unique features and essentially bringing Forest Park into the Library, are on display at the branch. Funding is generously being provided by The Barker Foundation and Troy and Patricia Murray.

Beginning May 1, the children's room will not be accessible to the public; however, the library will still be open, with limited access to the children's collection. All of the children's puppets, kits, magazines, graphic novels, paperbacks, board and bin, readers, books on CD, and new materials will be accessible. A limited selection of children's chapter books, picture books and nonfiction books will be available. As always, materials can be requested to be sent to the Forest Park Branch. There will be one limited access children's computer beginning May 15, and users will need their library card. We will continue to have programs in the Community Room and will have the summer reading program as well. So please visit us, but pardon our appearances and limited collection as we prepare for a new and exciting children's room! You may reach us by telephone at (413) 263-6843.

PROGRAMS & EVENTS:

Real Life? Reel Stories!

Movies for the whole family!

The first Thursday of every month, 4-6pm in the Forest Park Community Room.

Call the branch at 263-3843 for movie title!

Sponsored by the Friends of the Springfield Library

Knit-n-More
Thursdays, 5 - 6:30 pm

Do you want to learn to knit or crochet, or need help with a yarn project you have started? Bring a pair of #8 or #9 needles and a ball of worsted weight yarn, or a #4.5 or #5 crochet hook and a ball of worsted weight yarn to the Forest Park Branch Library and our talented volunteer, Lynn, will help you. Teens, adults and families are encouraged to stop in and give it a try! You'll be able to check out new items at the Library as well as visit with others interested in the crafts of knitting and crocheting. It's great for beginning or advanced knitters. The "Knit-n-More" group meets Thursdays from 5 -6:30 p.m. Please call 263-6843 for more information.

COLLECTIONS:

SERVICES:

FOR CHILDREN:

For information about the renovation of the Forest Park Branch Library and its history, click here .

For Branch Advisory Committee information, contact:
Ginna Ondricek
Help shape the direction of the Forest Park Branch Library at its next advisory meeting. We want your suggestions.

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