SPRINGFIELD CITY LIBRARY
WHAT'S NEW AT THE LIBRARY? - OCTOBER 2021
In this Issue
Fall Is Here!
Featured Events
Book Lists and Recommendations
Storytimes and Playgroups for Little Ones
Activities for Kids and Families
Programs for Teens
Events for Adults
The Mouse Came To The Library!
Connect With Us
Fall Is Here!
Autumn has arrived - the temperatures are cooling, and the leaves are turning those amazing New England colors. Be sure to join us for our Family Fall Fest events, as well as our Halloween Party, where you can dance to a local DJ spinning family-friendly tunes!
 
And don't forget to head to the library for a cozy read, or a movie to watch under a blanket. We now have Binge Boxes - several movies in one checkout to create themed movie marathons!
 
Featured Events
Robert Meeropol Speaks on Justice for Ethel Rosenberg: A Zoom Presentation
Monday, October 25, 2021 | 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
 
Join us for an informative program via Zoom examining the controversial 1953 trial and execution of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg.
Our featured guest will be Attorney Robert Meeropol, the younger son of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg. Robert and his brother Michael are demanding an official exoneration of their mother Ethel for espionage. They claim their mother was not a spy and her trial was a perversion of justice.
Attorney Meeropol strongly suggests that those interested in this program read Anne Sebba’s book Ethel Rosenberg: An American Tragedy.
 
Please visit our website for the Zoom link in the coming weeks. 
Family Fall Fests
Mason Square Branch
Wednesday, October 6 | 3:30-5 pm | All Ages
 
Forest Park Branch
Thursday, October 14 | 3-5:30 pm | All Ages
 
Stop by and catch up with old friends. Play a game, treat yourself to pie and kettle corn, make a Fall-inspired craft, or join an outdoor scavenger hunt! Guess the pumpkin’s weight, and get a chance to take it home to add to your fall decor! For families of all ages.
In case of rain, event will take place indoors.
Family Halloween Party with Live DJ!
Saturday, October 30, 2021 from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
 
Join Central Library Children's Librarians on the Museum Quad for a LIVE DJ, trick-or-treat, a teen costume contest, and a photo booth! DJ Ant Dowe will be spinning family-friendly tunes for you to get your dance on, while you show off your costumes and join the Halloween fun!
Out/Spoken Words: Workshop with Springfield’s Poet Laureate
 
Join this master class with Springfield’s Poet Laureate, Magdalena Gómez, for an introduction to writing and performing poetry in ways that invite/excite/inspire!
 
Out/Spoken Words is for participants at ALL levels in their poetry writing and performance. This is a Master Class for anyone who truly loves poetry and/or spoken word and wants to share that passion with others.
Participants will be provided with tools and encouragement to conjure poems and voice for performance of their original writing. 
Space is very limited in each of the cohorts with pre-registration required. Fill out the application form here.
 
For more information and cohort dates, please visit our website.
Book Lists and Recommendations
Librarians have created curated topic lists that you can click through to place a hold directly in the catalog! If you have suggestions for a list, please let us know at our Ask A Librarian page or just reply to this newsletter. You can also get personalized suggestions from our Your Next Great Story service. See previous lists here!
 
Vegetarian Month - Are you curious about becoming a vegetarian? What is a vegetarian or vegan anyway? Want to expand your cooking skills or become more familiar with different foods? Are you looking for healthy food choices? Check out these titles, and more, to help yourself and the planet!
 
Get Organized! - Use the library's free resources to up your organizational game in your home, work, and life.
 
Delicious Teen Reads -Teen fiction featuring food!
 
Books for Black Poetry Day - We celebrate Black poets, past and present. Black Poetry Day was established in honor of Jupiter Hammon, the first published Black poet in the nation, who was born October 17th, 1711.
 
Horror Reads for Teens - Creepy books that'll get your heart pumping!
 
