March 2018 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.
Please Support an Increased Roslindale Library Renovation Budget
We're in the design phase of our library renovation, and we're lobbying Mayor Walsh and the Boston City Council for additional funding. The Roslindale Branch library is scheduled to be renovated starting in late 2018. Our current renovation budget of $6.7M was established almost five years ago, and our community’s vision for our renovated branch has continued to evolve. The Friends now believe that an additional $3.5M would lead to a more strategic and comprehensive renovation that will take us much farther into the future.
Increasing our current budget could make the basement level into a usable programming and storage space (which requires an elevator), pay for a new roof (which will be needed within ten years), and some other upgrades. A budget of ~ $10M will also more closely align Roslindale’s renovation budget with other, similar branch renovations across the city. The additional work, which will result in a slightly longer project timeline, will also avoid the need for future renovation and closure in the near term. We believe that our request for additional funding represents a sound and strategic investment to ensure that our renovated branch will be ready to best serve our evolving community with creative and innovative programming and events.
What you can do:
- Call, email, or request a meeting with Mayor Walsh: [email protected] or call 617-635-4500
- Call, email, or request a meeting with the city councilors we are targeting: Annissa Essaibi George, Michelle Wu, Michael Flaherty, Ayanna Presley, Tim McCarthy, Matt O’Malley, and Andrea Campbell.
- Attend the BPL Trustees meeting at the Roslindale library on Thursday, March 8, at 5 pm: We need as many community members as possible to represent our vibrant community and our interest in increased funding.
- Letter Campaign: You can send an email directly to our public officials through our online letter campaign. Roslindale residents can send letters to Mayor Walsh and city councilors. (Click the links)
Yarn and Craft Book Sale
March 1-3
Roslindale Library
This year's keynote speaker is Julia Farwell-Clay, who is a Boston-area knitwear designer, author, blogger, and teacher. Her fun-to-knit, fun-to-wear knitting designs have been published in Pom Pom Quarterly, Knitty and Knitscene, and she has designed for Berroco, Classic Elite, and Harrisville Designs.
Thursday, March 1 Opening Night
5 pm Preview Sale
7 pm Keynote talk with Julia Farwell-Clay
8-9 pm Reception
Friday, March 2 - Sale Hours 10 am - 4 pm
Saturday, March 3 - Sale Hours 10 am - 1 pm
*Fill a bag for $5 on Saturday, 12 pm- 1 pm
For more information, visit the yarn sale's webpage
Race in Boston:
A Discussion with
The Boston Globe Spotlight Team
Wednesday, March 7, 7 - 9 PM
Roslindale Community Center
6 Cummins Hwy
The Friends will welcome Adrian Walker and Liz Kowalczyk, reporters from the Boston Globe Spotlight Team, to discuss their most recent investigative series on race in Boston. We will discuss the difficulties of talking about Boston's racial history, how much the city has progressed, and what can be done at a neighborhood level to make progress in understanding and equity.
A People's American History Lesson
Saturdays, March 3, 10, 17, 9:15 AM - 11 AM
We have been running a special, six-week series of book discussions about Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States, a sweeping narrative of America's untold stories. The Friends purchased limited copies of the book, which are available to borrow now from the Roslindale library on a first-come, first-served basis. We will discuss chapter 9 at the March 3 meeting. Please sign up for the series at the circulation desk or call (617) 323-2343.
More Information: friendsofroslindalelibrary.org/inclusion
Book Discussion: Queen Sugar
Saturday, March 10, 12 PM - 2 PM
Roslindale Library
We will discuss the acclaimed book which has also become a popular TV show produced by Oprah Winfrey and Ava Duvernay. Readers, booksellers, and critics alike are embracing Queen Sugar and cheering for its heroine, Charley Bordelon, an African-American woman and single mother struggling to build a new life amid the complexities of the contemporary South. The Friends purchased limited copies of the book, which patrons can borrow now from the Roslindale Library.
Language Matters with Rev. Irene Monroe
Thursday, March 29, 6:30 pm
The language we use in our daily lives has a direct impact on how we interact with others. This is especially true with the words with use for race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disabilities etc. What is acceptable and what terms change over time? What is the difference between black and African-American? What is Latinx or cisgender? Is it okay to say 'queer' and who has permission to say it? Is it more acceptable to say handicapped or persons with disabilities? Renowned theologian and media personality Rev. Irene Monroe will lead a discussion on the nuances of language.
Computer Literacy Drop-In Clinic
Monday, March 5, 10:30 am - 11:30 am
The Friends are offering free basic computer literacy support for those who need help with Microsoft Word, Excel or Powerpoint, email and Internet issues, social media, basic computer hardware and software Issues, and how to download BPL content onto your device. Bring your computer (if you have one) and questions for quick advice!
Tech Goes Home
Mondays and Wednesdays, March 5 - 28, from 12 pm – 2 pm
Laptop computer classes with an optional make-up session for participants on Tuesday, March 27. Registration is required. Contact the library for more information.
Stylized Snowman
Monday, March 5: 4:30-5:30
A fun, free arts and crafts program with Michele Brooks for ages 5-12. Please register at the circulation desk.
Rozzie Reads Poetry Discussion
Tuesday, March 6, 7 pm - 8:30 pm, Roslindale House, 120 Poplar St
Reading poems and discussing Afterland by Mai Der Vang
Boston Public Library Trustees Meeting
March 8, Thursday, 5:30 pm
Free Kids Voice Workshop
Saturday, March 10, 10-11 am
For kids ages 8-13. The workshop will be led by Maire Clement.
Amulet & Good Luck Charm All Ages Workshop
Tuesday, March 13, 3 pm - 4:30 pm
Create a small wearable bag of amulets and good luck charms. Materials will be provided. If you have a special trinket or charm of your own, bring it along. Stephanie Chase, Floater Librarian with the Boston Public Library, will teach participants in celebration of St. Patrick's Day.
Adult Book Discussion
Thursday, March 15, 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
We will be discussing The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown. Copies of the book are available at the circulation desk. Refreshments will be served, and newcomers are always welcome.
Rozzie Reads Poetry and Open Mic
Thursday, March 22, 7 pm, Roslindale House, 120 Poplar St
Featured poets: Nausheen Eusuf and Paula Bonnell
Gardening with Native Plants: Why it Matters
Saturday, March 24, 10:00 am
Talk led by Claudia Thompson, founder of Grow Native Massachusetts. Sponsored by the Friends and the Roslindale Branch Library.
Researching Trademarks
Thursday, March 29, 2 pm - 3 pm
Roslindale resident John Devine, a librarian from the Research Department at Copley Library, will do a presentation on trademarks.
Passover Family Program with Sagit Zilberman
Saturday, March 31, 9:30 am - 10:30 am
Children will sing as a group, learn easy Pesach (Passover) songs in Hebrew, dance, do body drumming, listen to inspiring instruments, and experience the Pesach (Passover) story with music. All families welcome.
Indoor Display Case: Selections from Teens Drawing Workshop Series
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