Roslindale Branch is Open!
Branch Hours
The Roslindale Branch is open Mondays - Wednesdays 10 AM - 6 PM; Thursdays 12 PM - 8 PM; Fridays 9 AM - 5 PM. The branch is scheduled to remain closed on Saturdays until February 5, when it will be open 9 AM - 2 PM. All BPL branches will remain closed on Saturdays until further notice.
Branch Programs
There is limited in-person programming and online programming will continue until further notice.
BPL Library Protocols
All branch libraries not currently under reconstruction are now open for in-person services. All branches follow the latest city and state public health guidance. While there will be no capacity limits or social distancing required, patrons using the library buildings will still need to wear masks since the library serves vulnerable populations. For more information, see https://www.bpl.org/news/health-and-safety-guidelines/.
BPL COVID-19 Resources
Looking for reliable information about COVID vaccines? The City of Boston has put together a resource guide to help answer your questions. As a reminder, the distribution of at-home COVID-19 tests at BPL locations has now ended.
Free Tax Preparation
The Kirstein Business Library at Central Library has teamed up with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program to offer free tax preparation drop-off services on Wednesdays starting February 2. Sign up here.
March + April Roslindale Book Ambassador
Jennifer Haigh’s new critically acclaimed novel, Mercy Street, is set at an embattled women’s health clinic during Boston’s Snowpocalypse, the unforgettable winter of 2015. Her earlier books include the novels Heat and Light, Faith, The Condition, Baker Towers and Mrs. Kimble, and the short-story collection News From Heaven (all available on our Local Author shelf). Her work has been recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Guggenheim Foundation, and the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and has been published in 18 languages. As the Roslindale Book Ambassador for March and April 2022, Ms. Haigh has shared some of her most cherished books with us on her virtual bookshelf. This program is a joint effort of Rozzie Bound and Friends of the Roslindale Branch Library.
Support Our Local Authors!
Two of our previous Book Ambassadors had books come out yesterday - Neema Avashia's Another Appalachia and Ladette Randolph's Private Way. Buy your books from Rozzie Bound today!
Celebrating Women's History Month
In honor of Women's History Month, we listed a variety of feminist classics and women’s history books in our virtual bookshelves for adults and young readers.
Join Rozzie Bound's Banned Book Club!
Rozzie Bound is starting up a banned book club to bring more awareness to book bannings in schools and libraries around the country. They created a special bookshelf with critically acclaimed literary masterpieces that, ironically, seek to expose systems of oppression, censorship, and thought control. If you would like to join or learn more about our Banned Book Club, please complete this brief Google Form.
Attention Local Authors!
Do you have a book coming out in 2022? Please keep us updated so that we can share the news with Rozzie residents in our newsletter and ask our partner at Rozzie Bound to link to the book online. Rozzie Bound generously shares a portion of sales with Friends. Email us at [email protected] the book title, author, format, ISBN, and a brief description.
Please help keep our Community Library Network supplied!
The Friends have a team of volunteers who restock the business-based and home-based libraries. 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.
Calling all newly installed little library owners!
The Friends maintains a map of available little libraries in Roslindale and if you recently installed your own, you may not be on it. If you would like to be listed, please email your address to [email protected]
Little Library Program at the Food Pantry Seeks Volunteers
Since early January 2021, the Friends have been setting up a Little Library at the Roslindale Food Pantry. The Pantry runs out of the Congregational Church (25 Cummins Highway) from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. every Saturday. The Pantry serves between 75 - 90 individuals/families every week. Before the Pantry opens, our volunteers set up a portable bookshelf and stock it with adult, young adult, early reader, and children’s books. The volunteer is responsible for returning to the church at 4:00 p.m. (at the close of the Pantry) to break down the Little Library and store the shelf and books. If you are interested in volunteering for this program, please e-mail Laura Sitterley at [email protected]. You do not need to commit to a certain number of Saturdays a month. Thank you!
BIPOC Author Preorders
As part of the ongoing conversation about improving equity in the publishing industry, we have worked with Rozzie Bound to create a virtual shelf featuring upcoming books by authors of color that you can preorder now. By preordering, you help drive sales and possible placement on bestseller lists and help publishers pay attention to and better support and uplift authors of color and their readership. The shelf currently lists a number of books from different genres coming out between now and October 2022 and is updated regularly.
Online Hatha Yoga for Active Adults
Thursdays, March 3 - 24, 6:45-7:45 pm.
Hosted by YogaHub, will take place The first two classes will be virtual. Participants can register online at bpl.org beginning today.
Online Adult Book Club Discussion
Thursday, March 3, 6:30-7:30 pm.
We will discuss The Library Book by Susan Orlean. The book reopens the unsolved mystery of the 1986 Los Angeles Public Library fire and its aftermath to showcase the larger, crucial role that libraries play in our lives. Copies of the book can be picked up and checked out at the Roslindale branch's front desk. Downloadable eBook and audiobook versions are available on BPL's Overdrive. Patrons can register by emailing [email protected]. A Zoom link will be sent to participants two days prior to the meeting.
