March 2021 Library News & Events
All programs are free of charge unless noted otherwise. Learn more at friendsofroslindalelibrary.org.
BPL To-Go App
Patrons are now able to pick up physical items at the Boston Public Library with the new BPL To Go program. Using the library website, phone line (617.536.5400), or the BPL To Go iPhone app, patrons will be able to “order” (place a hold on) items such as books, DVDs, and CDs.
BPL COVID-19 Resources
Looking for reliable information about COVID vaccines? The BPL has put together a resource guide to help answer your questions.
Renovation Update
Our children’s librarian continues to work on ordering books for the grand opening of the new Roslindale Branch. This month she is working on children’s fiction, science fiction, and mysteries.
Craft and Hobby Online Book Fair!
The Bad News: We are not doing a yarn sale this year.
The Great News: We are doing an online craft and hobby book fair instead!
The Friends are collaborating with Rozzie Bound to create an online book shopping experience just for crafters and hobbyists. We have a list of nearly 100 books about knitting, crochet, sewing, and other crafts. If fiber arts aren't your thing, we got you covered! We also have books on the list about art, design, cooking, travel, sports, gaming, antique collecting, writing, and more! Rozzie Bound will donate 50% of all sales from the list to the Friends between March 1 - 15, and one shopper who buys a book from the list will be randomly selected to receive a $25 gift card from Rozzie Bound. Get shopping today: https://bookshop.org/shop/rozziebound
Books about Women's History
We also created booklists for adults and young readers celebrating Women's History Month at Rozzie Bound. The list includes both feminist classics, as well as books by and about women making history now. The Friends receive 20% of sales on each book sold from the lists.
Books at the Food Pantry!
Our Little Library subcommittee has also created special lists of books in Spanish and Haitian Creole on Rozzie Bound's website. Thanks to a donation from Rozzie Bound, some of these books were purchased and placed in a special bookcase at Roslindale Congregational Church's food pantry, which has been available every Saturday 2 - 4 PM since January 10. The bookcase has become a hit with pantry clients! They are also working with the group that runs the Community Fridge on the corner of Firth and Washington to create a permanent Little Library at that site. When neighbors access food, they can also access books. We welcome donations from the community to support multicultural literature. You can make a monetary donation, or if you have multicultural books you want to donate, please contact Laura Gang at [email protected].
Adult Books in Haitian Creole
Children's Books in Haitian Creole
Children's Books in Spanish
Online Race and Inclusion Book Discussion:
White Rage
Saturdays, March 6, 13 and 20
9:15 - 11 AM (Morning) or 2 - 3:45 PM (Afternoon)
We will discuss Carol Anderson's book, White Rage. Carefully linking voting rights and other historical flashpoints when social progress for African Americans was countered by deliberate and cleverly crafted opposition, Anderson pulls back the veil that has long covered actions made in the name of protecting democracy, fiscal responsibility, or protection against fraud, rendering visible the long lineage of white rage. The discussion will happen on Zoom and will be led by local educator Josh Frank. You can get the book from bpl.org or an online bookstore like Rozzie Bound, which has the book listed on the Friends "Black Histories and Futures" adult virtual bookshelf. The Friends will receive 20% of proceeds from each book sold.
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 "White Rage Book Discussion" in 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.
This discussion is co-sponsored by the Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch Library.
Activist Kids Book Club
Saturdays, 4 PM
Through April 24, the Activist Kids Book Club will focus on a different page in A is for Activist, read other picture books about the issues and movements discussed in the book, learn about kid activists throughout history and today, and talk about what we can do to make our world a little more just for everyone. This group is best for kids ages 6 and up. We will send out a Zoom link on the day of the program. Curious about what we have been reading? Check out the Activist Kids Book Club book list. Register for the whole Activist Kids Book Club here: https://bit.ly/35KunCy.
On February 6, we will be welcoming a special guest. Levi is a 13-year-old activist who is one of 21 young people represented by Our Children's Trust in a lawsuit suing the U.S. Government over its inaction regarding climate change. Levi and his fellow plaintiffs believe that young people in the country have a constitutional right to a healthy environment. Levi will talk about his role in the case and his work as a climate activist. Questions can be directed to the Roslindale Branch Children's Librarian Miss Celeste at [email protected].
