Virtual Events Coming up at the Boston Public Library

What: The Boston Public Library (BPL) is offering the following online events for audiences ranging from babies to seniors. Some events are purely for enjoyment; others are educational or career-oriented; still others are designed for health and fitness.

Who: Established in 1848, the BPL provides educational, cultural, and civic enrichment free to all through its collections, services, programs, and spaces. The BPL hosts thousands of free educational programs and provides free library services online and in-person to millions of people each year. To learn more, visit bpl.org.

Why: “Free to All,” the BPL is committed to providing as many resources and as much programming as possible while its locations are closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Who can Attend: Many events are accessible by anyone, anywhere. Some require a library card and/or a personal email account. People who do not have a BPL card can register for one at www.bpl.org/ecard. The events below are categorized by intended audience.

When: Friday, May 1 through Thursday, May 7, 2020 as specified below.

Where: All events can be accessed from the safety and comfort of home. They occur via various online platforms and applications, such as Facebook Live, YouTube, Zoom, Discord, and Twitch. Specifics appear below.

For Kids

May 4

Story Time Live on Facebook; 11-11:30AM; Ages 0-5

Join your favorite librarians from the comfort of your home as we sing, rhyme, move, and read.

www.facebook.com/BPLchildren

Livestream Preschool Story Time; 4-4:30PM; Ages 2-5

Join your favorite librarians from the comfort of your home as we sing, rhyme, move, and read.

www.facebook.com/bplroslindale

May 5

Story Time Live on Facebook; 10:30-11AM; Ages 0-5

Join your favorite librarians from the comfort of your home as we sing, rhyme, move, and read.

www.facebook.com/BPLchildren

Toddler Story Time; 11-11:30AM; Ages 1-3

Join your favorite librarians from the comfort of your home as we sing, rhyme, move, and read.

www.facebook.com/bplcharlestown

May 6

Facebook Live Story Time; 10:30-11AM; Ages 0-5

Join Ms. Barbara from the comfort of your own home for stories, songs, and finger plays.

www.facebook.com/bpljamaicaplain

Sing and Dance with Matt Heaton and Librarian Maija; 11-11:30AM; Ages 0-5

It’s Family Dance Party time. Join us for live music from Matt Heaton and dance moves by Librarian Maija.

www.facebook.com/BPLchildren

May 7

Online Story Time; 10:30-11AM; Ages 1-5

Join children’s librarian Caitlin for stories, songs, and movement from the comfort of your own home. You may want a scarf, small towel, or piece of cloth to use for certain songs.

www.facebook.com/bpleastboston

Facebook Live: Reader’s Corner; 3-3:30PM; Ages 6-12

Join us for librarian recommendations of e-books and e-audiobooks for children and families to enjoy. Ask us questions in the comments, and we may answer them in our next episode.

www.facebook.com/BPLchildren

Facebook Live Story Time: PJ Story Time; 6-6:30PM; Ages 1-5

Let’s have a pajama party! Join Librarian Rebecca for a live-streamed Pajama Story Time for toddlers and preschoolers.

www.facebook.com/BPLchildren

For Teens

May 4

Maker Mondays: Part of the BPL’s Virtual Teen Room; 2-5PM; Ages 13-18

Need help scratching that Maker itch during quarantine? Join our Teen Librarians and other teens to take a look at projects of our own design, get ideas for at-home crafts, and learn how to make stuff online. This drop-in event is hosted on the online chat platform Discord, downloadable for free at discordapp.com. Teens must email [email protected] before joining the program for the first time.

Contact Tracing & Privacy for Teens; 3-4PM; Ages 13-18

What is contact tracing? How does it slow the spread of COVID-19? How does it impact our privacy and security? Teens in grades 6-12 are welcome to join Teen Librarian Maty to learn the answers to these questions and more in our workshop on privacy during a pandemic. The Zoom link will be sent to registered teens prior to the event. Registration required at bpl.bibliocommons.com/events/5e9f24285ac6772f00102270.

