October 2020 Library News & Events
All programs are free of charge unless noted otherwise. Learn more at friendsofroslindalelibrary.org.
Late Fee Moratorium
The Boston Public Library is extending its moratorium on assessing late fines through the end of the year. The BPL instituted the moratorium in March in the wake of the pandemic, originally planning to reinstate fines in September, but has decided to continue the practice in the coming months. This extension applies to all adult library cardholders at all BPL branches. Patrons across the library system under the age of 18 are already exempt from late fines. Read more about it here.
New WiFi Hotspots
The Boston Public Library has invested in new wifi hotspots that can be checked out from the library. If you do not have internet access at home you can check out a hotspot for three weeks. The hotspots have unlimited data and can support up to 15 devices. You can place a hold on a hotspot online or by calling your closest library branch. Since the Roslindale branch is closed for construction, you can place a hold to pick up a hotspot at Jamaica Plain (617) 524-2053 or West Roxbury (617) 325-3147, or any other branch that is convenient.
BPL Anti-Racist Working Group
Our children's librarian Celeste Bocchicchio-Chaudhri is part of an informal anti-racist working group that has been working with BPL President David Leonard to reflect on the library’s role and take action for racial justice. The group worked with Leonard on early drafts of the BPL’s Racial Equity Commitment and Action Plan, which is now published on the BPL website. They have also purchased Black Lives Matter signs and displayed them at all the open BPL branches (Because of the construction at the Roslindale Branch, there isn't any space to display a sign at our branch). The Library administration has gotten some negative feedback regarding the signs, but they continue to stand with their Black colleagues and the communities they serve. The BPL administration and City Hall would welcome messages of support as well.
The Friends of Roslindale Library has also been working on these equity issues for the last four years through our Race and Inclusion initiative, which plans educational events, discussions, and presentations related to race, ethnicity, religion, and culture. All of these events are nonpartisan and we welcome everyone to attend, regardless of race, gender, age, nationality, sexual orientation, ability, political affiliation, or ideological differences! Check out our upcoming events at the Race and Inclusion group page.
Online Rozzie Reads One Book!
Little Fires Everywhere
Sund, October 18, 3 PM
On your mark, get set, go! And we’re off to Roslindale’s third Community Read, Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng! The Roslindale Library is closed for renovation and most of us are staying close to home but the goals of reading a book together are to get our neighborhood talking and communicating with each other and we can still do this. Little Fires Everywhere is a riveting novel that traces the intertwined fates of the picture-perfect Richardson family and the enigmatic mother and daughter who unexpectedly disrupt their lives. It was also made into a Hulu series recently starring Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington.
RSVP for this event at [email protected] with "Rozzie Reads One Book" in the subject line by October 16. Two attendees will win a book of their choice worth up to $25 from FORL partner, Rozzie Bound!
How To Get The Book:
1. Borrow the Book - We purchased copies of the book and the JP Branch is holding 10 copies just for this event, where you can borrow one, without an appointment, during these weekday hours: Mon-Thurs: 2-5:30 and Fridays 1-4:30. To pick up a book, patrons should call the posted number when you get to the front door of the branch. You can just give the title and staff will know where to find the books. If anyone can't make the preferred afternoon times, they can come on weekday mornings after 10 am. There is a long waitlist for the ebook on bpl.org.
2. Roslindale Community Library Network - We purchased 20 copies of the book and placed them in little libraries around the neighborhood. You can find your nearest little library with our map. Also, if you have a copy you don’t need anymore, please consider passing it along to a little library near you.
3. Rozzie Bound - You can purchase the book in many formats at our local independent bookstore, Rozzie Bound! It is also listed on their Racial Justice bookshelf, where 100% of proceeds will be donated to the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute.quity issues for the last four years through our Race and Inclusion initiative, which plans educational events, discussions, and presentations related to race, ethnicity, religion, and culture. All of these events are nonpartisan and we welcome everyone to attend, regardless of race, gender, age, nationality, sexual orientation, ability, political affiliation, or ideological differences! Check out our upcoming events at the Race and Inclusion group page.
