SPRINGFIELD CITY LIBRARY
WHAT'S NEW AT THE LIBRARY? - MAY 2022
In this Issue
Plan Ahead for The Holiday
Now You Can Borrow a Laptop & WiFi with Your Library Card!
FREE COMIC BOOK DAY!
Book Lists and Recommendations
Activities for Kids and Families
Programs and Crafts for Teens
Events for Adults
Download & Stream Music FREE With Your Library Card!
Connect With Us
Plan Ahead for The Holiday
The library will be closed on the following day- plan ahead for books, movies, and music to enjoy!
 
May 30, 2022 (Monday) - Memorial Day - Closed
Now You Can Borrow a Laptop & WiFi with Your Library Card!
The Springfield City Library has introduced Google Chromebook laptops into circulation in an effort to expand access to technology within the community. The Chromebooks can be borrowed separately or paired with one of the wireless hotspots. These Chromebooks are available to be borrowed free of charge with an active library card.
 
The Google Chromebooks are available to borrowers 18 years of age and older who are in good standing with the library. They may be borrowed for 14 days and are available on a first come, first served basis. Each Chromebook comes with a power cord and sturdy carrying case and can be operated with an existing Google login or guest option. Chromebooks are available at all Springfield Library locations; please check the link or call your local branch to check on availability. Borrowing a Chromebook and wireless hotspot together make the perfect pair for internet access at home.
 
FREE COMIC BOOK DAY!
Stop by the library to celebrate Free Comic Book Day! We'll have games, crafts, and a selection of FREE COMICS for children, teens, and adults!
While supplies last.
 
Saturday, May 7 | Open Hours | All Ages
Central Library & Branches: East Forest Park, East Springfield, Forest Park, Indian Orchard, Mason Square, and Sixteen Acres
 
Monday, May 9 | Open Hours | All Ages
Branches: Brightwood, Library Express at Pine Point
 
Book Lists and Recommendations
Librarians have created curated topic lists that you can click through to place a hold directly in the catalog! See previous lists here!
 
Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month - Enjoy these fiction titles written by Asian American and Pacific Islander authors.
Get Wild in Your Garden - Gardening for Wildlife Month.  A good way to care for the environment is to grow native plants that support local wildlife - especially pollinators like bees, birds, bats, and butterflies. Check out one of these books to help you get started! 
Towel Day (Don't Panic!) - Humorous Science Fiction titles for Towel Day- May 25th 
"A towel, [The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy] says, is about the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can have." Towel Day is celebrated every year on May 25th as a tribute to the author Douglas Adams by his fans. On this day, fans openly carry a towel with them, as described in Adams' The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, to demonstrate their appreciation for the books and the author.
 
Activities for Kids and Families
Below are some featured activities and events, but we offer more! See the calendar on our website for everything we offer.
 
Mother's Day Activities
 
MOTHER'S DAY CARDS
Saturday, April 30 - Saturday, May 7 | During Open Hours | Ages 4-18 | Mason Square Branch
Mother's Day is Sunday, May 8th! Express your affection and admiration for that special woman in your life with a personalized card made by you! All supplies provided.
 
MOTHER'S DAY TEA & ROSES
Friday, May 6 | During Open Hours| All Ages | Brightwood Branch
Come join us at the library to celebrate Mother's Day. Make a card, write a poem, or create a paper flower to give to your mother. Refreshments will be provided.
May Fun for Kids & Families
 
PAINT & PLANT PARTY
Wednesday, May 4 | 5:30-6:30 PM | Ages 3+ |Central Library
Children's Room 
Come to the library to paint a pot and bring home a succulent. It makes a perfect decoration or gift! (Also, make sure to wear your painting clothes!) Registration is required as supplies are limited. Register here!
 
CINCO DE MAYO FUN
Thursday, May 5 | 1:00-5:00 PM | Children & Teens| Brightwood Branch  
Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of Mexican-American culture. Stop by the library to learn about Mexico, make some crafts, and break a piñata!
 
SPRING FLING
Thursday, May 19 | 4:00-6:00 PM | All Ages| Mason Square Branch
Stop by Mason Square and meet up with your neighbors! Music, food and fun for all ages, including arts and crafts for kids, and a bubble party in the Reading Garden! Rain or shine. All ages.
Programs and Crafts for Teens
Below are some featured activities and events, but we offer more! See the calendar on our website for everything we offer.
 
TEEN CHOICE DAY
Join us for YOUR choice in teen programming! We're inviting all 13-19 year-olds to suggest super fun activities they would like to see at the library. Talk with your local branch librarian or connect with us through polls, suggestion boxes and more.
We'll announce each library's selection on the first of the month.
Central Library
2nd Monday of each month, 4-5:30 pm
East Springfield Branch
2nd Wednesday of each month, 4-5:30 pm
Forest Park Branch
4th Tuesday of each month, 3-5 pm
Indian Orchard
3rd Wednesday of each month, 5-6 pm
Sixteen Acres Branch
1st Tuesday of each month, 4:30-6 pm
MAKE YOUR OWN FANTASTICAL FAIRY & GNOME GARDEN
Wednesday, May 4 | 5:00-7:00 PM | Ages 12-18| Indian Orchard Branch
Welcome Spring with your own Fantastical Fairy or Gnome Garden. Using natural and supplied figures create a magical space for a gnome or fairy. Supplies are limited, so preregistration is strongly encouraged. Pre-register here!
RAD BIKE REPAIR CLINIC
Wednesday, May 4 | 3:30-5:00 PM | Ages 11-18 |Forest Park Branch
Do you have a bike in the basement/garage that could use a little love? Hate spending all that money at a bike shop when you know you could probably do it yourself? Come to the Forest Park Library on May 4th to learn how to fix your bicycle or learn how to build your own! RADSpringfield bike experts will be on onsite to answer questions, take care of your repairs or to accept bike donations to be refurbished.
 
For More Teen Programs Click Here
Events for Adults
Watercolor Hydrangea Workshop
East Forest Park Branch
Saturday, May 14 | 1:00-2:30 PM | Adults | Register
Wednesday, May 25 | 6:00-7:30 PM | Adults | Register
Brighten up your Spring and find your inner Bob Ross with a vibrant hydrangea in this watercolor workshop! Our workshop is perfect for beginners and experienced artists alike. Join us for one of the sessions listed above. All materials will be provided. Space is limited and registration is required.
Write-Up Springfield Reads: A Poetry Reading and Open Mic
East Forest Park Branch
Saturday, May 14 | 1:00 - 3:00 PM | Adults
Members of Write-Up Springfield, the library's creative writing group, share their poetry and other creative fiction in this public reading of new works. An open mic will follow, and guests are welcomed to enjoy the reception and free raffle compliments of the Friends of the Library. Additional funding comes from the Massachusetts Cultural Council. 18+
Download & Stream Music FREE With Your Library Card!
Freegal Music Downloads Freegal offers access to about 15 million songs, including Sony Music's catalog of legendary artists, and over 40,000 music videos, as well as audiobooks. In total the collection is comprised of music from over 40,000 labels with music that originates in over 100 countries. There is no software to download, and there are no digital rights management (DRM) restrictions. Login with your library card number to stream or download songs. Springfield City Library cardholders are limited to 3 downloads per week. Access for Springfield City Library cardholders only. Quick Guide to Freegal
Connect With Us
For everything you want to know about the Library's services and events, visit our website, Facebook page, and Instagram!
 
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Stay tuned for what's up next for The Springfield City Library!