August 2020 Library News & Events
All programs are free of charge unless noted otherwise. Learn more at friendsofroslindalelibrary.org.
BPL To Go
The BPL is offering limited pickup services for physical library materials at most branches which can be 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. All other locations will remain closed at this time. No other physical services at the library will be available, but branches will continue to offer a wide range of online programming and resources. The BPL is waiving all late fines for all materials until September 1.
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.
Goodbye Rebecca Manos!
Roslindale Branch head librarian Rebecca Manos retired yesterday after 25 years of service to the Boston Public Library. She worked at Roslindale since 2014 and previously at branches in Parker Hill, Dudley, Charlestown, and the now-defunct Washington Village. We did an exit interview with her before she left, where she talked about her career and her love for the library community.
Preschool Storytimes
Tuesdays, 4:30 PM
Our children's librarian Celeste Bocchicchio-Chaudhri will be continuing her preschool Zoom storytime through the summer. Storytime is at 4:30 pm on Tuesdays. Register on our website to get the zoom link! And if you are keeping track of the Future Readers Club, the books read during this program can be added to your tally. Register for Preschool Storytime here.
Online Race and Inclusion Book Discussion:
Stamped From The Beginning
Saturdays, September 12, 19 & 26
9:15 - 11 AM (Morning) or 2 - 3:45 PM (Afternoon)
We will discuss Dr. Ibram X. Kendi's book, Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America. In this deeply researched and fast-moving narrative, Kendi chronicles the entire story of anti-black racist ideas and their staggering power over the course of American history. The discussion will happen on Zoom and will be led by local educator Josh Frank. You can get the book from bpl.org (which has a very LONG waitlist) or an online bookstore like Rozzie Bound, which will be donating sales from this books to the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute, a Dorchester-based nonprofit that serves as "a center of healing, teaching, and learning for family and communities impacted by murder, trauma, grief, and loss." As a matter of fact, Rozzie Bound will donate all its proceeds from its "Racial Justice Bookshelf" to the Peace Institute. 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 "Kendi"
as the first word of 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.
Support The Friends at Rozzie Bound
Speaking of buying books, we recently became the latest community partner for Rozzie Bound! We have a virtual bookshelf showcasing some of our recommendations for summer reading during these unprecedented times that we think will inspire, amuse, and motivate you. Best of all, the Friends will receive 20 percent of the shelf's sales. Buy your next book here: https://bookshop.org/shop/rozziebound.
Help Us Develop An Anti-Racist Family Book Club!
Miss Celeste is also working on planning an anti-racist family book club for school-age kids and their grown-ups. Please take a moment to fill out this survey so that she can get an idea of what age kids are interested in and what days and times work best for people. The club will start up at the beginning of the school year. Feel free to include any questions or comments you have about the program. You can also reach out to Miss Celeste at [email protected].
Rozzie Reads One Book!
We recently solicited votes for our Rozzie Reads One Book celebration and Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng was selected for our community-wide discussion this fall. Some of you may have enjoyed it already as it has been a number one New York Times bestseller and there was a recent Hulu miniseries that garnered very positive reviews. If you would like to be involved in the planning of our One Book celebration and discussion, please write to [email protected] by August 10.
Rozzie Reads Poetry
Rozzie Reads Poetry and Open Mic Committee are on vacation until September. We held ten readings this year. Thank you to the Friends, to all who participated in the regular and Zoom events, and to the excellent features. We are making plans for next season and anticipate another exciting year of poetry. Look for the featured readers' books at the library when it reopens. Committee members: Steve Babcock, Linda Burnett, Dorothy Derifield, Holly Guran, Mary McCusker, and Vivienne Shalom.
Imagine Your Story
Summer Reading is here! This year’s theme is "Imagine Your Story." You can visit our website for a downloadable activity sheet. When you finish the activity sheet, let us know and your child will be entered into our grand prize drawing. The contest runs until August 15, 2020. Plus there will be special programs and events all summer long.
Online Spanish Conversation Group
This group is currently at capacity and can't accept any new participants right now. We will reopen for new participants soon.
Remote Resources for Families and Youth
The children’s librarians across the BPL have been working hard to compile information and resources for families with children at home due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Remote Resources for Families and Youth libguide includes tips for talking to kids about Covid-19, lists of ebooks for children and teens available through the BPL, DIY storytimes, links to special read aloud and draw along with children’s authors and illustrators, and more. The DIY storytimes include links to YouTube videos of favorite storytime songs as well as links to specific picture book ebooks to check out from the library. The guide will continue to grow so check back frequently!
Ebooks for kids ready for chapter books
Celeste created a booklist of chapter books available as ebooks through the library. These books are great for second and third graders who are starting to read chapter books independently, but also make a fun read-aloud for the whole family.
Library Celeste YouTube Channel
Celeste has also created a personal YouTube channel for recording favorite storytime songs and activities. This is a side project, not part of her official work with the Boston Public Library and the channel is not affiliated with the BPL. However, she thought some of you might be interested in checking out Library Celeste!
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