February 2020 Library News & Events
All programs are free of charge unless noted otherwise. Learn more at friendsofroslindalelibrary.org.
Choose the next Rozzie Reads One Book!
We will host another community-wide Rozzie Reads One Book while the library is undergoing renovation. Help us decide what to read! Below is our shortlist. Pick your top three choices on our decision form. Deadline: February 15.
- Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
- Run by Ann Patchett
- We Can't Breathe by Jabari Asim
- The Given Day by Dennis Lehane
- We Ride Upon Sticks by Kwan Barry
- The Game by George Howe Colt
- Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
- Tuesday Mooney Talks to Ghosts by Kate Racculia
Join the Human Library
Tell us what you'd like to learn—or teach—at a human library event we would like to do soon. This "library" will let you "check out" a person, not a book, to learn anything from skills to life stories. Is there a topic, hobby, or interest you would like to learn more about? Do you have a skill set you would like to share with the community?
Sign up for the human library here.
1619 Project Discussion (Full)
Saturdays, February 1 & 22, 2 - 4 pm
JP Library, 30 South Street
We are no longer accepting new attendees for this discussion, as we have met the seating capacity.
Below are the readings for the February 1 discussion for those of you attending.
- Nikole Hannah Jones—"The Idea of America.” Consider this article through the lens of black and white American political identity and experience.
- Matthew Desmond—"Capitalism.” Consider this article through the lens of black and white American economic identity and experience.
- Kevin M. Kruse—“Traffic.” Consider this article through the lens of black and white American social identity and experience
- Bryan Stevenson—“Mass Incarceration.” Consider this article through the lens of black and white American social identity and experience
- Trymaine Lee - “Wealth Gap”
The 1619 Project is a groundbreaking series of essays, poems, short fiction, and a photo essay featured in the August 18, 2019 edition of The New York Times Magazine. It looks at the legacy of slavery and race in America since the first enslaved Africans were brought to Jamestown, Virginia. Local educator Josh Frank will facilitate the discussion, and a free online copy of the magazine's edition can found on the Friends' website.
All of our Saturday afternoon book discussions this year will have an emphasis on how race and inclusion fit into issues related to the 2020 presidential election, starting with the 1619 Project discussion. To learn more about upcoming events, go to our Race and Inclusion webpage. Co-sponsored by the Friends of JP Branch Library.
Story Club Boston Library Fundraiser
Thursday, February 6, 7 - 8:30 pm
Distraction, Two Belgrade Avenue
Distraction Brewing Company is hosting a storytelling show with Story Club Boston on February 6. Story Club Boston is our city's unique storytelling show. No competition; just three featured storytellers plus a handful of open mic slots for stories from the audience. It's all about your stories, and we believe everybody has one.
There will be a suggested donation of $5 per person, and a portion of the donations will be given to the Friends!
The theme: Sea Change. Bring your stories about the time you decided to make a change in your life and all the ups and downs you experienced along the way.
DETAILS:
• $5 suggested donation at the door.
• The show includes three featured performers (TBD by Story Club Boston) plus a handful of open mic slots. All focused on the theme.
• Stories can be recited from memory or the page.
• Open mic sign-up starts at 7 PM, and the show starts at 7:30 PM. If a large number of storytellers sign up, we’ll draw names for the slots.
• Open mic participants are given eight minutes (1,300 words).
Ken Green organizes story Club Boston with assistance from Kim Fox. Please attend this great event!
More information on Distraction's Facebook page.
Solo on the Silk Road
Thursday, February 13, 7-9 PM
Roslindale House, 120 Poplar St
For the past four years, Karina Meiri has been exploring the routes by which cultures, religions, and goods moved across the world from X'ian to Venice and Baikal to Shiraz via the Silk Roads, building up a picture of sophisticated civilizations that rose and fell while Europeans were mired in their mud huts. She also explored how China is working to revive these Silk Roads, and how those caught up in the onslaught of this relentless ambition will fare. Meiri will host a special presentation on her journeys.
Yarn and Craft Book Sale
March 5-7
West Roxbury Branch, 1961 Centre St
Come buy some of the best yarn, craft books, patterns, and accessories in the city! All proceeds from the sale will go towards programming and other initiatives at both the Roslindale and West Roxbury Branch Libraries! Yarn and crafting donations can be dropped off at the West Roxbury branch now until February 28. Learn more on the event's webpage. Co-sponsored by the Friends of the West Roxbury Branch Library.