Kids Activists Book Club
Saturdays, 4 PM
The Activist Kids Book Club will continue to meet on Saturdays at 4 PM throughout the month. To date, the book club has talked about Black Lives Matter, income inequality, the labor movement, and met 12-year-old drag kid and LGBTQ rights advocate Desmond is Amazing. Children’s librarian Celeste Bocchicchio-Chaudhri has been impressed with the participants' eagerness to engage with the topics each week, and the depths of the conversations we have had. In October we will talk about democracy, environmental justice, and feminism. There will be no Activist Kids Book Club on Saturday, October 31. By parent request, families only need to register once for the book club rather than registering separately every week. Interested families can register here.
Online Rozzie Reads Poetry and Open Mic
Thursday, October 22, 7 PM
Join Rozzie Reads Poetry on Zoom for our October 22nd event at 7:00 pm. Featured readers are Eileen Cleary and Yves Mary Jean. Poets can sign up for the open mic, too. Get on the list for a Zoom link by contacting [email protected].
Preschool Storytimes
Tuesdays, 4:30 PM
Children’s librarian Celeste Bocchicchio-Chaudhri continues to hold Preschool Storytime for ages 3-5 on Zoom every Tuesday at 4:30. During storytime, we read two or three books, sing songs, and do fingerplays that support early literacy skills. Preschool storytime is part of the Boston Public Library’s Future Readers Club, which encourages caregivers to sing, read, and talk with their little ones from birth on. You can register for the club, download an app to track books, and more on the future readers club website. Can you read 1,000 books with your child from birth to kindergarten?
Online Race and Inclusion Book Discussion:
So You Want To Talk About Race
Saturdays, November 7, 14, and 21
9:15 - 11 AM (Morning) or 2 - 3:45 PM (Afternoon)
We will discuss Ijeoma Oluo's book, So You Want To Talk About Race. Oluo guides readers of all races through subjects ranging from intersectionality and affirmative action to "model minorities" in an attempt to make the seemingly impossible possible: honest conversations about race and racism, and how they infect almost every aspect of American life. The discussion will happen on Zoom and will be led by local educator Josh Frank. You can get the book from bpl.org (which has a very LONG waitlist) or an online bookstore like Rozzie Bound, which will be donating ALL sales from this book to the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute, a Dorchester-based nonprofit that serves as "a center of healing, teaching, and learning for family and communities impacted by murder, trauma, grief, and loss." As a matter of fact, Rozzie Bound will donate all its proceeds from its "Racial Justice Bookshelf" to the Peace Institute. You can find the virtual shelf here: https://bookshop.org/shop/rozziebound.
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 "Ijeoma Oluo 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.
Hispanic Heritage Month Continues!
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, which ends on October 15, the latest offering on our virtual bookshelf at Rozzie Bound features books by Latinx authors or have Latinx characters for adults, teens, and children. The Friends will receive 20 percent of sale proceeds. Buy some books here: https://bookshop.org/shop/rozziebound
Our children's librarian Celeste has also put together booklists featuring Latinx characters for kids and teens that you can borrow from the BPL.
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.
Buy Bulbs, Support The Friends
We are fundraising with Dutch Mill Bulbs to earn money for art and other enhancements to our future renovated branch. All items are guaranteed to grow and bloom, and our group earns 50 percent of the profit on every sale. It’s easy! Make your selections, provide billing and shipping information, and enter the Friends in the group name. Please go to
https://groups.dutchmillbulbs.com/shop/?affiliates=friendsofroslindalebranch and you’ll be directed to our custom page. The items you select will be sent directly to the shipping address you provide, and shipping fees will be added to each order. You can even order and send as gifts to other addresses. Please place your order by October 30. Orders will begin shipping September 15.
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