Online Race and Inclusion Book Discussion:
The Yellow House
Saturdays, March 5, 12 & 26
9:15 - 11 AM (Morning) or 2 - 3:45 PM (Afternoon)
We will discuss Sarah M. Broom's The Yellow House, which tells a hundred years of her family and their relationship to home in a neglected area of one of America's most mythologized cities - New Orleans. This is a brilliant memoir of place, class, race, the seeping rot of inequality, and the internalized shame that often follows. It is a transformative, deeply moving story from an unparalleled new voice of startling clarity, authority, and power.
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 50% of proceeds from each book sold. You can find the virtual shelf here: https://bookshop.org/shop/rozziebound.
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 Roslindale Branch librarian Jennifer Hawes at [email protected]. Please write "Yellow House 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.
- Jennifer 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 Jennifer, please assume that you are not registered.
¡Con Salsa! – The History of Afro-Latin Music in the United States, Past, Present & Future (hybrid program - available for viewing on Zoom and in-person at the branch)
WBUR Radio announcer & producer José C. Massó joins us for a 10-part lecture series! This hybrid in-person and virtual series explores the nexus between music, politics, and national, cultural, and racial identity through recorded music and discussion.
Thursday, March 10 @ 6:30-7:30 pm Latin-Rock (Hosted by the Roslindale Branch)
Thursday, March 24 @ 6:30-7:30 pm Dominican immigration (1980’s) (Hosted by the Roslindale Branch)
How to attend via Zoom: https://boston-public-library.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_UUgeM2d2T1mJim0MdXOK1A
How to attend in person:
Due to COVID, there are reduced capacity limits. Once capacity is reached, no one else will be admitted to the program. All program attendees must wear masks covering the nose and mouth. Program performer will remove their mask during the program.
Lowell Lecture: Dr. Christine Carter
Monday, March 7, 6 - 7:30 PM, Central Library
Sociologist, author, and happiness expert, Dr. Carter in conversation with Boston Public Library President David Leonard will reveal how three surprising, science-based strategies can help us lead to our most joyful, productive, and meaningful lives. An audience Q&A session will follow the discussion.
This program will now happen in person at Central Library and over Zoom webinar. To attend in person, please follow the instructions on this calendar entry. To attend online, please register here.
Artist-in-Residence Program for Teens
Thursday, March 17 at 4:30-5:30 pm
Join the BPL Artist-in-Residence, LJ Baptiste for an in-person, intensive comics course! This 5-part course will give you the opportunity to take your knowledge and skills of this incredible medium to the next level. Explore the depths of comic creation as we deconstruct the processes and influence behind famed greats in the world of comics and manga and apply what we learn for our own new work in storytelling and creative artistry! In addition, a solid selection of quality art supplies is included. To register, email [email protected] or call 617-323-2343.
Online Rozzie Regulars Read Special Event
March 17, 7 pm
This special event will feature seven Rozzie Reads regulars Mike Ball, Brooks Beisch, Phyllis Bluhm, Queen Hodge, Maureen McElroy, Vivienne Shalom, and Sandee Storey. For link contact [email protected]
Knit/Crochet Circle
Tuesdays, 11 AM - 1 PM, Starting March 15
This group is back and in person at the library! Knitters and crocheters of all levels are welcome for this casual gathering.
Online Spanish Conversation Group
Saturdays, 11 AM - 12 PM
A casual conversation for Spanish speakers of all levels. Email [email protected] to get on the group's email list.
Online Preschool Storytime
Tuesdays, 4:30 PM
Children’s Librarian Celeste Bocchicchio-Chaudhri continues to run a virtual storytime program on Tuesday afternoons. The program is best for kids between the ages of 3 and 5. Each week Miss Celeste reads a few books and leads the kids in songs and fingerplays for early literacy. Please register for the Zoom event at www.tinyurl.com/bplpreschool. Curious about what we have been reading? Check out the Preschool Storytime booklist!
Bouncing Babies in Adams Park
Tuesdays, 10 AM
When the weather allows. If the forecast for 10:00 AM is at least 40 degrees, Miss Celeste will do storytime for babies birth to age 2 in Adam’s Park on Tuesday mornings. Miss Celeste reads a short book and leads families in songs, bounces, and rhymes for early literacy skills. She has a number of yoga mats available for seating, but feel free to bring your own blanket. Bundle up! Miss Celeste will hold storytime as long as it is not raining or below 40. To be added to the Bouncing Babies mailing list, email Celeste at [email protected]. Celeste will send updates about storytime cancellations.
Join Virtual Homework Assistance
Monday - Thursday, 3:30 - 5:30 PM
Zoom line: https://boston-public-library.zoom.us/my/bplhap
Please check back for updates. Additional languages will be announced.
Arabic: Monday & Tuesday
Spanish: Tuesday & Thursday
Vietnamese: Monday, Tuesday, & Wednesday
Future Readers Club
The Future Readers Club is for children ages birth to kindergarten and their caregivers, a club to support reading aloud to the very youngest children with a goal of reading 1000 books together before the child begins kindergarten. The Club includes programming like Preschool Storytime and Bouncing babies as well as an app to track the books you are reading with your little one and opportunities to receive free books to keep. We want your help to make the Future Readers Club even better! Please respond to our survey as we plan FRC programming for the fall and beyond. More info: bpl.org/future-readers-club.
BPL Online Resource Highlight: Costume and Set Design
The BPL has a special online exhibit featuring images from original costumes and set designs for a variety of operas and other stage productions.
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