Blog
Apr 01

April 2021 Library News and Events

April 2021 Library News & Events

All programs are free of charge unless noted otherwise. Learn more at friendsofroslindalelibrary.org.

BPL To-Go App
Patrons are now able to pick up physical items at the Boston Public Library with the new BPL To Go program. Using the library website, phone line (617.536.5400), or the BPL To Go iPhone app, patrons will be able to “order” (place a hold on) items such as books, DVDs, and CDs.

BPL COVID-19 Resources
Looking for reliable information about COVID vaccines? The BPL has put together a resource guide to help answer your questions.

Help Us Reopen Our Library!
This is an exciting time to be involved with the Friends! Our branch library's renovation is expected to be completed in the fall. Whether it will be open for BPL To Go, computer use, or more, is yet to be determined, as we all continue to monitor the pandemic.  Meanwhile, we would like to welcome volunteers to plan a reopening celebration, support the new Head Librarian (yet to be named) and Children’s Librarian Celeste, help launch new programming, or even join our Steering Committee. Please write us about what you would like to be involved with, and we will be in touch.  We are especially interested in diversifying our Steering Committee. Contact [email protected] and [email protected] with "Friends Volunteer" in the subject line for more information.

Rozzie Reads Poetry and Open Mic
Thursday, April 15, 7 PM

To sign up, contact [email protected]
Featured guests: Bruce Weigl and Cammy Thomas

Davey the Clown Show
Saturday, April 17, 11 AM
Join Roslindale's own Davey the Clown on Zoom for a morning of fun with juggling, unicycling, songs on the accordion, and other clown antics performed in Davey's living room. This interactive performance will have your kids laughing themselves silly.  Please register by Friday, April 16, with your email to receive the Zoom link.

Activist Kids Book Club
Saturdays, 4 PM
Through April 24, the Activist Kids Book Club will focus on a different page in A is for Activist, read other picture books about the issues and movements discussed in the book, learn about kid activists throughout history and today, and talk about what we can do to make our world a little more just for everyone. This group is best for kids ages 6 and up. We will send out a Zoom link on the day of the program.  Curious about what we have been reading? Check out the Activist Kids Book Club book list. Register for the whole Activist Kids Book Club here:  https://bit.ly/35KunCy.

Preschool Storytimes
Tuesdays, 4:30 PM
Miss Celeste kicked off Preschool Storytime this year with an alphabet-themed series. Each week she introduces a puppet version of the letter of the week and gives the opportunity to guess the character’s favorite food, animal, and other items. This helps promote letter recognition and phonetic awareness. We read stories and sing songs to develop early literacy skills in a fun and playful way. Please go to https://tinyurl.com/BPL-Preschool to register.

Online Spanish Conversation Group
Saturdays, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Join this casual Spanish conversation group for all levels.  It is currently accepting new members into the group.  To join, email [email protected] with "Spanish Group" in the subject line.

Online Race and Inclusion Book Discussion:
Four Hundred Souls
Saturdays, May 1, 8 and 22
9:15 - 11 AM (Morning) or 2 - 3:45 PM (Afternoon)
We will discuss the new collaborative book, Four Hundred Souls, a unique one-volume “community” history of African Americans. The editors Ibram X. Kendi and Keisha N. Blain have assembled ninety brilliant writers, each taking on a five-year period of that four-hundred-year span. The writers explore their periods through various techniques: historical essays, short stories, personal vignettes, and fiery polemics. They approach history from various perspectives: through the eyes of towering historical icons or the untold stories of ordinary people; through places, laws, and objects. We will also discuss the controversial debate around including antiracist education in schools, especially recent pushback against Kendi's books and the 1619 Project.

The discussion will happen on Zoom and will be led by local educator Josh Frank.  You can get the book from bpl.org or an online bookstore like Rozzie Bound, which has the book listed on the Friends "Black Histories and Futures" adult virtual bookshelf.  The Friends will receive 20% of proceeds from each book sold.  You can find the virtual shelf here: https://bookshop.org/shop/rozziebound.