Rozzie Reads Poetry and Open Mic
Thursday, March 18, 7 PM
To sign up, contact [email protected]
Featured guests: Dorothy Derifield and Jennifer Jean
New month's event: April 15: Bruce Weigl and Cammy Thomas
Preschool Storytimes
Tuesdays, 4:30 PM
Miss Celeste kicked off Preschool Storytime this year with an alphabet-themed series. Each week she introduces a puppet version of the letter of the week and gives the opportunity to guess the character’s favorite food, animal, and other items. This helps promote letter recognition and phonetic awareness. We read stories and sing songs to develop early literacy skills in a fun and playful way. Please go to https://tinyurl.com/BPL-
Online Spanish Conversation Group
Saturdays, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Join this casual Spanish conversation group for all levels. It is currently accepting new members into the group. To join, email [email protected] with "Spanish Group" in the subject line.
Help keep our Community Library Network supplied!
The Friends have a team of volunteers who restock the business-based and home-based libraries that we put up in anticipation of the library being closed for renovation. What a help they have been for our community during these COVID times too! BUT we need more book donations to keep the libraries stocked. Please drop off gently used, recent, fiction, non-fiction, and children’s books at 631 South St. or email [email protected] for a pickup.
Online ESL Classes
The BPL offers various online courses for those learning English:
Beginner Class for Spanish Speakers, Fridays, 10:30-11:30 am
High Beginner/Elementary Class, Fridays, 11:30am-12:30pm
Intermediate Class, Wednesdays, 1-2:15 pm
Advanced Class, Tuesdays, 1-2:15 pm
Reading and Discussion Class, Thursdays, 11 am-12:30 pm
Conversation Classes, Mondays, 3-4:15pm, Tuesdays, 5:30-6:45pm, Wednesdays, 7-8:30pm, Fridays, 1-2:15pm
Students can register by emailing [email protected] or calling 617-859-2446. They also have an online ESL Singing Class with the Back Bay Chorale, Tuesdays, 10:30-11:30 pm, students can register at https://bbcboston.org/bridges/esl. The BPL is partnering with St. Mark Community Education Program to offer online Citizenship classes. The classes have already started, but students can sign up for the waitlist at https://www.stmarksesol.org/copy-of-classes-resources.
BPL makes historical images available for use in Wikipedia
In celebration of Wikipedia’s 20th anniversary on January 15th, Boston Public Library has uploaded more than 8,000 historical photographs from its archival collections to Wikimedia Commons. These images include some of the library’s most important photographic collections and contribute to the single largest batch of uploads ever contributed to Wikimedia Commons. By uploading these public domain images, BPL is making them available so that they can be freely used to enhance Wikipedia articles, re-printed in publications, or incorporated in student projects and papers. Read more about it here.
New Reevx Labs Financial Series for Small Businesses
The BPLs Kirstein Business Library & Innovation Center (KBLIC) is teaming up with Reevx Labs for three special episodes of BPL's virtual roundtable series, "Coffee With KBLIC". Together, Reevx Labs and KBLIC will offer free resources and advice to small businesses and individuals through discussions on personal finance, small business and non-profit banking needs, and banking for veterans. These discussions will be hosted on the BPL's YouTube channel and led by KBLIC Adult Technology Coordinator, Amber De Angelis MLS, MBA. The next event occurs on March 8 and will look at finance issues for veterans.p. No oversized books or textbooks, please. Many thanks.
Children’s Book Bundles
Roslindale Children’s Librarian Celeste Bocchicchio-Chaudhri and Jamaica Plain Children’s Librarian Barbara Rhodes are working together to create custom book bundles for kids to pick up at the Jamaica Plain library. We know it is hard to know what books to choose for your kids without browsing the shelves. Since the library buildings will remain closed for the time being due to escalating COVID cases in the city, book bundles are the next best thing to browsing! Fill out one of our request forms, or email the information to [email protected], and we will prepare a stack of books just for your kid!
After-hours Book Drops Are Now Open
While the Roslindale Book drop is still unavailable due to the ongoing construction, the after-hours book drops at the other city branches are now open. You can return books at your convenience.
Virtual Homework Assistance Program
The Boston Public Library’s Homework Assistance Program has gone virtual this year. Students in grades K-8 can meet with high achieving high school students on Zoom to get help with school assignments. There are four different Zoom rooms for different areas of the city. Roslindale is in Zoom 3. The Homework Assistant Program can be accessed via computer, smartphone, tablet, or telephone.
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