November 2019 Library News and Events

Holiday Shopping with the Friends!
If you do any shopping on Amazon this holiday season, please consider registering with our Friends' AmazonSmile account.  For eligible purchases at AmazonSmile, the Friends receive 0.5 percent of the purchase price year-round.  There is no additional cost to the Friends or to AmazonSmile customers. You will see eligible products marked “Eligible for donation” on their product detail pages. The shopping experience is identical to Amazon.com with the added benefit that the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate that percentage to the Friends!  The percentage might seem minuscule, but this adds up if you are a regular Amazon customer who makes purchases several times a week or month, especially during the holidays.

Of course, if you just want to donate directly to the Friends, you can do so on our donation page or become a Friends member.  Every dollar and cent counts!

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

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.

Public Libraries and the 2020 Census
In 2020, the Census will be conducted primarily online for the first time. Like past e-government efforts, this will likely impact libraries and libraries' technology resources as staff work to assist people in participating in the Census. The 2020 Census also presents an opportunity to increase public awareness and use of Census data. To best position libraries to support our communities in the 2020 Census, the American Library Association is engaging with the Census Bureau and other stakeholders to ensure that libraries are informed and represented in the policy discussions and planning process. ALA is advocating for a fair, accurate, and inclusive Census that recognizes the roles libraries will play in this vital civic effort.  The 2020 Census will also help determine library funding, redistricting in some communities, and provide relevant data about libraries that will be used by researchers, policy makers, businesses, and nonprofits.

Learn more about the ALA's efforts here.

Support Tracy Wiggins
Tracy is very grateful for all the love and support for her family in the last few weeks.  You can continue to send your donations to https://www.gofundme.com/support-tracy-wiggins.  We will send another email if Tracy needs special assistance from the community.

Rozzie Reads One Book!
The Friends of the Roslindale Library will host another community-wide Rozzie Reads One Book while the library is undergoing renovation. Help us decide what to read! Here are the general criteria:

--Local author preferred
--Possibilities for multigenerational programs
--Available in paperback

Please recommend a book on our nomination form.

Volunteers Wanted
We are looking for volunteers for a number of Friends' and library programming, including new members for our decoration and race and inclusion committees.  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 any BPL branch library!

Books about Native American Heritage
November is Native American Heritage Month.  Check out this list of books either by prominent Native American authors and/or about the Native American experience.

Books about Veterans
During this time of the year, we also give thanks to the men and women who have served in the armed forces.  Check out this list of books either written by veterans and/or about their experiences.

Words of Wisdom

Access to knowledge is the superb, the supreme act of truly great civilizations. Of all the institutions that purport to do this, free libraries stand virtually alone in accomplishing this. - Toni Morrison

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!