Blog
Jan 01

January 2020 Library News and Events

January 2020 Library News & Events

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

1619 Project Discussion
Saturdays, January 4, 11 & 18, 2 - 4 PM
JP Branch Library, 30 South St
We will discuss the 1619 Project, 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 Virginia. The discussion will be led by local educator Josh Frank and a free online copy of the magazine's edition can found on the Friends' website or get a print copy of it at the 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.

North Atlantic Right Whales In Decline: Solutions To An Urgent Problem
Monday, January 27, 7 - 9 PM
Roslindale House, 120 Poplar St
North Atlantic right whales inhabit the waters off Massachusetts (that whale tail on many Massachusetts license plates belongs to our state marine mammal, the right whale), but the species only numbers around 400 individuals and has been in decline since 2010.  Whaling by New Englanders and Europeans decimated this species by the mid-1800s, and they have had a long road of recovery since then.  Today, right whales die almost exclusively by getting entangled in fishing gear and hit by ships throughout their range from Florida to Newfoundland, Canada, and the rates of these deaths are unsustainable.  Learn about right whales, how scientists study them, and what is being done to reverse their decline.  This lecture will be led by Dr. Mark Baumgartner of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

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
Yes, this is happening! 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.

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.

Adult Book Discussion
Thursday, January 16,12:30-1:30
Roslindale House, 120 Poplar Street  
We are gathering to discuss The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro. Refreshments will be served. Newcomers welcome! Contact Becky for more information: 617-325-3147.

Rozzie Reads Poetry and Open Mic
Thursday, January 23, 7 - 9 PM
Roslindale House, 120 Poplar Street
Featured readers: Timothy Gager and Pui Ying Wong

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, Roslindale Community Center

Children’s Librarian Celeste Bocchicchio-Chaudhri will be relaunching our Tuesday morning Toddler time on January 7 with songs and stories in English and Spanish.

Bibliotecaria de niños Celeste relanzará nuestro programa de niños pequeños el martes por la mañana a partir del 7 de enero 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!  You can also download this schedule as a PDF.

Coming Soon!

Solo on the Silk Road
February 13

Yarn and Craft Book Sale
March 5-7

Beloved Book Discussion
March 7, 14 & 28

¡Posada Navideña!
Despite the rainstorm that day, over 100 people came out for our annual Posada Navideña celebration.  Thanks again to Lucy Galvin and Alejandro Rodriguez for providing the tamales and hot chocolate, Read Boston for the donated books, and the Roslindale Community Center for accommodating the entire event inside their building!Renovation Library Services

Holiday Maker Workshop!
We had a small but energetic crowd for our maker event, where participants made reusable produce nets as holiday gifts!

Get a Book, Suggest a Book, Review a Book
We maintain a wide variety of topical books in our race and inclusion mega reading list for adults, teens/young adults, and children.  We also welcome any book suggestions, especially ones for teens and children, to add to this mega list, which is mostly comprised of titles recommended by community members like you!  This book list is meant to be a community resource that encourages thoughtful conversation, education, and respect for diversity.  Also, if you read any of the books listed and want to write a review, let us know.  We will consider review submissions for publication in our newsletter and website. Send your suggestions and reviews to [email protected].

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.

Rozzie Reads One Book!
The Friends of the Roslindale Library will host another community-wide Rozzie Reads One Book while the library is undergoing renovation. Help us decide what to read! Here are the general criteria:

--Local author preferred
--Possibilities for multigenerational programs
--Available in paperback

Please recommend a book on our nomination form.

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!

Jump Start The New Year!
The new year is a good time to reset and do something new and different.  Here is a list of books that can help you with your resolutions.

Send us your book recommendations!
These booklists have been very popular, and we will continue making them in the new year.  Did you read a book that you would like Roslindale to know about? Let us know about it!  It can be about any topic for any age group.  We might include it in a future book list.  Email your recommendations to [email protected].

Words of Wisdom

"True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice."  - Martin Luther King, Jr.
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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