Because this is a very popular book, we will have two sessions with 20 participants each on the three dates.  Times: Morning session at 9:15-11 AM and an afternoon session at 2 -3:45 PM.  To register, please email JP Branch librarian Laura Pattison at [email protected].  Please write "400 Souls Book Discussion" in the subject line when you RSVP.

  • You only need to register once for all three dates, even if you think you might miss a date.
  • Please choose the morning or afternoon time, and you will be registered for that same time for each date.
  • Laura will register the first 40 people, 20 each for the morning and afternoon groups.  You will get an email if you are registered.  If you do not get an email from Laura, please assume that you are not registered.

This discussion is co-sponsored by the Friends of the JP Branch Library.

Craft and Hobby Online Book Fair!
The Friends are collaborating with Rozzie Bound to create an online book shopping experience just for crafters and hobbyists.  We have a list of nearly 100 fiction and nonfiction books about knitting, crochet, sewing, and other crafts.  If fiber arts aren't your thing, we got you covered!  We also have books on the list about art, design, cooking, gardening, travel, sports, gaming, antique collecting, writing, and more! The Friends will receive 20% of sales on each book sold from the list.  Get shopping today: https://bookshop.org/shop/rozziebound

Repairing America Series

Seema Yasmin, MD — Inside the Outbreaks
Apr 6th | 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Dr. Yasmin tells stories from the front lines to demonstrate how humans are increasingly connected, and epidemics are the new normal.

Debra Lee — Embracing Change & Triumphing Over Disruption
Apr 22nd | 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Debra Lee shares lessons learned from her career as one of America’s few African American women CEOs.

Dr. Celine Gounder — COVID and Where Do We Go from Here?
May 13th | 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Join epidemiologist, journalist, and filmmaker Dr. Celine Gounder for an online conversation about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sign up for these and other upcoming events in the Repairing America series at bpl.org/RepairingAmerica

Banking 101 with Tawanna Smith
Thursday, April 15th, from 2-3 pm
This online webinar provides a basic understanding of banking, bank products, account opening basics, bank employees, and their branch roles.  Participants can register here.

Jen Hemphill, Latina Money Expert presenta Cómo Simplificar Tu Presupuesto
Viernes, 16 de Abril, 3-4 pm
Kirstein Business Library & Innovation Center se complace en presentar una serie de talleres de bienestar financiero con Jen Hemphill en español.  Registrarse aquí.

Teen Voices in the Library Info Session #2
Thursday, April 22, 4 PM
If you had a chance to speak to all library staff, what would you say?  Join some teen librarians for an info session about this project to bring teen's own voices about their experiences in the library to library staff.  We'll discuss the idea behind the project, how teens can submit short media clips that may be screened for library staff, and the grounding questions teens can refer to in their responses. It's your library! Be heard! This info session will take place on April 22 at 4 pm. This info session is for teens in grades 7 through 12. Registration is required for this online program. Registered participants will receive meeting room links before the event.

Help keep our Community Library Network supplied!
The Friends have a team of volunteers who restock the business-based and home-based libraries that we put up in anticipation of the library being closed for renovation.  What a help they have been for our community during these COVID times too!  BUT we need more book donations to keep the libraries stocked.  Please drop off gently used, recent, fiction, non-fiction, and children’s books at 631 South St. or email [email protected] for a pickup.

Children’s Book Bundles
Roslindale Children’s Librarian Celeste Bocchicchio-Chaudhri and Jamaica Plain Children’s Librarian Barbara Rhodes are working together to create custom book bundles for kids to pick up at the Jamaica Plain library. We know it is hard to know what books to choose for your kids without browsing the shelves. Since the library buildings will remain closed for the time being due to escalating COVID cases in the city, book bundles are the next best thing to browsing! Fill out one of our request forms, or email the information to [email protected], and we will prepare a stack of books just for your kid!

After-hours Book Drops Are Now Open
While the Roslindale Book drop is still unavailable due to the ongoing construction, the after-hours book drops at the other city branches are now open. You can return books at your convenience.

Virtual Homework Assistance Program
The Boston Public Library’s Homework Assistance Program has gone virtual this year. Students in grades K-8 can meet with high achieving high school students on Zoom to get help with school assignments. There are four different Zoom rooms for different areas of the city. Roslindale is in Zoom 3. The Homework Assistant Program can be accessed via computer, smartphone, tablet, or telephone.

