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DISTINCTIVE
ASPECTS OF THE COLLECTION
The Roslindale Branch has a large collection of materials for use by young adults. In
addition the Branch has strong collections of plays, poetry, literary criticism, and
popular health materials. There is also a large ESL collection.
RECURRING
PROGRAMMING OFFERED
Toddlers Storytimes for children ages 2-3 are offered every
Thursday at 10:30 a.m. Preschool film programs are held every Monday
at 10:30 a.m. A Book Discussion Group for adults meets monthly year
round on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 10:30 a.m. ESOL
Conversation Groups for newcomers to this country who wish to practice
their English in an informal setting are offered every Monday from
10:30 a.m. until noon, every Wednesday from 6-8 p.m, and Saturdays
from 10:30 a.m. until noon; the Saturday group does not meet
mid-June to mid-September.
SPECIAL
PROGRAMMING OFFERED
Reading Readiness series for children 3-4 are offered in the spring and fall:
pre-schoolers learn basic concepts such as letters, numbers, shapes, and colors through
stories, songs, play activities and guest artists. A Summer Reading Club for children ages
6-12 is offered every year with crafts and performers. The branch has special
programs throughout the year featuring magicians, singers, puppet shows, storytellers, and
authors; it also sponsors plays, dance, music and science programs, as well as lectures on
such subjects as art, local history, and gardening.
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.
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