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.