Online Resource Highlight: MakeMake

MakeMake has 300 Spanish-language eBooks for children. The collection includes picture books, read-along books, and interactive books. The interface and search are also in Spanish.

MakeMake le ofrece 300 libros electrónicos en español para niños de todas las edades. Ésta colección contiene libros interactivos donde los niños pueden leer y escuchar el texto al mismo tiempo y la interfaz es también en español para facilitar su uso.

Enter the website here.

Business Donations!
Thanks to recent donations from Google, John Hancock, and Bain Capital we are able to continue doing online programming during the pandemic.  We welcome donations large and small to help defray costs to keep us going.  If you work with a company that offers donations and corporate matches to 501c3 nonprofits like the Friends, please consider contacting your human resources or external giving department and email us at [email protected].

Holiday Shopping with the Friends!
If you are doing more Amazon shopping during the lockdown, please consider registering with our Friends' AmazonSmile account.  For eligible purchases at AmazonSmile, the Friends receive 0.5 percent of the purchase price year-round.  There is no additional cost to the Friends or to AmazonSmile customers. You will see eligible products marked “Eligible for donation” on their product detail pages. The shopping experience is identical to Amazon.com with the added benefit that the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate that percentage to the Friends!  The percentage might seem minuscule, but this adds up if you are a regular Amazon customer who makes purchases several times a week or month.  Of course, if you just want to donate directly to the Friends, you can do so on our donation page or become a Friends member.  Every dollar and cent counts!

BPL To Go
The BPL is offering limited pickup services for physical library materials at most branches when put on hold.  Library cardholders — including e-card holders — will be able to safely pick up their items much like picking up takeout from a restaurant, and return items using designated bins.  No other physical services at the library will be available, but branches will continue to offer a wide range of online programming and resources.

Online ESL Classes

The BPL offers various online courses for those learning English:

  • Beginner Class for Spanish Speakers, Fridays, 10:30-11:30 am
  • High Beginner/Elementary Class, Fridays, 11:30am-12:30pm
  • Intermediate Class, Wednesdays, 1-2:15 pm
  • Advanced Class, Tuesdays, 1-2:15 pm
  • Reading and Discussion Class, Thursdays, 11 am-12:30 pm
  • Conversation Classes, Mondays, 3-4:15pm, Tuesdays, 5:30-6:45pm, Wednesdays, 7-8:30pm, Fridays, 1-2:15pm

Students can register by emailing [email protected] or calling 617-859-2446. They also have an online ESL Singing Class with the Back Bay Chorale, Tuesdays, 10:30-11:30 pm, students can register at https://bbcboston.org/bridges/esl.  The BPL is partnering with St. Mark Community Education Program to offer online Citizenship classes. The classes have already started, but students can sign up for the waitlist at https://www.stmarksesol.org/copy-of-classes-resources.

BPL makes historical images available for use in Wikipedia

In celebration of Wikipedia’s 20th anniversary on January 15th, Boston Public Library has uploaded more than 8,000 historical photographs from its archival collections to Wikimedia Commons. These images include some of the library’s most important photographic collections and contribute to the single largest batch of uploads ever contributed to Wikimedia Commons. By uploading these public domain images, BPL is making them available so that they can be freely used to enhance Wikipedia articles, re-printed in publications, or incorporated in student projects and papers.   Read more about it here

BPL Reading Together
The Boston Public Library is launching Reading Together, a yearlong reading challenge for the year 2021. While many Bostonians remain isolated due to the global health emergency, Reading Together challenges BPL patrons to read a book each month that falls under a suggested theme. The themes were chosen to broaden perspectives and connect readers across the city throughout the year.  Readers of all ages and all language speakers are encouraged to participate in the yearlong challenge. Recommended booklists corresponding to the monthly themes are available for adults, teens, and children at bpl.org/yearlong. Readers are also welcome to choose their own books each month and to share their recommendations with others participating in the challenge.

