Research & Learn

Provides music players world-class instruction from Grammy Award-winning music professionals.

Learn a new hobby or improve your skills with on-demand videos and classes on 22 different crafting topics.

Stream or download 15 million songs

Current, comprehensive and reliable online literature database offering the broadest and most representative range of authors and their works including a deep collection of full-text critical and literary analysis.

AtoZ is a phone directory for the modern world. Look up business and consumer profiles to build mailing lists and get sales leads, or search real-time job listings.

Free information and on-demand training for grantseekers. Learn to use the Foundation Directory Online!

Foundation Directory compiles information about grantmaking public charities and corporate givers.

Foundation Grants to Individuals collects information about grants for students, artists, researchers, and other individuals.

GuideStar helps grantmakers and donors connect with nonprofit organizations. Claiming and improving your profile can help make a good impression when you're seeking funding!

Ancestry Library Edition is one of the most important genealogical collections available today.

FamilySearch.org is a free website that offers numerous genealogy records and information on genealogical research.

Provides access to military records, including the stories, photos, and personal documents of the men and women who served.

Explore your family history with the premier collection of U.S. obituaries and death notices for in-depth genealogical research from 1704 – today.

Combines digital, searchable images of U.S. federal census records with the digitized version of the popular ProQuest Genealogy & Local History collection.

Free live homework help for students and learners of all ages. Includes citizenship test prep.

Gain access to complete curricula for students in Pre K through 5th Grade. Includes monthly and weekly learning plans and worksheets.

Fiero Code is a self-paced learn-to-code software for kids ages 8-18.

Khan Academy offers instructional videos about math, science, computer programming, history, art history, economics, and more.

Practice tests for the GED, SAT and AP, ASVAB, Civil Service, TOEFL, and many others in the privacy of your home.

Free practice exams for the written road test.

Provides study materials for over 1,500 different exams. Includes study guides, flash cards, and practice exams.

An engaging online experience for those seeking contextual information and opinions on hundreds of today’s hottest social issues.

This easy-to-use database introduces children ages 3-9 to online research, with spoken content for children who are learning to read. A great resource for homework help!

Access to test prep materials for over 185 exams, with college and scholarship searches.

Read primary source documents about the opposition African Americans have faced on the road to freedom.

Comprehensive coverage of issues that influence women's lives around the world.

This collection explores cultural differences, contributions and influences in the global community and includes more than 2.7 million articles from 150 journals, updated daily.

Ethnic Diversity Source is a dedicated resource covering the culture, traditions, social treatment and lived experiences of different ethnic groups in America.

Access literary works and authors throughout history, including full-text poems, plays, short stories, speeches, and more.

Offers international viewpoints on a broad spectrum of global issues, topics, and current events.

Learn a new language with this online tool for learning over 60 languages, including 17 ESL courses. Mobile app available.

Transparent Language offers courses in over over 120 languages! This resource also includes ESL courses and many language courses for non-English speakers.

An engaging online experience for those seeking contextual information on hundreds of the most significant people, events and topics in U.S. History.

An engaging online experience for those seeking contextual information on hundreds of the most significant people, events and topics in World History.

The Hampden County Law Library provides free legal reference services and legal research assistance to all: the public, the legal community, and the courts.

Research in case law, government regulations, the practice of law, statutes, taxation and international law.

Easy-to-use, customizable legal forms in dozens of areas, addressing basic legal matters such as incorporation, real estate, bills of sale, and many more.

This policy describes guidelines for use of the 3D printer, available for public use in the Makerspace at the East Forest Park branch library.

This policy describes appropriate behavior within the library to ensure the safety and comfort of visitors, volunteeers, and staff.

This policy outlines how the selection, organization, and maintenance of library materials, including electronic resources, support that mission, and guides library staff in successfully carrying out collection work.

This policy describes guidelines for access to the internet at the Springfield City Library.

The Springfield City Library is a congressionally designated depository for U.S. Government documents. Visit this libguide for the Federal Depository Library Program to learn more.

This policy describes guidelines that will be followed to ensure gifts to the library are appropriate to its mission.

This policy describes guidelines for using the Makerspace at the East Forest Park branch library.

This policy describes rules for use of the meeting rooms at relevant library branches.

This policy describes the procedure for naming library facilities.

This policy describes guidlines for use of the display spaces of the library.

This policy describes the rules for the posting of flyers and other materials on library bulletin boards and distribution areas.

This policy describes the extent of borrowing privileges to residents of the Commonwealth.

This policy describes guidelines for library staff to support the Springfield Public Schoos attendance policy.

This policy describes how the library will protect the personal privacy of its users.

This policy describes rules and guidelines for library-sponsored programs and events.

