Blog
May 01

May 2019 Library News and Events

May 2019 Library News & Events

All programs take place at the Roslindale Branch Library and are free of charge unless noted otherwise. The Library will be closed on Monday, May 27 in observance of Memorial Day. Call the branch at 617-323-2343 for more information, go to friendsofroslindalelibrary.org.

Tracy Wiggins Update

A Message From Tracy Wiggins
I’ve been feeling lost the last few days. Trying to figure things out, how to start my life over, make sure my family is good, take care of my health and find my sparkle all at the same damn time! It really hit me earlier today just how blessed I am. I have only ONE choice! Put my sparkle cape on and get a grip on things, nothing more, nothing less! Because of YOU, I can say, I’ve got this! Thanks so much to everyone from the bottom of my heart for ALL of your support! I can’t explain how much it means to us! Please forgive me, if I have not returned calls or messages, sometimes it is overwhelming and I remove myself emotionally to stay healthy physically and mentally. But please remember, my heart acknowledges every kind word and gesture.

Love & Sparkles
Tracy Wiggins

You can continue to send your donations to https://www.gofundme.com/support-tracy-wiggins. We will send out another email if Tracy has any other special requests that would need community support.

Author Talk with Lorenz J. Finison
Thursday, May 2, 6 - 7:45 PM
Lorenz J. Finison argues that bicycling witnessed a renaissance in Boston in the 1970s as concerns over physical and environmental health coalesced. Finison traces the city's cycling history, chronicling the activities of environmental and social justice activists, stories of women breaking into male-dominated professions by becoming bike messengers and mechanics, and challenges faced by African-American cyclists. Making use of newspaper archives, newly discovered records of local biking organizations, and interviews with Boston-area bicyclists and bike builders, Boston's Twentieth-Century Bicycling Renaissance brings these voices and battles back to life. Co-sponsored by RozzieBikes and MassBikes.

6:00 pm – light refreshments and gathering
6:30 pm – formal remarks by the author
7:15 pm – book signing (books will be available for purchase)

James Baldwin/Ta-Nehisi Coates Mashup Book Discussion

Saturdays, May 4, 11 & 18, 9:15 - 11 AM

James Baldwin and Ta-Nehisi Coates have both made significant contributions to how race is discussed in America. In this special comparative book discussion, we will look at The Fire Next Time and Between The World and Me, and what lessons we can learn from them about past, current, and future race relations in this country. The discussions will be led by local educator Josh Frank and books are available to borrow from the library now.

Rozzie Reads Poetry and Open Mic

Thursday, May 23, 7-9 PM

Roslindale House, 120 Poplar St

This special open mic will feature Porsha Olayiwola, the new poet laureate for the City of Boston, and Fred Marchant.

Knit/Crochet Circle

Wednesdays, 1:30-3 PM

Come to the library to craft and have a pleasant conversation with your neighbors in this weekly drop-in social group. All levels of skill are welcome.

Spring Singing Lessons with Maire Clement

Wednesdays, May 1, 8 & 15, 3-4:30 PM

This class is full and no longer accepting new participants.

Blossom Girls Program 

Mondays, May 6 & 13, 2:30-3:45 PM 

The group is full and no longer accepting new participants.

Teen Crafts with Sherry Eskin: T-Shirt Decorating

Tuesday, May 7, 3-4 PM  

For ages 12 and up

Crafternoon at the Library with Sherry Eskin 

Monday, May 13, 4:30-5:30 PM 

For ages 5-11.  We will make treasure boxes.

Adult Book Discussion

Thursday, May 16, 1:30-2:30 PM

We will be discussing The Good, Good Pig by Sy Montgomery. Newcomers welcome. Enjoy refreshments. Meet New Friends.

Weekly Children's Programming

Preschool Movies
Mondays, 10:30 am

Toddler Time
Tuesdays, 10:30 am

Creative Drama
Tuesdays, 4-5 pm
(Time may be changed to 4:30)

Lego Club
Thursdays  4:30-5:30  pm
(for children ages 4 and older, with caregivers )

Homework Help
Mondays - Thursdays, 3:30- 5:30 pm

Weekly Adult Programming

English Conversation Group
Thursdays, 6 pm - 7:30 pm

Spanish Conversation Group
Saturdays, 11 am - 12 pm

Coming Soon!

We will be at the Roslindale Village Farmer's Market
June 29, July 27 & August 10

Roslindale Branch Closing
This Summer!

Roslindale Community Libraries!

Thanks to the efforts of carpentry instructor Stan Phillips, local architects Tim Smith and Hank Keating, students and staff at the Boston Architectural College, and the participants in the Building Pathways pre-apprentice program, we now have 15 little libraries of varying designs to give away.  Thanks also for the $1,000 grant from Love Your Block from the City of Boston to help defray our costs.  

Decisions about where the libraries will go will be made in May based on their geographic spread and foot traffic. The Boy Scouts in Local Troop One will help with installing the libraries in the next few months.  We hope to hold a workshop in building little libraries sometime in the future for those who applied and did not get one as part of this initiative.

NEEDED: We have ten businesses who have also agreed to host bookshelves of used books for circulation in the community and could use small bookshelves and bookcases.  Please email [email protected] if you have one to donate.

More Library Maker Activities!

We held two successful showcases of maker activities this spring and would like to recruit more volunteers so we can host more of these events around the community during the renovation and at the library again when it reopens.  We invite potential volunteers to come to the Turtle Swamp Brewing bierhalle at the substation on Friday, May 17 from 6:30 -8 pm to do a maker activity and talk about what volunteering would entail.  Bring friends, and your own food (unless they have a pop-up going that night).

Also, the library staff has agreed to pilot the loaning of a maker kit from the front desk for in-library use in the month of May.  We will post more information about the activity at the branch.  Please try it out and let us know what you think.  Should we do more of these?

Join the Friends Race and Inclusion Committee!

We have heard how much you appreciate the programming we have been offering including the Globe Spotlight Team discussion, presentations by Hoda El-Sharkawi and Rev. Irene Monroe, and our popular book discussions with Josh Frank. We also have created book lists and reviews. Our programming will not stop once the library building closes for the renovation and we have more ideas about celebrating and uniting our community. If you are interested in helping to plan and produce educational events, discussions, and presentations related to race, ethnicity, religion, and culture with us, email [email protected].  

Read 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 book suggestions and reviews to [email protected].

Limited call for book donations prior to renovation closing

The Roslindale branch is expected to close this summer.  Until then, the Friends could use some book donations for our daily sale shelves in the rotunda.  Please bring in small batches of your recent fiction and non-fiction in good condition.  Give your donations to the staff at the circulation desk.  All sales from books will support the library.

Volunteers Wanted

We are looking for volunteers for a number of Friends' and library programming.  Please view the job descriptions on VolunteerMatch.  If you are interested in any of the positions, contact us at [email protected]. 

Books of the Month
Each month we feature themed booklists grouped for adults, teenagers/young adults, and children, and can be borrowed from the Roslindale Library!

Books about Asian Pacific Islander Heritage
May is Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month.  Check out this list of books that are either written by Asian authors and/or written about the Asian-American experience.

Books about Motherhood
In honor of Mother's Day, we compiled a list of books that are all about our relationships with our moms!

Words of Wisdom
My mother... she is beautiful, softened at the edges and tempered with a spine of steel. I want to grow old and be like her.  ― Jodi Picoult

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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