Celebrating 150 Years with 150 New Friends
For 150 years, the West Roxbury Branch Library has brought our community together to learn, discover, and connect. It has welcomed generations of readers, sparked countless imaginations, and remained a cornerstone of our neighborhood.
As we celebrate this remarkable milestone, we're looking ahead not just to the next year, but to the next 150 years.
That's why the Friends of the West Roxbury Branch Library are inviting 150 people to become one of our "150 Friends.
Welcome to the Friends of the West Roxbury Library
The Friends is a volunteer 501 (c)(3) organization that raises funds to provide and enrich adult and children’s programming, enhance the physical space and gardens of the library, and promote awareness of library events and services.
Upcoming Events
Gary Brierley (Dr. Mole) & the history of the Hoosac Tunnel in 1875
October 17 | 2 PM | West Roxbury Branch Library | Community Room
$1 Used Book Sale
October 24 | 9am-5pm | October 26 | Noon-7pm
West Roxbury Branch Library | Community Room
Browse hundreds of gently used books for adults, teens, and children, all for just $1 each. Whether you're searching for fiction, mysteries, biographies, cookbooks, history, or children's favorites, there's something for every reader. All books are just $1 and all funds raised will go directly to supporting programs and materials for the West Roxbury Branch Library. Note: This event is cash only.
Smack Dabs Music Performance
November 7 | West Roxbury Branch Library | Community Room
The Smack Dabs specialize in good-time Swing Blues music from the 1930s, featuring the songs of Tampa Red, Big Bill Broonzy, The Harlem Hamfats, and many others.
This delightful and timeless genre features a rich variety of musical styles, ranging from mournful blues to joyful celebrations, setting the stage for incredible solo and group improvisations and delighting audiences and dancers alike.
The 1930s were halcyon days for Swing music, but not just for the likes of big bands like Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Jimmy Lunceford, and the Dorsey Brothers. There were literally hundreds of small Swing combos from trios to octets, each with its own unique take on the music that dominated the market during the height of the Great Depression.
The Smack Dabs’ sound is influenced by a mélange of musical styles. The band gets its instrumental configuration from Tampa Red and his Chicago Five, improvisational vitality from the small Black Swing combo, and swagger from risqué Blues.
The Fourth Annual Meet and Greet (and Eat!)
November 16 | 5 PM | Remarks at 5:30 PM
West Roxbury Branch Library | Community Room
Join the Friends and our neighbors to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the West Roxbury Branch Library! All attendees can enjoy free food & drinks, community fellowship with local library lovers, and learn more about the history of our unique library and how to get involved with future Friends events.
While we're honoring the past, we’re also excited about the next 150 years. Any gift helps ensure that the Friends can continue to support innovative programs, collections, special events, and enhancements that keep the West Roxbury Branch Library a vibrant and welcoming resource for everyone. There will be opportunities to give at the event, but a donation is not required to attend. All are welcome!
Film Screening & Directors Q&A
‘Dukakis: Recipe for Democracy’
December 5 | 2-4 PM | West Roxbury Branch Library | Community Room
The award winning short documentary Dukakis: Recipe for Democracy catches up with Massachusetts’ longest-serving and Brookline-born Governor three decades after he ran for the presidency. Still an active public servant, in the film Michael Dukakis teaches and mentors budding leaders as a college professor. He also chairs a commission to connect Boston’s North and South rail stations – a project he has backed since the 1970s. Q&A with the directors will follow the screening.
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