While, in many ways, its mission remains very much unchanged, what does not change much, but improves through the years, is its resources and services to the community.

The Library’s focus has moved from one of custody of books for the enlightened to promotion of literacy for the many.  The Holyoke Public Library fosters a culture of reading and thought by serving Holyoke residents’ needs for information, lifelong learning and leisure pursuits.  The Library helps preschoolers get ready to learn to read; strengthens reading skills of school- age children; complements all aspects of children’s school activities; and connects children-- and adults--with computers and the information superhighway.

We provide free library cards, programs and services; lend books geared towards the needs and interests of our residents; have special materials like books-on-tapes, Spanish books, language tapes, reference databases, a wide selection of DVDs, compact discs, daily newspapers and magazines, museum passes; reproducible Federal and State tax forms, microfilm reader/printer, photocopy and fax machines. Our reference service helps library users with assignments, research, reference and referrals, Holyoke history, genealogy, library instructions--to teach the use of  library’s sources, tour of the library--etc.

We provide children’s programming such as pre-school story-time, films, Summer Reading Program, and much more; Interlibrary loan service for materials not found in the library; monthly new books list and more.

The Library is handicap accessible; has a community meeting room available to civic, educational, and cultural groups. Our special collections include the Local History Room--which houses an extensive collection of materials on early Holyoke; microfilms of Holyoke Transcript, Holyoke Telegram, the Holyoke Transcript-Telegram (from 1884 to 1993); Springfield Union-News (since 1993).

Please visit our Official Website for much more information.

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