 


Online Resources at BPL.org
There are many ways to use the Boston Public Library during this period. You can sign up for a BPL library card at bpl.org/get-a-library-card to get an eCard. The eCard provides access to millions of ebooks, audiobooks, movies, newspapers, magazines, journals, databases, and other online resources, including OverDrive, Kanopy, and Hoopla. All you need is a computer, phone or tablet, and an internet connection to access these resources and then log in to bpl.org with your eCard or physical library card.  The BPL is also offering a full listing of online services.  Send your questions to [email protected].   Please leave your gently-used donated books in any little library in the Roslindale Community Library Network.

Computer Access at the BPL
Mayor Walsh and the Boston Public Library launched two new initiatives designed to help bridge the digital equity gap in the City of Boston. The Public Computer Access program will allow residents to sign up for a two-hour appointment to use library computers in a socially distanced space within the Central Library in Copley Square. The Outdoor Wi-Fi Program provides 24-hour outdoor internet access at nine BPL branch locations across the city, allowing users to socially distance while accessing the Internet for free.


Museum Passes
The Boston Public Library also announced it is reinstating a version of the Museum Passes program, granting BPL patrons access to free and discounted passes to Massachusetts museums and cultural institutions. As museums continue to open in Phase Three of the Commonwealth’s reopening plan, the library will add more institutions to the program. For more information on COVID-19 safety requirements when visiting these organizations, patrons can call or visit their websites directly.

Printing To Go
Printing To Go, a free print-on-demand service is now available at all BPL branches not currently under construction.  Patrons can upload documents they need to be printed by filling out a form at bpl.org/printing-to-go, selecting their location, and picking up their print jobs 72 hours later at the branches, or 24 hours later at the Central Library in Copley Square. Printed items can be picked up during branch hours of operation, a reservation is not needed.  The service is limited to 10 pages per patron per day. Documents will be printed in black and white, single-sided, on 8.5" x 11" paper, and should not include personal information, such as Social Security numbers, credit card numbers, or other similar information. Print requests must comply with the Library’s Internet Use Procedures and Guidelines.

New WiFi Hotspots
The Boston Public Library has invested in new wifi hotspots that can be checked out from the library. If you do not have internet access at home you can check out a hotspot for three weeks. The hotspots have unlimited data and can support up to 15 devices. You can place a hold on a hotspot online or by calling your closest library branch. Since the Roslindale branch is closed for construction, you can place a hold to pick up a hotspot at Jamaica Plain (617) 524-2053 or West Roxbury (617) 325-3147, or any other branch that is convenient.

Books of the Month

Each month we feature themed booklists grouped for adults, teenagers/young adults, and children, and can be borrowed as an ebook from bpl.org!

Books about Spring Cleaning
Spring is here! Get rid of the winter blues by doing some good old-fashioned spring cleaning. These titles will help you keep you declutter and keep your home tidy and organized!

Books about AAPI Voices
Celebrate, uplift, and learn from the works of Asian American and Pacific Islander authors, today and every day.

Books about Humor
According to the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu in "The Book of Joy", humor and laughter help us relax, connect us to others, and is good for our heart and general health. Is it no wonder then, that folks take up careers in comedy? These audiobook memoirs are narrated by the comedians themselves! Borrow one today and find your funny bone!

Books about Black Lives Matter
Now and always, the Boston Public Library stands with the Black community. Check out one of these titles today to educate yourself about police brutality, anti-Black racism in the present day and throughout history, and the BLM movement.  None of these books have waitlists!

Words of Wisdom

“It always seems impossible until it's done.” ― Nelson Mandela

Sharing is Caring
The best way to know about upcoming offsite Roslindale library programs, special events, news, and renovation updates is to stay on this email list, like our Facebook page, and regularly visit friendsofroslindalelibrary.org and bpl.org.  If you know anyone who would like to join our email list, please tell them to sign up on our website's homepage at friendsofroslindalelibrary.org.  We would also appreciate it if you forward our emails and share and like our Facebook posts with your networks to help get the word out.

Support the Friends!
We are a volunteer-run organization. All the work we do for library programming, publicity, and building improvements is done with support from the community. There are many ways to support the Friends, like donating, becoming a Friends member, and even shopping on Amazon!

Contact the Friends
For information about the Friends, contact us.  We also share information about upcoming events, photos from past events, and other library news on Facebook, and on our blog!

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