This policy describes the responsibility of parents and caregivers to ensure the safe and appropriate behavior of children in the library.

This policy describes guidelines for library staff to manage the library's social media accounts.

Excel Adult High School is an accredited, self-paced high school completion program. It's available for free to eligible adults through the library.

Offers detailed "how-to" instructions and creative ideas to meet the interests of virtually every hobby.

The Home Improvement Reference Center provides do-it-yourselfers with detailed, user-friendly “how-to” information covering a variety of home improvement and repair projects.

Khan Academy offers instructional videos about math, science, computer programming, history, art history, economics, and more.

Practice tests for the GED, SAT and AP, ASVAB, Civil Service, TOEFL, and many others in the privacy of your home.

Provides study materials for over 1,500 different exams. Includes study guides, flash cards, and practice exams.

Peterson's Career Prep includes job searching and resume editing software, advice on job seeking and workforce skills.

Access to test prep materials for over 185 exams, with college and scholarship searches.

Online classes in career & computer training, crafts & hobbies, health & nutrition, business & finance, writing, and math.

ProQuest Digital Sanborn® Maps (1867-1970) includes detailed property records, city directories, photographs, small-scale maps, census records, genealogies, and statistical data about Massachusetts cities and towns.

Full-text coverage of the Boston Globe newspaper, archived from 1980 to present.

Read expert reviews of consumer products and compare prices to make an informed decision.

MassLive provides a searchable index to the Springfield newspapers. The library does not have online access to the archive - visit the Central Library to view articles on microfilm.

In the library building, visit the New York Times website to get free access to as many articles as you want to read. Requires login with a free account.

NYT All Access includes News, Cooking, Games, the Athletic, and Wirecutter. Visit our special link to get 24 hours of access anywhere.

This digital archive covers 1988-present. Numerous Western Massachusetts newspapers are included, including the Amherst Bulletin, the Berkshire Eagle, and the Valley Advocate.

This digital archive covers January 1, 2019 and forward, with no delays. It is fully searchable, and you can print, email, or download results.

Browse various genres, read reviews, search for read-alikes, and explore themed book lists.

Need some ideas on what to read? NoveList will help! Search by genre, title, or author to find similar books. Browse books by subject and read reviews, and descriptions.

Quickly access articles from a database of scholarly journals and other trusted periodicals. Best for academic research.

Thousands of online full-text biographies from Gale reference books.

Comprehensive reference suite with an encyclopedia, dictionary, thesaurus, and more. For students, professionals, and lifelong learners.

Get the detailed information you need to tackle vehicle maintenance and repairs.

Nearly 3 million articles on all aspects of the communications field, including advertising, public relations, linguistics, and literature.

PowerSearch allows you to search dozens of Gale databases at once. Topics include agriculture, economics, history, nursing, pop culture, and many more. 

Scholarly journals and magazines covering topics including gender studies, family and marital issues, and more.

Health and Medicine is the perfect resource for up-to-date information on a complete range of health care topics

Provides instant access to carefully compiled and trusted medical reference materials.

Provides access to all Kovels.com articles, identification guides, histories, prices, marks, and how-to guides on buying and selling antiques and collectibles.

Produced by the National Library of Medicine, the world’s largest medical library, MedlinePlus brings you information about diseases, conditions, and wellness issues in language that is easy to understand.

Access to the full-text of Merriam-Webster’s flagship dictionary, plus the Collegiate Dictionary, Collegiate Thesaurus, and Merriam-Webster Atlas.

Nursing and Allied Health covers all aspects of the profession, from patient care to administration.

Pop Culture Studies offers useful information for researchers in social science, history, art or liberal arts courses.

Search for company information by name, location, sales volume, size, or line of business, and other criteria. Includes a residential database with reverse phone number lookup.

The ProQuest Science Database supports the needs of students studying applied and general sciences, with access to all the charts, diagrams, and other vital elements.

Learn a new hobby or improve your skills with on-demand videos and classes on 22 different crafting topics.

Borrow movies, music, audiobooks, ebooks, comics and TV shows to enjoy on your computer, tablet, or phone - and even your TV!

Kanopy is a video streaming service featuring over 30,000 films

Read comics for free online! The full library includes everything Comics Plus has to offer.

Read comics for free online! The children's library includes age-guided content, aimed at kids and tweens.

Read comics for free online! The teen library includes comics recommended for high school students.

Borrow movies, music, audiobooks, ebooks, comics and TV shows to enjoy on your computer, tablet, or phone - and even your TV!

Borrow ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines to read on your phone or tablet using the Libby app by OverDrive.

Read thousands of books about information technology & software, business, digital media, professional & personal development.