Programs for Adults at the Springfield City Library

Programs listed here are often suitable for all ages. The Library also has a wide variety of programs specifically intended for children and teens.

Special Events | Computer classes | Author visits | Book & Craft Clubs | Adult Literacy
Movies | Small Business

Adult Summer Reading Club
June 24 - August 24

Read, share your reviews, and earn raffle tickets for some great prizes!

Details coming soon!

The Summer Reading Club is sponsored by the Friends of the Springfield Library, Inc., the Boston Bruins, the Massachusetts Library System, and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.

Special Events:

Concerts at the Library

Musical concerts are occasionally held in the Rotunda at the Central Library and at the Forest Park Branch. More...

Crocheting and Hand Looming at the Central Library

Stop in to see Steven’s display of needlework in Wellman Hall, plus get a chance to ask him questions about crocheting and looming. All skill levels are welcome, from beginners to advanced. Basic guidance with knitting is also offered.

Poetry Workshops!

Our popular "Vitamin P for Poetry" workshops and readings will continue in January and through the spring. More...

Ongoing Events

Computer Training

The library offers a continuing series of classes in basic computer use, searching the Internet, subject-oriented research, and a variety of other topics. The current schedule is posted on the Hi!Tech@the Library page.

Trainings for the Foundation Center Online Database are scheduled quarterly, and can also be arranged upon request by contacting Donna Goldthwaite at 263-6828 x437 or dgoldthwaite@springfieldlibrary.org.

Finding Reliable Health & Medical Information Online

Would you like to find out where to get reliable, relevant health information on the Internet? Consider signing up for one or all of the free computer workshops to be taught by Margot Malachowski, Outreach Librarian at Baystate Health. More....

Author Visits

The library hosts two Author Fairs each year featuring recently published writers from the greater Springfield area. Visit our Local Authors page for more details about that popular event. Additionally, the Library occassionally offers Author Talks showcasing the work of just one or two authors at a time. Review the list below to see some of the featured authors from the last few years. If there is a writer you'd like to see at the library, please contact the Central Library Reference Desk at 263-6828 x213 or email askalibrarian@springfieldlibrary.org.

2012:

Tzivia Gover, Learning in Mrs. Towne's House

2011:

David Chura, I Don't Wish Nobody to Have a Life Like Mine: tales of kids in adult lockup

2010:

Dr. Ronald Mallett, Time Traveler: A Scientist's Personal Mission to Make Time Travel a Reality (part of City Thinks)
Keshawn Dodds, Menzuo in the Calling of the Sun Prince
James McCommons, Waiting on a Train
M.P. Barker, A Difficult Boy
Timothy Black, When a Heart Turns Rock Solid: The Lives of Three Puerto Rican Brothers On and Off the Streets
M J Nicholas (Nicholas Burlak), Love and War: An American Volunteer in the Soviet Red Army

Book Discussion and Crafts Groups

The Library hosts a number of monthly groups which discuss a pre-selected book, or share recent good reads. There are groups which meet at the Central Library, Mason Square, Forest Park, East Forest Park, and Sixteen Acres Branches. Visit the Book Discussion Group page to find the best group for you!

Weekly knitting and crocheting clubs are available at the East Forest Park, Forest Park, and East Springfield branches. Visit the branch pages for more information.

Adult Literacy

Read/Write/Now

The Read/Write/Now Adult Learning Center, based at the Pine Point Branch on Boston Road, provides adult basic education at no cost to participants.

R/W/N produces a Directory of Adult Basic Education programs in Springfield. The Directory is available online .

For more information, visit the Read/Write/Now webpage, or contact project manager Janet Kelly at 263-6389.

Movies

The Forest Park Branch hosts regular screenings of popular family-friendly films. Light refreshments are provided. Visit the Forest Park Branch page for upcoming films!

Small Business Start-up

The Library offers an occasional series of small business start-up workshops, in collaboration with the Western Massachusetts branch of the Small Business Administration.

Check the Small Business Workshops page, or contact the Library for upcoming dates.