{{Short description|Public library system in Springfield, Massachusetts}} {{Use American English|date=September 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}} {{Infobox library | logo = | logo_size = 100 | image = Springfield City Library, Central Branch.jpg | name = Springfield City Library | country = United States | type = Public | established = 1885 | architect = Edward Lippincott Tilton | location = Springfield, Massachusetts | num_branches = 10 | annual_circulation = 390,965 | pop_served = 154,789 | budget = $6,381,951 | director = Molly Fogarty | num_employees = 168 | website = {{URL|https://www.springfieldlibrary.org/library/}} }}
The '''Springfield City Library''' is a public library system in Springfield, Massachusetts. The system includes ten branches across the city, with the Central branch located at 220 State Street, next to Merrick Park.
== History == In 1857, the City Library Association was formed in Springfield in response to the 1851 Massachusetts Public Library Law, which authorized cities and towns to establish and maintain public libraries, as well as an 1855 petition by residents requesting funding for a library.<ref name="HL" /> Prior to this, the Springfield Library Company ran a private library, which had been founded as early as 1796 and contained over 300 volumes.<ref name="HL" /> The City Library Association provided a room in City Hall to be used as a library, although it was still privately funded until 1885, when a city appropriation removed all fees. Private donations and gifts totaling $100,000 allowed for the creation of a Gothic-style building, located on the corner of State Street and Chestnut Street. The land was donated by George Bliss, the former Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives and President of the Massachusetts Senate.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Strahan |first=Derek |date=June 3, 2014 |title=Springfield Public Library, Springfield Mass. |url=https://lostnewengland.com/tag/springfield-public-library/ |access-date=August 24, 2023 |website=Lost New England}}</ref><ref name="HL" /> The Rev. Dr.William Rice served as President and Director of the Springfield City Library Association from 1861 to his death in 1897. Rice is described as the "master hand" behind all facets of the development of the library during this time.<ref name="HL">{{Cite web |title=History of the Library |url=https://www.springfieldlibrary.org/library/about/history-of-the-library/ |access-date=January 12, 2025 |website=Springfield Public Library}}</ref>
By 1892, the Library had outgrown the building, and plans began to construct a new library building. In order to provide continuous library service to Springfield residents during the construction, Charles R. Trask was hired to move the original building 200 feet to make space for the new building. This task was completed over three weeks, using twelve steel rollers and a team of twelve men, moving the building an average of ten feet per day.<ref name="HL" /> The city allocated $18,498 for the construction of the new building, and in 1905, Andrew Carnegie donated $260,000 to the City Library Association to assist with the Central Library construction, as well as three additional branches.<ref name="SL">{{Cite web |title=Springfield Library |url=https://www.necarnegies.com/maspringfieldcent.htm |access-date=August 24, 2023 |website=New England Carnegies}}</ref><ref name="HL" /> These included the Springfield Indian Orchard Branch, designed by John Donahue in a Georgian Revival style and opened in 1909, as well as the Forest Park Library, frequently visited by Theodor S. Geisel as child, and the Springfield Memorial Square branch, now used as a Greek cultural center.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Forest Park Library |url=https://seussinspringfield.org/who-dr-seuss/forest-park-library/ |access-date=August 24, 2023 |website=Seuss in Springfield}}</ref><ref name="IO">{{Cite web |title=Indian Orchard Branch, Springfield Library |url=https://www.necarnegies.com/maspringfieldio.htm |access-date=August 24, 2023 |website=New England Carnegies}}</ref> With an additional $155,000 contributed by Springfield residents, construction on the Central Library began in April 1910 for a Renaissance Revival style building designed by Edward Lippincott Tilton.<ref name="HL" /><ref name="SL" /> A trestle designed by city librarian Hiller C. Wellman was used to transport books from the old building to the new one, and the branch officially opened on January 10, 1912.<ref name="SL" /><ref name="HL" /> The library claims to be one of the first to feature open shelving, and to circulate phonograph records.<ref name="HL" />
In 1974, the Central Library was put on the National Register of Historic Places. The Indian Orchard Branch was added to the Register in 1999.<ref name="SC">{{Cite web |last=Tuthill |first=Paul |date=October 9, 2019 |title=Springfield Central Library Renovations Completed |url=https://www.wamc.org/new-england-news/2019-10-09/springfield-central-library-renovations-completed |access-date=August 24, 2023 |website=WAMC Northeast Public Radio}}</ref><ref name="SL" /><ref name="IO" /> Major renovations at the Central Library were completed in 2019 to improve accessibility, replace the gutter system, and install an outdoor plaza.<ref name="SC" />
In 2005, the Springfield Library Foundation was formed and incorporated as a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation, helping to support the purchase of books and materials, facility improvements, and staff development initiatives.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Springfield Library Foundation |url=https://www.springfieldlibrary.org/library/about/the-springfield-library-foundation/ |access-date=August 24, 2023 |website=Springfield City Library}}</ref>
City library employees, who are unionized, picketed the Central Library in July, 2023 to protest inaction in construction of a crosswalk on State Street, where the Central branch is located. The pickets were a response to the death of librarian Gayle Ball, who was struck and killed by a driver while crossing the street to the employee parking lot.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Foster |first=James |date=July 23, 2023 |title=Springfield librarians picket for State Street crosswalk |url=https://www.masslive.com/news/2023/07/springfield-librarians-picket-for-state-street-crosswalk.html |access-date=August 24, 2023 |website=MassLive}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Shook |first=Ashley |date=July 21, 2023 |title=Springfield officials call for action on State Street safety |url=https://www.wwlp.com/news/local-news/hampden-county/springfield-officials-call-for-action-on-state-street-safety/ |access-date=August 24, 2023 |website=WWLP 22 News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Patrick |date=November 12, 2021 |title=Springfield City Library employee Gayle Ball killed by car while crossing State Street |url=https://www.masslive.com/news/2021/11/springfield-city-library-employee-gayle-ball-killed-by-car-while-crossing-state-street.html |access-date=August 24, 2023 |website=MassLive}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
Category:Libraries in Hampden County, Massachusetts Category:Public libraries in Massachusetts Category:Organizations based in Springfield, Massachusetts Category:1857 establishments in Massachusetts