March 2020 Library News & Events
All programs are free of charge unless noted otherwise. Learn more at friendsofroslindalelibrary.org.
Yarn and Craft Book Sale
March 5-7
West Roxbury Branch, 1961 Centre St
- Thursday, March 5 Opening Night, 5-8 pm Preview Sale
- Friday, March 6 - Sale Hours 10 am - 4 pm
- Saturday, March 7 - Sale Hours 10 am - 3 pm ($5 per bag!)
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! Learn more on the event's webpage. Co-sponsored by the Friends of the West Roxbury Branch Library.
Roslindale Community Library Network to be featured on Chronicle!
That's right; we're TV stars! Our little library initiative will be featured on WCVB Channel 5's Chronicle this Friday, March 6 at 7:30 PM. The episode will be dedicated to book culture in New England. Watch a preview on Chronicle's website.
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.
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. 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. To learn more about upcoming events, go to our Race and Inclusion webpage. Co-sponsored by the Friends of JP Branch Library.
A Palace for the People: Copley Library Art and Architecture Tour
Saturday, April 4 at 1 PM
Copley Library, 700 Boylston St
Did you know that our own Boston Public Library is the first publicly funded lending library in the United States? The beautiful 1895 building—which we now refer to as the Central Library of the BPL—was never intended to be a utilitarian space simply constructed to warehouse books. The library’s architect, Charles Follen McKim designed a “palace for the people” and filled it with inspiring works of painting, sculpture, and craft. Join us on Saturday, April 4 at 1:00 p.m. for a 60-minute tour of the Central Library in Copley Square. We will meet in the vestibule of the McKim building, accessed from the Dartmouth Street entrance. The group will be limited to 30 people. Please RSVP for this tour at [email protected].
Conversation with City Councilor Ricardo Arroyo
Thursday, April 9, 7 - 9 PM
Roslindale House, 120 Poplar St
The Friends invited Ricardo Arroyo to speak to the community about his legislative agenda and what public libraries mean to him. Arroyo is the newly-elected city councilor for District Five, and he previously worked as a public defender for the Committee for Public Counsel Services. Co-sponsored by The Friends of the Hyde Park Branch Library.
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 or subject expertise you would like to share with the community? This is a great way to meet new people in the neighborhood who have similar interests. Sign up for the human library here.
Voting on Tuesday?
If you live in Ward 19, Precincts 10 and 13, which used to vote at the Roslindale Branch Library before the renovation, your voting will still take place at the Roslindale Community Center at 6 Cummins Highway for the March 3 election, according to the Boston Elections Department last Friday. For updated information, please contact the Election Department at 617-635-8683.
Participate in the Census!
Also, don't forget to fill out and send back your Census forms starting March 12. Your participation in the Census helps to support many resources you depend on in our community like the Roslindale Branch! Learn more about how the Census supports public libraries nationwide on the American Library Association's website. The Friends have been in contact with local 2020 Census partnership specialist Pedro De Jesus, and he would love to engage more with the community on this issue. If you have any questions or concerns about the Census process, we can put you in touch with him if contact us at [email protected]. He can conduct these conversations in both English and Spanish.
Upcoming Rozzie Bound Popups
Our friends at Rozzie Bound will host popup bookstores on the following dates at Turtle Swamp Brew Hall in the Substation, starting from 11 am to 5 pm: March 21 & 23; April 11 & 12; May 9 & 10. Get more information at rozziebound.wordpress.com.
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, March 19, 12:30-1:30 PM
Roslindale House, 120 Poplar Street
We are discussing The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer. Come to discuss the book and to enjoy refreshments.
Rozzie Reads Poetry and Open Mic
Thursday, March 26, 7-9 PM
Roslindale House, 120 Poplar Street
Featured readers: Kathleen McCann and David P. Miller
Note: Due to a flood at the Roslindale Community Center, we have had to move our storytime programs. We will have Bouncing Babies and Music and Movement at the BCYF Roche Family Community Center, 1716 Centre St, West Roxbury until the Roslindale Community Center reopens. Please check our Facebook page or bpl.org for up to date location information for our programs.
Weekly Children's Programs:
Music and Movement/ Música y Movimiento
Tuesdays at 10 am/Todos Los Martes a las Diez
Roche Community Center
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
Roche 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 Rogerson Communities and the Jamaica Plain Branch Library for hosting our programs during the renovation!
Programs at West Roxbury Branch:
Teens Ice Cream Making with Sherry Eskin
Thursday, March 12, 4-5 PM
Please register with Becky. [email protected]
Teen Open House
Friday, March 13, 2-4:45 PM
Join Becky and Teen Outreach Librarian Maty Cropley to discuss library programs and outreach possibilities and share your ideas. Open House will be held on the 2nd floor in the Teen area.
St. Patricks Shamrock Bead Keychains
Children and Teens Workshop
Monday, March 16, 4-5 PM
Learn how to create your own shamrock bead keychain.
Painting Animals Adult Workshop with painter Judith Robichaud
March 21, 10 AM-1:30 PM (with 12-12:30 PM lunch break)
Using Acrylic Paints, Judith will teach participants how to paint animals. Ten person limit. Registration Required.
[email protected]
West Roxbury Children's Librarian Liz will be starting a Lego Club at West Roxbury Branch on alternate Thursdays at 4 PM on March 19.
Roslindale Branch Head Librarian Becky will be temporarily working at the Mattapan Branch Library starting March 16.
Coming Soon
A Palace for the People BPL Tour
April 4
Conversation with Ricardo Arroyo
April 9
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.
Story Club Boston Fundraiser
We raised over $200 at our fundraiser with Story Club Boston on February 6. Thanks again to Distraction Brewing Company for hosting the event!
February Vacation Week Activities
The kids had a great time with performances by Li Liu and Valerie Stephens. Thanks again for the vacation week programming funding made possible by the Highland Street Foundation. Thanks also to the West Roxbury Branch for hosting the All About Anansi event at the last minute!
Thanks to our Friends!
We would like to thank our neighboring Friends groups in Hyde Park, West Roxbury, and Jamaica Plain, for their ongoing contributions of books for restocking our little libraries. We couldn’t do it without them! We would also like to thank the Citywide Friends for sharing the proceeds of their February book sale with us - an event that Roslindale volunteers helped staff. Their sales at Copley are the first Saturday of every even-numbered month.
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 Irish Heritage
St. Patrick's Day is almost here, and we are celebrating Irish literary traditions. Check out this booklist that features literature either written by well-known Irish authors and/or about the Irish experience.
Books about Women's History
March is Women's History Month. This is a booklist featuring books by prominent female authors and/or books about the experiences of women.
Books about Arts and Crafts
In honor of the Yarn and Craft Book Sale, here is a booklist about your favorite handicrafts.
Words of Wisdom
"You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” ― Maya Angelou, Letter to My Daughter
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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