Storytimes and Playgroups for Little Ones
Dino-ROAR Storytime
Tuesday Oct 12, 2021 from 1:00 PM  -  2:00 PM
ROAR!!!! Dinosaurs may be fierce, but they love stories! Come enjoy some of our FAVORITE dinosaur stories, songs, and activities, as well as a dino-themed craft in the Central Library Children's Room. Dino-ROAR Storytime is structured for children 3-5 years old.
Circle Time Fun
Sixteen Acres Branch – Outside – Thursdays | 10:30-11 AM | Ages 0-5
October 7, 14, 21, 28
Join us for songs, rhymes and a story or two. Circle time is a fun experience for your child and also a great way to be ready for preschool and kindergarten. We'll stay safe by meeting outdoors and encouraging social distancing. Families are welcome to bring their own blankets and sunscreen.
(In event of rain, program will be canceled.)
Hora De Cuentos (Spanish Storytime)
Forest Park Branch - Tuesdays | 10-11 AM | Ages 1-5
Vengan y participen todos los martes en una hora de cuentos en español: cuentos, cancioncitas, rimas, y actividades manuales. Compartan con amiguitos y refrescos. Edades 1-5, familias bienvenidas.
 
Come and join us every Tuesday for a story time in Spanish: stories, songs, rhymes, and crafts. Make new friends and enjoy snacks. Ages 1-5, families welcome.
 
For a full list of storytimes and playgroups, including Home City Families, visit our website.
 
Activities for Kids and Families
Below are some featured activities and events, but we offer many more! See our calendar on our website for everything we offer.
 
Art Explorers
Central Library Children's Room
Mondays, October 18, 25, November 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
5-6 p.m. 
Get messy and make some art! Artists will explore different materials and styles, learn some art history, and most importantly get their hands dirty and have fun! For art lovers 8-14, no art experience required.
 
Registration is required, but participants are welcome to sign up for as many or as few sessions as desired.
Click the link to see our calendar to register for sessions.
Magical Moments with Ed Popielarczyk
East Forest Park Branch
Wednesday, October 13 | 4-5 pm - NEW DATE
 
Libraries are magical! Celebrate National Library Card Month with this special outdoor performance with local magician, Ed Popielarczyk. Come join the fun! All ages.
Programs for Teens
Below are some featured activities and events, but we offer many more! See our calendar on our website for everything we offer.
 
Saturday Morning Rewind
Central Library Teen Room
Saturday Oct 16, 2021 from 12:00 PM  -  1:30 PM
Be a kid again for a Saturday "morning" as we watch cartoons, color pictures, and play with Lego and play-dough. There'll be a selection of cereal and other breakfast favorites to snack on. Pajamas are optional. Teens 13-19 welcome.
Teen Tuesdays
Sixteen Acres Branch
Tuesdays from 2 - 7 p.m.
If you are looking for a welcoming place to be after school, look no further.  Get inspired by a wide array of art and writing materials or play one of our many board games.  Enjoy the company of others or grab a quiet space for some precious alone time. Ages 12-18.
Not Your Ordinary Coloring Club for Teens
Indian Orchard Branch
Fridays from 1 - 5 p.m. 
School getting you stressed? Join our Not Your Ordinary Coloring Club. We supply the artist-quality crayons, pencils and pens and coloring pages, to spark your creativity. Just drop by and color your stress away.  Ages 12-18.
Events for Adults
Below are some featured activities and events, but we offer many more! See our calendar on our website for everything we offer.
 
Crafters' Yarn Swap
Mason Square Branch
Saturday Oct 30, 2021 from 9 - 11 a.m.
Clean out your stash and swap it for something new; just in time for cold-weather knitting and crocheting. We'll swap out needles and hooks too! Preview, refreshments and raffle drawing 9 a.m. -10a.m., swap from 10 a.m.-11 a.m.
All yarn left after the swap will go to our Knot Just Knitters programs throughout the library system. Please drop off yarn and needles you'd like to swap at Mason Square Library between October 6-29 during open hours; include your name and contact information. Don't want to swap but want to get rid of your yarn? We'll happily take donations.
 Gun Violence and Art Therapy
ONLINE
Tuesday Oct 26, 2021 from 6:30 - 7:45 p.m.
Springfield College professor and freelance visual artist Simone Alter-Muri presents on gun violence and how art therapy can aid healing. 2020 was the deadliest gun violence year in decades (Washington Post, June 14, 2021). Hear how art therapy can promote healing in both individuals and in the community, and meet other local community members concerned about gun violence.  A question and answer will follow the presentation. For adults 18+. Click for Zoom link for event. 
Gun Violence and Art Therapy is sponsored jointly by the Springfield City Library, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, and in part by a grant from the Springfield Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.
The Mouse Came To The Library!
We had such a great time when our friend, Mouse, visited our library branches!
 
So many children got signed up for library cards and enjoyed getting their photos taken. 
 
Stay up-to-date with upcoming programs by reading our monthly newsletter and visiting our website!
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!