Springfield, MA – Today, Congressman Richard E. Neal joined Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, members of the Springfield City Library, members of the Springfield Library Commission, and local officials to announce $500,000 in federal funding for the East Springfield Branch Library. This allocation was made possible through Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Congressman Neal included funding for this project in the Fiscal Year 2026 spending bill.
“Whether it be a school, a place of worship, or a library, there are certain institutions in a community that people come to identify with. When it comes to the East Springfield Neighborhood City Library, it has been a cornerstone in the neighborhood for more than a century, which is why I am proud to have secured $500,000 in congressionally directed spending to support its renovation and expansion project,” said Congressman Richard E. Neal. “Our Founding Fathers entrusted the power of the purse to Congress because we know the needs of our communities. With the improvements that will take place at the East Springfield Library, we are ensuring this historic institution can continue to serve as a place for learning and opportunity for generations to come.”
Mayor Domenic J. Sarno states, “I am very thankful to Congressman Neal for securing this $500,000 earmark for the expansion of our East Springfield neighborhood branch library. We can always count on ‘Richie,’ Congressman Neal, to deliver for our City of Springfield. I would also like to thank our Springfield City Library Director Molly Fogarty, Program Director Jean Canosa Albano, Health & Human Services Commissioner Helen Caulton Harris, City Councilor Attorney Michael Fenton, East Springfield Neighborhood Council President Kathy Brown, our Chief Administrative and Financial Officer Cathy Buono, and our Capital Assets team with Pete Garvey and My-Ron Hatchet, as well as the Springfield Library Foundation with Matt Blumenfeld and Patrick Markey for their dedicated efforts to move this neighborhood project forward. My administration has worked very hard to not only keep libraries open in all our neighborhoods, but has also expanded hours and programming, and even built a new library in East Forest Park. This is a very proud day – our East Springfield Library branch has been providing successful and popular library services for our community since 1934 – and now we will move forward to enhance this neighborhood learning center so that it can serve our community for another 100 years.”
Renovation and expansion of the East Springfield Library Branch will significantly expand and modernize the nearly century-old public library, which serves more than 6,000 residents in the East Springfield neighborhood and more than 150,000 throughout the city. Improvements will include expanding children, young adult, and adult reading and programming rooms, adding quiet study rooms, upgrading all building systems, and modernizing technology. Once completed, the library will offer approximately 6,000 square feet of usable space, more than doubling its current footprint of 2,500 square feet, allowing the East Springfield Branch Library to serve residents and visitors more efficiently, effectively, and safely for decades to come.
“On behalf of the Springfield City Library, I want to thank Congressman Neal for securing $500,000 in federal funding for the new East Springfield Branch Library, for his continued support for the Springfield City Library, and for his advocacy on a local, state, and national level for Public Libraries,” said Springfield City Library Director Molly Fogarty. “This is a major milestone for the East Springfield Neighborhood and for the City of Springfield. In 1926, East Springfield residents, recognizing the importance of having access to books and information, worked to establish a deposit collection of the Springfield City Library in various locations in their neighborhood. As a result of neighborhood advocacy, public and private funds, the East Springfield Branch Library was built in 1932 and continues to play an important role for neighborhood residents. Now, one hundred years later, federal, state, city, and private funding will ensure that East Springfield residents are provided with equal access to information, technology, collections, programs, and services in a 21st-century library. This is a new Chapter for the East Springfield Branch Library and for current and future generations of families. This would not have been possible without the support and collaboration of East Springfield residents, the East Springfield Neighborhood Council, Mayor Sarno, the Springfield City Council, local and state officials, and library and city staff.”
“On behalf of our nineteen-member volunteer board, I want to express heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Congressman Neal for securing this vital, anchor funding, and we appreciate the diligence and professionalism of the Congressman’s staff in both Springfield and Washington, DC. We are fortunate to be served by such talented and dedicated people,” said Matt Blumenfeld, Executive Director of the Springfield Library Foundation. “Creating a new library branch is a challenge, but Springfield is fortunate to have an incredible team led by Mayor Sarno and supported by the City Council, as well as by State and Federal legislators like Congressman Neal,” explained Mr. Blumenfeld. “They all understand that our libraries are critical to building and maintaining strong and vibrant neighborhoods. They all put in the essential work, day in and day out, and we are grateful for their dedication. The Foundation is looking forward to bringing further resources to East Springfield. While we are just beginning our new campaign preparations, I can state with deep conviction that we are looking for volunteers and donors to help. For those interested in learning more – how to give and how to help – please contact us at the Library Foundation office at (413)263-6828, ext. 251 or mblumenfeld@springfieldlibrary.org.”
On behalf of the Springfield Library Commission, Stephen Cary said, “We are grateful for Congressman Neal’s steadfast efforts of financial support from the purse and power of Congress. The East Springfield neighborhood has loyally attended programs, discovered old and new books, gained access to the digital realm, and strengthened the neighborhood by using library services to its maximum potential. With Mayor Sarno’s increased attention and funding over the past several years, the entire Springfield City Library system has truly been elevated. Coupling a Dream Team with one of the city’s former Mayors and our existing Mayor, these improvements are exponential. A larger, 21st-century library will allow the neighborhood to meet unknown challenges in an unpredictable future with a connected community in East Springfield.”
Under guidelines issued by the Senate and House Appropriations Committees, members of Congress requested CDS funding for projects in their state for Fiscal Year 2026. CDS requests were restricted to a limited number of federal funding streams, and only state and local governments, and eligible non-profit entities, were permitted to receive CDS funding.
This project is one of fifteen CDS projects submitted by Congressman Neal, totaling over $14 million in investments throughout the First Congressional District of Massachusetts.
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