August 2019 Library News and Events

August 2019 Library News & Events

All programs take place at the Roslindale Branch Library and are free of charge unless noted otherwise.   Call the branch at 617-323-2343 for more information. Learn more at friendsofroslindalelibrary.org.

Roslindale Branch Closing and Retirement Party

Saturday, August 3, 9 am - 2 pm

Before the library closes on October 18, we are throwing a daylong, tropical-themed party on August 3!  We will have food, drinks, music, entertainment, and craft activities for both adults and kids.  We will have an information table where you can learn more about our new Roslindale Community Library Network and library programming during the renovation. You can also buy raffle tickets (until 1 pm), make furniture purchases, become a Friends member or make a donation to our organization - all while listening to live steel drumming and the sounds of classic reggae, samba, merengue, and salsa music! This will also be a good time to sign up for a library card at the circulation desk if you don't have one already. Just come in with a picture ID and proof of Massachusetts residency for the card.  More info: friendsofroslindalelibrary.org/closingparty.

Schedule of Events

9 am - 2 pm - Information Table

9 am - 2 pm - Furniture Sale

9:30 am - 11:30 am - Live Steel Drumming by Justin Petty Steel Drums & Pan Loco Steel Band

11 am - 1 pm - Henna Tattoos by Sue Murad, Balloon Animals by Debbie Pettengill of Falmouth Fun Factory & Kids Crafting Area for making crowns!

12 pm - 1:30 pm - Paula Wiktorowicz's Retirement Party, Food provided by Las Palmas and Roche Bros.

1 pm - Raffle Drawing

Thanks again to our raffle donors!  Here is the list of raffle items that were donated.

Paula Wiktorowicz Retirement Party!

Our children's librarian Paula Wiktorowicz is retiring on August 16 and her retirement party will formally start on August 3 at 12 PM.   In the meantime, we did our own "exit interview" with Paula recently where she reflected on her service to the library and the Roslindale community.  We will also have a comment book at the information desk all day where you can leave your words of gratitude for Paula. 

Furniture Sale

Over the years the Friends have purchased items for the branch that will not be needed after the renovation.  This includes framed book cover posters, chairs, couches, and shelving units.  These will all be for sale during the party on August 3, 9 am - 2 pm. Come browse!  They will be priced to sell! 

Closing For Renovation

The Roslindale Branch will officially close for renovation on Friday, October 18 at 5 PM.  Museum passes, holds, and other items will be transferred to the West Roxbury Branch.  The branch will be closed for approximately two years.  

Frequently Asked Questions and Library Programs During the Renovation

Over the last few weeks, we have put together answers to the most frequently asked questions about the renovation we have received from you into one FAQ list for your perusal.  We have also finalized the list of weekly programs that will continue after the library closes and takes effect on September 14.  Both of these lists can be found at friendsofroslindalelibrary.org/blog. A big thank you to the Roslindale Community Center, Rogerson Communities, and the Jamaica Plain Branch Library for accommodating our programming during the renovation! Please note that both lists are subject to change, and we will do our best to keep you updated with the latest information as it comes to us.  If you still have questions and need more clarification, please let us know at [email protected].  

Visit us at the Roslindale Village Farmer's Market
Saturdays, August 10 & Sept 14
9 AM - 1:30 PM

Visit us at our table to buy books, as well as learn more about our community library initiative and the library's upcoming renovation.

Knit/Crochet Circle
Wednesdays, 1:30-3 PM

Come to the library to craft and have a pleasant conversation with your neighbors in this weekly drop-in social group. All levels of skill are welcome.

Adult Book Discussion
Thursday, August 15, 1:30-2:30 PM
We will be discussing The Clockmaker's Daughter by Kate Morton. Beginning in September, we will meet at the Roslindale House community room on the Third Thursday at a new time, 12:30 PM.

Baby Birds and Their Nests
Saturday, August 10, 11 am
Best for ages 2-8, but children of other ages are welcome. During the program, each child will learn about how birds choose their habitat, build a nest, and raise baby birds. Each child will build their own bird nest out of natural material and create a bird and an egg out of clay. Topics will include migration, why different birds build different types of nests, the habitat requirements for nesting, and parental care by birds. During the program, participants will listen to a story and sing bird songs, look closely at different nests from our nest collection, examine the artwork of birds and their nests, build their own nest, and hand build a bird and birds eggs out of clay.  Each participant will go home with a nest they built and a clay bird and bird egg.  Presented by staff of Museum of American Bird Art at Mass Audubon, Canton.

The Beautiful Struggle Book Discussion
Saturdays, September 7, 21 & 28, 1:15-3 PM
Jamaica Plain Library, 30 South Street
We are happy to announce our new collaboration with the Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch Library and the JP Branch Library with our Race and Inclusion series during the renovation. Thanks to a recent grant from the City-Wide Friends of the BPL for making this happen! Our first book discussion will be about Ta-Nehisi Coates's memoir, The Beautiful Struggle: A Father, Two Sons, and an Unlikely Road to Manhood. We will explore how the author's upbringing has influenced his thinking about race, social justice, and politics in America. The discussions will be led by local educator Josh Frank and books can be borrowed from the Jamaica Plain Branch.  Please note the time change!

Summer Reading Program for Kids and Teens
Do you have what it takes to be a Champion of Reading? How many activities can you complete before summer is over?  Our Summer Reading Program starts on Monday, July 1 and ends on Monday, August 26.  Please register your child and pick up activity sheets at the Roslindale Branch Library Children's Room or Circulation Desk. Both children and teens can participate.

Read Your Way To Fenway Contest
Did you know that you could enter to win tickets to see the Red Sox play at Fenway? All you have to do is write a brief description of a book you’ve read this summer. Who are the characters, what happens in the story, and what did you like about it?  Children and teens ages 5-17 read a minimum of three books for a chance to win tickets to watch the Red Sox play at Fenway Park on Sunday, August 18. Essays are due at any BPL location by August 1. Winners, accompanied to the game by a parent or guardian, receive three Red Sox tickets and a Red Sox t-shirt, hat, backpack, and vouchers for food at Fenway Park.

Champions of Reading Adult Book Bingo!
Get some reading done while winning bingo prizes from the BPL this summer.  All you have to do is pick up a bingo card at the Roslindale branch or online.  Then, fill in your Bingo Card with what you read, did, or discovered between Monday, July 1, 2019, and Sunday, September 1, 2019. Drop your completed card off at any BPL location or send a picture of the card to [email protected] by end of day on Saturday, September 7. All are welcome to participate, but only Boston Public Library cardholders (including eCards) ages 18 and up are eligible to win a prize. If you do not have a library card, sign up for one at the circulation desk.

Please Note: Lego Club will not meet in August.  We plan to start up again at the Roslindale House Community Room on Thursdays in October at 4:30 PM.  The West Roxbury Branch will have Kenny Wiggins facilitating Lego Club at 2 PM on Thursdays in August.