Mayor Sarno states, “My administration is proud to continue to support our beautiful neighborhood library system. I am extremely proud of the fact that even during these surreal and challenging times, while other communities have consolidated their local libraries, my administration has not only kept our neighborhood library sites open but we have expanded their hours of operations, programs offered and even built a brand-new state-of-the-art East Forest Park Library Branch for our residents. This could not have been accomplished with the great efforts from our Springfield Library Foundation and all of our sponsors and benefactors. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to all who continue to support our beautiful Springfield Public Libraries.”
“We are fortunate to have the Foundation in our corner, and their support is instrumental in providing our residents with a world class library system. I know that the Foundation continues to seek donations and pledges for the Promise Realized Campaign, and I would encourage everyone who is capable, to continue to give as generously as they can.”
Construction on the 17,000 square foot building on Surrey Road was completed in November 2019 and the facility opened with tremendous praise and fanfare from the community in December.
The East Forest Park Library branch offers a Family and Children’s Room, dedicated Teen area, a Maker Space, a large community meeting room, quiet study rooms, dozens of computer stations, book and media collections, an outdoor patio and reading garden, and ample parking. It is completely accessible and also connected to the nearby Mary A. Dryden Veterans Memorial School via a special path for children.
Individuals, businesses and others interested in contributing may contact the Foundation, at promiserealizedcampaign@gmail.com or MBlumenfeld@springfieldlibrary.org for further information.
About the Springfield Library Foundation
The Springfield Library Foundation was formed in 2005 and is incorporated as a 501(c)(3) tax exempt, not-for-profit corporation organized and operated exclusively for the benefit of the Springfield City Library. The Foundation has two primary purposes:
- To responsibly steward and manage endowed and other funds entrusted to the Foundation’s care by donors going back more than a century.
- To encourage philanthropy and raise new funds, both restricted and unrestricted, in support of the Library’s programs, materials, services, and facilities.
Fulfilling these two purposes enriches the lives of every library patron, and ensures that Springfield’s library system remains vibrant and responsive to community needs. To learn more, visit http://www.springfieldlibrary.org/library/about/promise-realized/.