Beloved Book Discussion
Saturdays, March 7, 14 & 28, 2- 4 PM
JP Branch Library, 30 South Street
We will discuss Toni Morrison's acclaimed novel about the horrors of American slavery through the eyes of its protagonist Sethe, who was born enslaved and escaped to Ohio. However, eighteen years later, she is still not free. Many of the shared themes from our 1619 Project conversations will also be discussed. The discussion will be led by local educator Josh Frank and copies of the book can be borrowed from JP Branch Library. Please register for the discussion by calling JP library at (617) 524-2053 or in-person at their library's adult reference desk, so they will know how many people to expect for attendance. The discussion is co-sponsored by the Friends of JP Branch Library.
Roslindale Community Library Network
You can view all business-based and home-based little libraries in Roslindale on our online map and PDF download. Please consider donating your recent fiction and non-fiction in good condition to any little libraries near you. Children's and young adult books are welcome as well.
Knit/Crochet Circle
Wednesdays, 1:30-3 PM
Roslindale House, 120 Poplar Street
Join us to craft and have a pleasant conversation with your neighbors in this weekly drop-in social group. All levels of skill are welcome.
February Vacation Week Activities
Li Liu Performance
Wednesday, February 19 at 11 AM
Roslindale Community Center
Join us for a one-woman acrobatic performance with Li Liu. You will learn about the history of acrobatics in China, which goes back more than 2,000 years and some basic Chinese phrases. Li performs hand balances, plate spinning, ribbon dancing, diabolos, and foot juggling. A limited number of young volunteers get to join her to create an impromptu ribbon dance, and also to try their hand at plate spinning.
All About Anansi
Friday, February 21 at 2 PM
Roslindale Community Center
Join storyteller Valerie Stephens as we learn all about Anansi the spider, who was born amongst the Ashanti oral culture of the people of Ghana and became one of the more famous characters in folklore. We will celebrate the much-beloved trickster spider who has brought joy to many generations through interactive stories, games, and songs.
Funding for vacation week programs was made possible by the Highland Street Foundation.
Adult Book Discussion
Thursday, February 20, 12:30-1:30
Roslindale House, 120 Poplar Street
We are gathering to discuss Exit West by Mohsin Hamed. Refreshments will be served. Newcomers welcome! Contact Becky for more information: 617-325-3147.
Rozzie Reads Poetry and Open Mic
Thursday, February 27, 7 - 9 PM
Roslindale House, 120 Poplar Street
Featured readers: Queen Hodge, Maureen McElroy, Vivienne Shalom
New Program Schedule
Weekly Children's Programs:
Note: Lego Club has been discontinued until further notice.
Music and Movement/ Música y Movimiento
Tuesdays at 10 am/Los martes a las diez
Roslindale Community Center, 6 Cummins Hwy
Children’s Librarian Celeste Bocchicchio-Chaudhri will lead our Toddler time with songs and stories in English and Spanish.
Bibliotecaria de niños Celeste continuará nuestro programa de música y movimiento el martes por la mañana con canciones y cuentos en ingles y español.
Bouncing Babies
Fridays 11 am, Roslindale Community Center
Our storytime for babies from birth to two will continue at the community center on Friday mornings. Enjoy board books, songs, lap bounces, and more. Storytime is followed by an informal playgroup.
Weekly Adult Programs:
Knit/Crochet Circle
Wednesdays, 1:30-3 PM
Roslindale House, 120 Poplar St
Spanish Conversation Group
Saturdays, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
JP Branch Library, 30 South St
Thanks again to the Roslindale Community Center, Rogerson Communities and the Jamaica Plain Branch Library for hosting our programs during the renovation!
Kids Activities at West Roxbury Branch
Meet and Greet the New West Roxbury Branch Children’s Librarian, Liz Smith
Saturday, February 1, 10 AM - 12 PM
Children may enjoy a recycled art craft while their caregivers learn about upcoming programs.
Valentine's Day Workshop
Wednesday, February 5, 3:30 PM - 5 PM
All ages welcome; children, adults, and teens. Drop in to create Valentine's Day cards and wreaths.
Teen Advisory Board Meeting
Thursday, February 13, 4 - 4:30 PM
Students in Grades 6-12 Help to plan teen programs at the library: Join Becky in the community room for pizza and to share your ideas for teen programs.
