DISTINCTIVE ASPECTS OF THE COLLECTION
The Roslindale Branch has a large collection of materials for teens including an extensive graphic novel collection. In addition the Branch has strong collections in religion and spirituality, local history and health and children’s picture books. There is also a large ESL collection.

The Roslindale Branch is teamed with the Washington Irving Middle School and the Phineas Bates and Charles Sumner Elementary schools and the Roslindale Community Center as part of Mayor Menino’s Community Learning Initiative, a multi-department collaboration aimed at helping Boston’s youth reach their full potential by coordinating learning and recreation throughout the day.

RECURRING PROGRAMMING OFFERED
The Roslindale Branch offers afterschool programs and services to nine local schools. Preschool film programs are shown every Monday at 10:30 a.m. Through collaboration with T.H.O.M. Boston, a lap sitter and toddler story time for children is offered every Thursday at 10:30 a.m. A Book Discussion Group for adults meets monthly on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 10:30 a.m., an ESOL Conversation Group for newcomers to this country who wish to practice English in an informal setting is offered every Wednesday from 6-8 p.m., led by a skilled ESOL volunteer.

The Roslindale Branch is teamed with the Washington Irving Middle chool and the Phineas Bates and Charles Sumner Elementary and the Roslindale Community Center as part of Mayor Menino’s Community Learning Initiative, a multi-department collaboration aimed at helping Boston’s youth reach their full potential by coordinating learning and recreation throughout the day.

SPECIAL PROGRAMMING OFFERED

The Reading Readiness series, where children age 3-4 learn basic concepts such as letters, numbers, shapes, and colors through stories, songs, play activities and guest performances, is offered four times a year. A Summer Reading Club for children ages 6-12 is offered every year with crafts and performers. In collaboration with local business and community agencies such as Village Books, the Roslindale Arts Alliance and Roslindale Main Streets, the branch offers exhibits, music performances, author appearances and lecture and panel discussions on a broad range of topics throughout the year. The branch also is a cosponsor of local events through our coalition with the Community Learning Initiative, the Roslindale Adult Literacy Coalition and the Roslindale Leaders group, among others.

HISTORY
Library service has been provided to Roslindale since 1898. At that time, a book delivery station was located in a drugstore at the corner of Washington and Ashland Streets. It was open to take request for books and to deliver books requested from the Central Library. In 1900 the library was moved to the Old Taft's Tavern building. In 1918, having outgrown its quarters, the library moved to the Municipal Building at the Corner of Washington Street and Cummins Highway. When the municipal facility became outmoded plans were made to move the library again. At the corner of Washington and Poplar Streets was a fire house which was torn down for the new library site. In 1961, a semi-circular building with huge glass windows, topped with a low blue dome, was designed by Isidor Richmond and Carny Goldberg. Built on the fire house's thick foundation, the architects had to surmount the problems of a pentagonal-shaped lot and an underground brook.