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
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
Sundayclosed
Hampshire Room for Local History
Friday1 PM - 5 PM
Saturday1 PM - 5 PM
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:

2010     
Friday, January 1New Years Day
Saturday, January 2 
Monday, January 18Martin Luther King Day
Monday, February 15Presidents Day
Monday, April 19Patriots Day
Monday, May 31Memorial Day
Monday, July 5Independence Day Holiday
Monday, September 6Labor Day
Monday, October 11Columbus Day
Thursday, November 11Veterans Day Holiday
Wednesday, November 24     OPEN UNTIL 1:00
Thursday, November 25Thanksgiving
Friday, November 26Day after Thanksgiving
Friday, December 24Christmas Eve Day
Saturday, December 25Christmas Day
Friday, 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

Forbes has a metered parking lot behind the building.

The fee is $.25 per hour, with a two hour limit on most meters. There are some 4-hour meters at the back of the parking lot. 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. Meters are in effect from 8 AM - 6 PM, except Sundays and holidays.

Additional parking: 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.

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