Coming Soon!
Yarn and Craft Book Sale
March 5-7
Beloved Book Discussion
March 7, 14 & 28
How To Be An Antiracist Discussion
May 16 & 30
Renovation Update!
Below is a picture of what is currently going on inside the Roslindale Branch.
1619 Project Discussion
Thanks to everyone who attended our first discussion series in January at the JP Branch Library. Each session was attended by 50 plus people from all over the city, with some folks coming as far as Andover and Providence! Our February series is already filled to capacity.
Learning about Whales
We also hosted our event on North Atlantic Right Whales. Below are some important takeaways from the event.
What Our Children's Librarian Is Up To
Roslindale branch children's librarian Celeste Bocchicchio-Chaudri has been super busy working around Roslindale during the renovation. Here is her update.
"I have been enjoying visiting local schools and daycares while the library is closed. I have regular monthly visits scheduled with the Village Preschool, the Sacred Heart School’s preschool afterschool program, and the Little Treehouse Family Day Care. I have visited with the Irving sixth grade class to make library cards and help them check out books for free reading, and visited the Head Start classes for storytime in costume on Halloween. I have continued regular storytime programming with Music and Movement/Musica y moviemiento for ages 0-5 on Tuesdays at the community center and Bouncing Babies on Fridays. I have been doing monthly visits at the Home for Little Wanderers, where I hang out in the waiting room with information about the library and free books for kids to take home. Recently I have begun working with Mr. Cipriani at the Sumner Elementary School for a weekly book club for enthusiastic second-grade readers during their lunch and recess time. I will be starting monthly visits to the Casserly House afterschool program beginning next week. I will be setting up a deposit collection there so that kids participating in the program can have a greater variety of reading material to choose from. I am also visiting the Smart from the Start playgroup for low-income families once a month to do storytime, make library cards, and check out books. I am working with the Parent Engagement group at the Sumner for a Family Reading Night as part of Black Lives Matter at School on February 7."
Renovation Library Services
Please visit these branch libraries in adjacent neighborhoods to get the same book borrowing, computer, copier and printer services you accessed at the Roslindale Branch Library while it is closed during this renovation period:
- West Roxbury Branch: 1961 Centre Street, West Roxbury, (617) 325-3147
- Jamaica Plain Branch: 30 South Street, Jamaica Plain, (617) 524-2053
- Hyde Park Branch: 35 Harvard Ave, Hyde Park, (617) 361-2524
- Mattapan Branch: 1350 Blue Hill Avenue, Mattapan, (617) 298-9218
Where can I find parking at these branches?
Many of you have asked about parking for the above branches. The Mattapan branch is the only branch with its own parking lot. The Hyde Park branch has a municipal parking lot in front of its building. The West Roxbury and Jamaica Plain branches only have street parking. The CVS parking lot next to the West Roxbury branch is not recommended for long-term parking for library patrons. All four branches are easily accessible on the MBTA. Mattapan, West Roxbury, and Jamaica Plain branches have bus stops right in front of their buildings.
What if I am not able to get to other branches outside of Roslindale?
There are many ways to use the Boston Public Library without physically going into a branch building. 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 and Hoopla. All you need is a computer and an internet connection to access these resources and then log in to bpl.org with your eCard.
Books of the Month
Each month we feature themed booklists grouped for adults, teenagers/young adults, and children, and can be borrowed from any BPL branch library!
Books about Black History
February is Black History Month. This is a booklist featuring books by prominent black authors and/or books about the African-American experience.
Love Your Neighbor
The Association of Jewish Libraries put together several book lists called Love you Neighbor as a counter to the rise in anti-semitic violence in the United States.
#OWNVoices
So, you may have heard about the controversy around the latest selection in Oprah's Book Club. If you haven't, read up on it here. The controversy has brought up discussions about representation in publishing. In response, Literary Twitter crowdsourced a book list about the immigration experience written by Latinx authors.
Romance Book List: A Happily Ever After For EVERYONE
This special adults-only booklist celebrates the diversity of romance authors and novels that usually don't get enough mainstream recognition. Our list represents different subgenres, racial and ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations, abilities, as well as all levels of heat for your Valentine's Day reading!
Words of Wisdom
My bounty is as boundless as the sea, My love as deep; the more I give to thee, The more I have, for both are infinite. – William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet
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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