The Springfield Free Public Library works to meet the needs of the community. The library is open 57 hours a week, including 3 evenings and Saturdays. The library is open from 10 to 1 on Saturdays in July and August and closed on Sundays from June to September. The library is also open Sundays October through May from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.

In 2008, almost 112,000 people visited the Springfield Free Public Library. That means that every resident in Springfield could have visited the library at least eight times. They also could have asked one reference question, read nine books and used the computer 2.3 times during the year. With the costs of buying books steadily increasing, the library offers an inexpensive alternative to shopping at the local bookstore. Nine books could cost a resident more than $250, while the amount paid in tax support to keep the library running is far less per year.

The Township allocation to the library of $1,004,000 was less than 4% of the township budget. For the $1,004,000 the library was able to provide almost $5 million worth of services. The cost per resident for library services in 2008 was approximately $69.00. This is equivalent to less than 3 new adult hardcover books.

The library owns more than 83,000 volumes which amounts to more than 5 books per every resident. In addition, the library owns more than 10,000 audio-visual materials including CDs and DVDs, holds subscriptions to around 200 magazines as well as a variety of online databases that are available to residents at any time.

Here are some other facts:

• 126,492 items were circulated equivalent to about 9 items per resident
• The library borrowed 1153 items from other libraries for Springfield residents
• 11,566 reference questions were answered by library staff
• 7,860 people attended programs at the library, half of Springfield's population
• On average, about 340 people visit the library every day, that's about 40 every hour!