Blog
Sep 01

September 2018 Library News and Events

Back-To-School-Book-DisplaySeptember 2018 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, September 3 in observance of Labor Day.   Call the branch at 617-323-2343 for more information.   Learn more at friendsofroslindalelibrary.org.

Book Discussion: The New Jim Crow
September 8, 15, 22 & 29
9:15 - 11 AM
We will discuss Michelle Alexander's thought-provoking book on the intersection of American history, criminal justice, race, and mass incarceration in America.  We will learn and share resources during the sessions. The discussion will be led by local educator Josh Frank and books are available to borrow from the Roslindale Library on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Come to Explore (and even TRY) Software Development!
Thursday, September 13, 6:30-8 pm 
Limit to 15 people. Please RSVP at the library or at [email protected].  Let us know if you have a laptop you can bring. This is an introductory session that will briefly cover front end, back end, and mobile development.  More in-depth instruction will be planned depending on interest from the community.

Islam 101 with Hoda Elsharkawi
Thursday, September 27, 6:30-8 pm
The Friends invited Hoda Elsharkawi to participate in an informal community discussion about Islam and women in Middle Eastern culture. This will be followed by a Q & A afterward.  Sister Hoda Elsharkawi is a long-standing and respected member of the Muslim community in Boston. For more than two decades, she has led youth study circles, women support groups, adult Islam 101 classes and has also been involved in interfaith outreach, teaching, and counseling.

Knit/Crochet Circle
Wednesdays, 1:30-3 pm
Come to the library to craft and have pleasant conversation with your neighbors in this weekly drop-in social group. All levels of skill are welcome.

Creative Drama with Ann Adams
Tuesdays September 18 & 25, 4-5 p.m
For ages 7-12

Adult Book Club
Thursday, Sept 20, 1:30-2:30 pm
We will be discussing The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl by Timothy Egan.  Refreshments will be served and newcomers are always welcome.

Cub Scout Recruitment
Thursday, September 20, 6-7:45 pm

Girl Scouts Information Session
Tuesday, September 25, 4:30-6 pm

Rozzie Reads Poetry and Open Mic
Thursday, September 27,  7 - 9 pm
Roslindale House, 120 Poplar Street
Featured poets: Preston H. Hood III and Elizabeth Quinlan

Roslindale Village Farmers Market Book Sales
Saturday, September 29, 9 am - 1:30 pm, Adams Park
We will have a good mix of fiction and non-fiction for adults, teens, and kids!    Anyone interested in helping at the Friends bookstall at the Farmers Markets on September 29, please email [email protected].

Kaleidoscope Collaborative Book Exhibit
Thru September  
Opening Reception, Thursday, Sept. 6, 6-8 pm

Note: We will NOT be having Homework Assistance Program this school year due to our upcoming renovation.

Weekly Children's Programming

Preschool Movies (except Sept 3)
Mondays, 10:30 am

Toddler Time (except Sept 4)
Tuesdays, 10:30 am

Lego Club (starting Sept 13)
Thursdays  4:30-5:30  p.m.

Weekly Adult Programming

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

Spanish Conversation Group
Saturdays, 11 am - 12 pm

Coming Soon!

Evicted
Book Discussion
October 13, 20 & 27

Crochet Class
October 20

Dia de los Muertos
Celebration
October 27

Busing in Boston
Podcast Discussion
November 3 & 10

Posada Navideña
December 15

Library Garden Update
At the last meeting about the library renovation plans, it was announced that the front garden will be removed and replaced by a ramp that will improve access to the building. As part of the demolition, all the plants in that garden were going to be discarded. In order to save as many of those plants as possible, members of Roslindale Green & Clean, with a lot of volunteer help from first-year students at Boston University, removed most of the plants from the garden in front of the library yesterday.

Roslindale Green & Clean was instrumental in planting the garden and has maintained it ever since. They moved most of the plants to two of its other gardens in the square. The Korean lilacs, fothergills, and some of the lavenders were moved to Alexander the Great Park.  The other perennials and as many of the bulbs as possible (daffodils and alliums) were moved to the garden at Taft Hill Terrace, opposite Wallpaper City. The yews will be left in place and the clematis may be donated to the urban wild off of Poplar Street.

Barracoon Book Review
Friends Treasurer Talia Whyte wrote a review of Zora Neale Hurston much-anticipated book, Barracoon: The Story of the Last “Black Cargo.”

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].

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 Hispanic Heritage
Hispanic Heritage Month begins on September 15.  Here is a list of books either written by prominent Hispanic authors and/or about the Hispanic American experience.

Banned Books Week 2018
The American Library Association Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) promotes awareness of challenges to library materials and celebrates freedom of speech during Banned Books Week, which takes place this year September 23 - 29.  Here are the top ten most challenged books as reported in the media and submitted to ALA by librarians and teachers across the country in 2017.

Words of Wisdom

Whoever controls information, whoever controls meaning, acquires power. – Laura Esquivel

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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