Plan Ahead for These Holidays!
The library will be closed on the following days. Please plan ahead for books, movies, and music to enjoy!
Celebrate National Library Week
National Library Week
All Library Locations
April 23 - 29 | Open Hours | All Ages
Celebrate National Library Week with us by stopping by any of your local branches during open hours for crafts, scavenger hunts and more.
April Book Lists
Wild Foraging and Plant Medicine: It's Spring - time to learn about gathering all of nature's bounty for health and wellness!
For titles like these and more click here
Wild Foraging and Plant Medicine: It's Spring - time to learn about gathering all of nature's bounty for health and wellness!
For titles like these and more click here
Wildlife on Wheels
Meet animal ambassadors from the Forest Park Zoo and learn how they live! Youth of all ages and their families are welcome.
Brightwood Branch – Community Room
Friday, April 7 | 10:00 AM – 11:15 AM | Children & Families
Central Library – Children’s Room
Wednesday, April 19 | 2:00 PM – 2:45 PM | Children & Families
East Springfield Branch
Wednesday, April 26 | 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Children & Families
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.
REPTILE SHOW OF NEW ENGLAND
East Forest Park Branch
Saturday, April 22 | 1:00-2:00 PM | All Ages
The Reptile Show of New England presents a look into the exotic lives of reptiles. This meet-and-greet live reptile show with professional herpetologist, Alex Hartley, will feature over 15 reptiles species from around the world, including: Iguanas, Boa constrictors, Pythons, and more.
Audiences will have an opportunity to touch and interact with these reptiles. Bring your camera for this free event open to everyone! This hands-on show is one you will always remember.
SPRING FLING
East Springfield Branch
Wednesday, April 19 | 4:00 – 7:00 PM | All Ages
Join us at the ES Branch Library to kick off these winter blues for an evening of music, food and family friendly fun. A local DJ will play your favorites so please send in your requests in advanced if you’d like your song played!
PLANT A VEGGIE GARDEN
Forest Park Branch
Wednesday, April 5 | 4:00 – 5:00 PM | Children
Brightwood Branch
Wednesday, April 12 | 3:30 – 4:30 PM | Children
Mason Square Branch
Thursday, April 20 | 4:00 – 5:00 PM | Children
Get your garden growing! Kids can pick from a variety of veggies and start their seeds with provided supplies. Take them home and watch them grow! When they’re ready, you can replant them outside or in bigger pots and look forward to your first harvest!
FOR A FULL LIST OF EVENTS & ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN
Events for Teens
MARIO KART TOURNAMENT
Central Library
Saturday, April 15 | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Ages 12-19
Come to the teen room and show off your Mario Kart skills as players face off. Winners move up to play each other. Top players will win prizes, but free snacks will be provided for everyone!
NINTENDO GAME NIGHT
Brightwood Branch
Tuesday, April 18 | 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM | Children & Teens
Finding yourself with nothing to do during April vacation? Come into the Brightwood Branch Library for a Nintendo Switch game night! Hang out with all of your friends and play one of many different games on the library Switch…or bring your own! Drinks and snacks will be provided.
SHARPIE T SHIRTS: START SPRING IN STYLE
Indian Orchard Branch
Wednesday, April 19 | 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Ages 12-18 | Register
Start Spring in style with a beautiful tee shirt using sharpies and rubbing alcohol. Bring your own or we will provide a shirt. Preregistration is required, space is limited. Please call 413-263-6846 to preregister, or register at the link above. Please let us know your t shirt size.
POM POM CRITTERS
East Springfield Branch
Saturday, April 22 | 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM | Ages 12-18
Join us in making your own pom pom critters using a pom pom maker tool and some felt! Choose which animal you’d like to make with the supplies provided!
FOOD FEAR FACTOR
Central Library
Monday, April 24 | 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Ages 12-19 | Register
Are you adventurous when it comes to food? We’ll have interesting foods to try, and every teen who tries every food will win a small prize.
FOR A FULL LIST OF EVENTS & ACTIVITIES FOR TEENS CLICK HERE
Events for Adults
East Forest Park Branch
Saturday, April 16 | 2:00 PM – 2:45 PM | Adults
Library Dances is a 40-minute presentation of short contemporary dance works that include a dance poem, a dance essay, and the chapter of a dance novel. During the performances, Maureen Shea will present solo works, while dancers from Springfield College’s dance department will present Shea’s choreography, Fleur de peau.
All are welcome to these free performances. Library Dances is funded in part by the Local Cultural Councils of Hadley, South Hadley, and Springfield, local agencies funded by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
Central Library – Computer Lab
Tuesday, April 25 | 1:30-2:30 PM | Adults | Register
Looking for a simple way to save your resume, backup your phone, or collaborate with people online? Google Drive is an easy-to-use, free option for online storage. Class includes a tour, tips to help you stay organized, and detailed instructions on how to share your files so you can collaborate with friends, family, and coworkers – whoever, wherever.
This class is recommended for people who have a Google account, but have never used Drive or want to level up their skills.
AIR FRYER RECIPES
Mason Square Branch
Thursday, April 13 | 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Teens & Adults | Register
Do you have an air fryer?! Have you heard of one but do not know where to start?! Stop by the Mason Square Library for a class on how to use an air fryer and learn some beginner recipes to get you started. Register at the link above.
ADULT CRAFT – PAPER FLOWER WREATH
East Springfield Branch
Saturday, April 8 | 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM | Ages 18+
Sixteen Acres Branch
Saturday, April 15 | 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM | Ages 18+
Make your own paper flowers and use them to decorate a wreath.
FOR A FULL LIST OF EVENTS & ACTIVITIES FOR ADULTS CLICK HERE
James Baldwin Photo Exhibit
James Baldwin Photo Exhibit - The painting is BACK after a hiatus while it was being framed - and people are still coming to see the exhibit - so we're extending it AGAIN! Come to the Central Library to see the amazing painting by Ayana Pierre-Maxwell and the incredible and intimate photos by local photographer and icon Ed Cohen.
Ayana's Artist Statement:
My name is Ayana Irene Pierre-Maxwell, I am currently a freshman at the University of Miami. I have always loved art in all forms, but my admiration of portraiture began around 7th grade. I quickly became obsessed with portraying my friends, family, and celebrities on paper, as accurately as possible.
Today, I am eager to capture those who view my work for a moment. I hope that when people view my art they are able to separate themselves from their world and enter mine. Through style, composition, and expression, I hope to replicate my perception of the world and people around me. Most of all, I hope my work can evoke an emotion in those who view it, whether it be the feeling I had as I took the photo, or their own unique experience.
While I did not take the photo of the painting displayed this afternoon, I am honored and delighted to have painted this image of the inspirational James Baldwin.
