Hours and Directions

Library Hours

In case of severe weather, please call ahead to be sure the library is open.

Main Desk
Reference
Arts & Music
Hosmer Gallery
Monday9 AM - 9 PM
Tuesday1 PM - 5 PM
Wednesday    9 AM - 9 PM
Thursday1 PM - 5 PM
Friday9 AM - 5 PM
Saturday9 AM - 5 PM
(Closed July 4-Sept. 5)
Sundayclosed
Children's & Young Adult Department
Monday9 AM - 6 PM
Tuesday1 PM - 5 PM
Wednesday    9 AM - 7 PM
Thursday1 PM - 5 PM
Friday9 AM - 5 PM
Saturday9 AM - 5 PM
(Closed July 4-Sept. 5)
Sundayclosed
Hampshire Room for Local History
Friday1 PM - 5 PM
Saturday1 PM - 5 PM
(Closed July 4-Sept. 5)
Limited access by appointment only may be available at other times. To ensure access to materials and availability of staff to assist you, appointments are preferred. Please call 413-587-1014 or .
Hampshire Room for Special Collections
Photo research by appointment only, 587-1013
Calvin Coolidge Presidential
Library & Museum
Monday3 PM - 9 PM
Tuesday1 PM - 5 PM
Wednesday    3 PM - 9 PM
Thursday1 PM - 5 PM
Fridayclosed
Saturdayby appointment only
Sundayclosed
Research by appointment, 587-1014


Holiday Closings

The Library will be closed on the following holidays:

2009     
Thursday, January 1New Years Day
Monday, January 19Martin Luther King Day
Monday, February 16Presidents Day
Monday, April 20Patriots Day
Monday, May 25Memorial Day
Saturday, July 4Independence Day
Monday, September 7Labor Day
Monday, October 12Columbus Day
Wednesday, November 11Veterans Day Holiday
Wednesday, November 25     OPEN UNTIL 1:00
Thursday, November 26Thanksgiving
Friday, November 27Day after Thanksgiving
Thursday, December 24Christmas Eve Day
Friday, December 25Christmas Day
Thursday, December 31New Year's Eve


Directions to the Library

20 West Street, Northampton, MA 01060

From Northampton center: At the intersection of Route 5 (Pleasant St./King St.) and Route 9 (Main St.), follow Route 9 west for about 2 blocks. Go straight through the traffic light at the Academy of Music, proceed about 100 feet to the next traffic light and turn left, onto Route 66 (West St.). The library is on the left, a large stone building with a semicircular driveway.

From Amherst and points east: Follow Route 9 west to Northampton center. Then follow directions above.

From Springfield and points south: Take I-91 north to Exit 18. At end of exit ramp, turn left onto Route 5. Continue north to the traffic light at the intersection of Route 9. Then follow directions above.

From Greenfield and points north: Take I-91 south to Exit 20. Merge onto Route 5 and continue south to the intersection of Route 9. Then follow directions above.

Map of Northampton showing location of Forbes Library


Parking

During building construction, March-September 2009, parking is limited. We are sorry for any inconvenience. After 5:00 PM on weekdays, and all day on weekends, the Smith College Parking Garage on West Street is available free. There are also a limited number of metered spaces on West Street and Green Street.

Forbes has a metered parking lot behind the building.

The fee is $.25 per hour, with a two hour limit. There are a limited number of 30 minute meters on the east side of the building which cost $.25 for 30 minutes. The meters take only quarters.

Day passes are available for $3.00 per day. They are available at the library's circulation desk and the Children's desk.

Handicapped parking is located on the east side of the building.

There is a free 10-minute parking space on the east side of the building for book return only.

All money deposited in the meters goes to the library's book fund.

Parking is enforced by the City of Northampton, which keeps the money from fines and handles all violation complaints.

20 West Street, Northampton MA 01060
(413) 587-1011