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Springfield Central Library
Springfield Central Library
At This first stop, you have 2 options:
At This first stop, you have 2 options:
- Enjoy the Springfield Museums before the Central Library
- Skip the Museums & go straight to the Library
Click "View larger map" to open Google Maps app on your cell phone
Central Library Hours:
Monday & Wednesday 12-8PMTuesday & Thursday 9AM-5PMFriday CLOSED Saturday 9AM-5PMSunday 12-5PM Central Library Hours:
How to get there:
How to get there:
Starting with the Springfield Museums
Park (for free!) in the two lots off of Edwards St. in downtown Springfield.
Getting to the Library from the museums:
The Library sits at the southeast end of the Dr. Seuss sculpture garden, behind the Smith Art Museum and next to Merrick Park. You can enter the Library from the Springfield Museum courtyard.
- OR -
- OR -
Skipping the Museums & Going Straight to the Library
Skipping the Museums & Going Straight to the Library
Park (for free!) in the lot directly across State St. from Central Library.
BE SAFE! Cross State St. at the intersection to your left (State St. & Chestnut / Maple St.)
check out these other seussian places!
check out these other seussian places!
The Dr. Seuss Sculpture Garden
FREE & open to the public!
Give this a listen before you head in to the library:
Give this a listen before you head in to the library:
Can you find Dr. Seuss here at the library?
Can you find Dr. Seuss here at the library?
Of course you can! It’s no quandary.
Of course you can! It’s no quandary.
Go around and have a look!
Go around and have a look!
He wrote many a book.
He wrote many a book.
In the Children's Section you may scout...
In the Children's Section you may scout...
A familiar face with a distinctive snout!
A familiar face with a distinctive snout!
Find your favorite and give it a read.
Find your favorite and give it a read.
Who knows? The one you pick may just plant a seed…
Who knows? The one you pick may just plant a seed…
Just like young Ted,
Just like young Ted,
Who never left a book unread!
Who never left a book unread!
The City Library shortly after opening.
View of the Library's rotunda.
Bust of Andrew Carnegie in the Central Library's Rotunda
History of the Springfield City Library
History of the Springfield City Library
1796 Documents show evidence of an early library in Springfield
1857 The City Library Association is formed; City Hall converts a room into a makeshift library
1863 The first library building goes up at State St. & Chestnut St.
1885 The city makes the library free for residents to access
1892 Fundraising starts for a new, bigger library
1909 Construction begins on Springfield’s first public library building
1912 The City Library opens to the public
1974 The City Library is placed on the National register of Historic Places as part of the Quadrangle-Mattoon Street Historic District
Read more about the Library's history here.
Theodor Geisel signs books for visitors to the Los Angeles Library, ca. 1971
Need a Library Card?
Need a Library Card?
Follow the link below, select the branch in your neighborhood & the form will open.
All you need is your basic information (name, home address, date of birth, phone number, and email)
Once the form is submitted, the library staff will review it and contact you to complete the process.
Then you can pick up your card at the branch nearest you!
If you have any questions or issues, ask one of the amazing members of the library staff and they will assist you!
If you can’t make it into the Central Library - no problem!
If you can’t make it into the Central Library - no problem!
There are 9 branches of the Springfield City Library. So no matter where you live, there’s a branch near you just waiting to be explored!
IMAGES (in order of appearance)
Springfield Central Library, 2024. Photos by author.
"Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum," Springfield Museums online. Accessed Jan. 24, 2024. https://springfieldmuseums.org/about/dr-seuss-museum/
Photos by author. October 2020.
Dr. Seuss, Cat in the Hat, 1957. Front matter illustration, photo by author.
ayoub.reem, "Dr. Seuss," flickr. CC BY 2.0 DEED. https://www.flickr.com/photos/127030227@N02/15220669536
"Springfield Public Library, Springfield, Mass," Lost New England. Article by Derek Strahan. June 3, 2014. Accessed Jan. 12, 2024. https://lostnewengland.com/tag/springfield-public-library/
"History of the Library," Springfield City Library. Accessed Jan. 12, 2024. https://www.springfieldlibrary.org/library/about/history-of-the-library/
Bust of Andrew Carnegie, Springfield Central Library Rotunda. Photo by author. March 9, 2024.
"Dr. Seuss [Theodor Geisel] signing books ... at the L.A. Library Association's Tribute Luncheon." Wikimedia Commons. Accessed Jan. 12, 2024.
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