May 5

Gamer Tuesdays: Part of the BPL’s Virtual Teen Room; 2-5PM; Ages 13-18

Looking to get good games, or to just get good? Join our Teen Librarians and other teens to discuss the latest releases, trends, and strategies for every system on the map, or participate in some light online gaming. This drop-in event is hosted on the online chat platform Discord, downloadable for free at discordapp.com. Teens must email [email protected] before joining the program for the first time.

The Grimm Escape: A Virtual Escape Room for Teens presented by Puzzle Break;

4-5:30PM; Ages 13-18

The Boston Public Library has partnered with the escape room company Puzzle Break to transport teens to The Grimm Escape, a 100% virtual escape room experience. Up to 12 teen participants will venture together to a fantastic land under a witch’s spell. Only by banding together can they hope to break the curse before the land is forever hexed. Designed for novice and experienced escape room enthusiasts alike. The Zoom link will be sent to registered teens prior to the event. Registration required at bpl.bibliocommons.com/events/5ea07b0f2b699a45005bfdc2.

May 6

Anime Wednesdays: Part of the BPL’s Virtual Teen Room; 2-5PM; Ages 13-18

Nande koto da! Iku zo! Join our Teen Librarians and other teens to discuss and share tastes, trends, and experiences with all things anime and manga with certified otaku. This drop-in event is hosted on the online chat platform Discord, downloadable for free at discordapp.com. Teens must email [email protected] before joining the program for the first time.

May 7

Jackbox Thursdays: Part of the BPL’s Virtual Teen Room; 2-5PM; Ages 13-18

Want a little more funny in your bones? Join our Teen Librarians and other teens live during BPL Teen Service’s weekly Jackbox Twitch stream. Come laugh with us from the comfort and safety of your home.

www.twitch.tv/BPLts

JP Teen Tarot Online; 3-4:30PM; Ages 13-18

Join JP Teens online for Tarot 101 with Jenn M. We’ll discuss the different cards in a 101 workshop, followed by a group reading. Space is limited to 10 teens in grades 6 through 12. Meeting details with be shared with confirmed participants. Registration required at bpl.bibliocommons.com/events/5ea73d2e9aad373a0089b630.

Adult Programs

May 5

Lunch Break Yoga; 12-12:30PM; Ages 18+ (Ages 13-18 also welcome)

Join us for a live-streamed gentle yoga class from Hands to Heart Center (HTHC). You can expect a beginner-level 30-minute yoga flow, with plenty of options and modifications for all bodies and ability levels. If you’re unable to tune in live, visit HTHC’s YouTube channel for recorded sessions.

www.youtube.com/channel/UCsJ5vreTeNxQ86s7fZtwbJQ

May 6

Ask a Pediatrician: Parenting in the COVID Era; 3-3:45PM; Ages 20+

Modern parenting is difficult enough, but COVID-19 presents new and difficult barriers to child education, health, and safety. This forum allows families to talk with pediatricians from local hospitals through an interactive online session. This session will focus on positive parenting, behavioral issues, and media use during the pandemic. Email your related questions or concerns in advance to [email protected].

Adult Learning

May 4

Envisioning The Route: On Poetic Imagination; 6:30-8PM; Ages 20+

City of Boston Poet Laureate Porsha Olayiwola leads this playful and generative writing workshop inspired by Italo Calvino’s lecture on visibility and using work from Kevah Akbar, Sarah Borjas, and Brigit Pegeen Kelly. The session will call for participants to exercise their imaginations to find the route to a poem, it’s content and its form. Registration required at bpl.bibliocommons.com/events/5e9094d7d77e552400928831.

May 6

Online Intermediate ESL Class; 1-2PM; Ages 20+

This class will provide time to practice speaking and listening. Each week, participants will discuss a new topic, and the teacher will provide instruction on the reading, vocabulary, and writing parts of the lesson to do at home. For more information and to register for the class, contact the instructor at [email protected], or call 617-859-2446.

May 7

Online ESL Reading and Discussion Class; 11AM-12PM; Ages 20+

This class is designed for adult English Language Learners with some English experience. We will read aloud a news article or short story, review new vocabulary from the reading, and discuss the article/story content. To register, please email [email protected] or [email protected], or leave a message at 617-859-2446.

For the full list of events, visit: https://tinyurl.com/BPLvirtualevents

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