May 2020 Library News & Events
All programs are free of charge unless noted otherwise. Learn more at friendsofroslindalelibrary.org.
Online Resources at BPL.org
There are many ways to use the Boston Public Library while it is closed. 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, Kanopy, 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 or physical library card. Send your questions to [email protected].
A note on borrowed and donated books: The BPL is unable to have patrons return borrowed books at this time. Please don't return them at any dropoff boxes at any of the branch libraries until the library system reopens. The BPL is waiving all late fines for all materials until at least June 30. Also, don't leave any donated books on the ground outside any branch libraries. Instead, please leave your gently-used donated books in any little library in the Roslindale Community Library Network.
Online Race and Inclusion Book Discussion:
How To Be An Antiracist
Saturdays, May 2, 9 and 16
Morning (9:15-11 AM) and Afternoon (1:30-3:15 PM) Sessions
Our planned May discussion on Ibram X. Kendi's book, How to be an Antiracist, will now be done remotely on Zoom. Antiracist is about understanding and uprooting racism and inequality in our society—and in ourselves. The discussion will be led by local educator Josh Frank. We would usually recommend borrowing the ebook version from bpl.org. However, because there is a long waitlist for the ebook there, we encourage you to buy either the ebook or the physical book from our local independent bookstore Rozzie Bound in its online bookshop at https://bookshop.org/shop/rozziebound. Customers will have to pay for shipping (which takes about 5 days), but all books are sold at a 10% discount. Rozzie Bound is also donating sale proceeds to support its April community partner RoslindaleCares.com, a mutual aid group created by RISE to help the community deal with COVID-19.
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 1:30-3:15 PM.
To register please email JP Branch librarian Laura Pattison at [email protected]
---You only need to register once for all three dates, even if 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.
These online discussions will happen on all the dates, even if the library miraculously reopens in May.
The discussion is co-sponsored by the Friends of JP Branch Library.
Online Adult Book Discussion: Equal Rites
Thursday, May 21, 1-2 PM
Roslindale Online Adult Book Discussion will be held on WebEx. We will discuss Equal Rites by Terry Pratchett. The ebook is available for checkout on Hoopla. Contact Becky and she will send you the WebEx link. You will need your library card and a pin to get the book through Hoopla. Please contact Becky at [email protected] if you want to participate and/or need assistance with Hoopla.
Facebook Live Bouncing Babies Storytime
Fridays, 11 - 11:30 AM
Babies from 0-2 are invited to join us for Bouncing Babies Storytime with our children's librarian Celeste Bocchicchio-Chaudri! The storytime will be streamed live on our Facebook Page every Friday. If you cannot make it to the live event, the video will stay up on our Facebook page for a while. Please have a scarf, washcloth, cloth napkin, receiving blanket, or another small piece of cloth handy for storytime scarf songs.
Everywhere Book Fest
May 1 & 2
The Everywhere Book Fest is an online celebration of children's and young adult authors, books, and readers that brings the book festival experience to everyone! On May 1-2, the book festival will open its virtual doors and unveil two free full days of live and pre-recorded sessions with your favorite picture book, middle grade, and young adult authors. Go to everywherebookfest.com.
Preschool Storytime
Monday, May 4, 4 PM
Families with children ages 3-5 are encouraged to tune in for a virtual storytime with Ms. Celeste. Watch it on the Roslindale Branch Library Facebook Page.
Ask a Pediatrician—Parenting during COVID-19
Wednesday, May 6, 3 PM
This is not a Roslindale specific program, but Roslindale patrons are welcome to join the Central Children’s Library for a virtual information session with pediatricians on parenting during COVID-19. We have teamed up with pediatricians from local hospitals to host interactive online sessions aimed at providing helpful advice and addressing parents and family concerns. Our first session will focus on positive parenting, behavioral issues, and media use during COVID. Please email [email protected] with questions or concerns related to these topics and we will try to address them during the session. Beyond that, we will provide general advice and helpful resources for parents struggling during this time. You can find more information on facebook.com/BPLChildren.
Online Homework Help
The BPL has moved the homework help program online! Online Homework Help is available Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. Open to students in grades K-8 with no registration required. There is a limit of 15 students logged in at one time. Go to uberconference.com/bplhomeworkhelp.
BPS Chromebook and Hotspot Access
Boston Public Schools has distributed more than 30,000 Chromebooks to BPS students since schools closed. Access to adequate technology is essential for our students to keep up with their home learning. If your child is still in need of a Chromebook, visit bostonpublicschools.org/laptop to request one, or have them reach out to their school if they need a mobile hotspot.
Rozzie Reads Poetry and Open Mic
Sending best wishes for health and safety to all those who attend and participate in our monthly series. For now, the series is on hold. You will be notified when it becomes safe to resume. In the meantime, keep writing. We look forward to hearing the poems you are creating.
Online Spanish Conversation Group
This group is currently at capacity and can't accept any new participants right now. We will reopen for new participants soon.
Remote Resources for Families and Youth
The children’s librarians across the BPL have been working hard to compile information and resources for families with children at home due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Remote Resources for Families and Youth libguide includes tips for talking to kids about Covid-19, lists of ebooks for children and teens available through the BPL, DIY storytimes, links to special read aloud and draw along with children’s authors and illustrators, and more. The DIY storytimes include links to YouTube videos of favorite storytime songs as well as links to specific picture book ebooks to check out from the library. The guide will continue to grow so check back frequently!
Ebooks for kids ready for chapter books
Celeste created a booklist of chapter books available as ebooks through the library. These books are great for second and third graders who are starting to read chapter books independently, but also make a fun read-aloud for the whole family.
Library Celeste YouTube Channel
Celeste has also created a personal YouTube channel for recording favorite storytime songs and activities. This is a side project, not part of her official work with the Boston Public Library and the channel is not affiliated with the BPL. However, she thought some of you might be interested in checking out Library Celeste!
Facebook Updates
Becky will be posting on Roslindale Branch Library Facebook Page to give you links to some fun and/or informative options available online through the BPL website. Please check the site and "like" us to keep updated. You will need to access the BPL.org website with your library card and pin or sign up for an online ecard to experience many of the options.
Send Us Your Recommendations!
Since many of you are social distancing at home, you may have found more time for reading or using the many free online resources offered on bpl.org. Send us your recommendations for any books you are reading or online resources you are using. Maybe you are reading a book you found in one of our little libraries around Roslindale, or you watched a great movie on Kanopy, or learning a new language on Mango, or read an international newspaper on Press Reader, or acquiring a new skill through the BPL's Lynda.com portal. You can either send us a list of what you are reading/using, write a short review, or send us a picture of what you are reading at [email protected]. We will post them in the next newsletter and on our website.
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