All Library locations will close Monday, January 20 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Earth Week Activities for Kids!

Join us for a week of virtual activities to celebrate Earth Day this year! From a virtual concert to craft ideas, we have something new every day to inspire and entertain families and kids ages 5-10. 

Tuesday, April 20 at 10:30 AM Earth Week Virtual Concert

Enjoy a morning full of music and dancing, courtesy of Elijah T. Grasshopper & Friends, that is the perfect virtual event for school vacation week. This concert is geared for kids ages 0-8, so grab the whole family and get ready to groove! This program will be streamed live on our Facebook page. Generously sponsored by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

 

Tuesday, April 20 Recommended Reading for Kids

Want to learn more about how to take care of the environment? Check out the following titles on our online catalog. You can also ask your favorite librarians for more recommendations using our online request form at brklib.com/getrecd.

 

Thank You, Earth: A Love Letter to Our Planet by April Pulley Sayre– This picture book includes wonderful photography capturing the Earth’s biggest and smallest details. Talk with the kids in your life about which part of our Earth they are most thankful for!

Yasmin the Recycler by Saadia Faruqui *Also available on Hoopla!- This series is great for emerging readers looking for a new character to love! Yasmin is a Pakistani-American girl who is sometimes scared to try new things, so each title features Yasmin tackling a new topic or hobby.

“Saving Our Planet” Series by Mary Boone *Also available on Hoopla!- This is an informative, nonfiction series for emerging readers looking to learn more about saving our planet. Covering topics like conservation, recycling, and sustainable agriculture, these factual books are a great conversation starter!

You Choose: Eco Expeditions *Also available on Hoopla!- This series is an intermediate-level, choose-your-own-adventure series focused on the environment. Go on rescue missions to save (or survive) different habitats in these fun books!

Elsie Mae Has Something to Say by Nancy J. Cavanaugh *Also available on Hoopla! – This middle-grade novel follows the story of Elsie Mae, a girl living in Georgia in the 1930’s, who turns to President Franklin D. Roosevelt to help protect her favorite swamp. Elsie’s passion and the historical-fiction setting will give you a glimpse into the past (and possibly, the future).

Wednesday, April 21 Nature Scavenger Hunt

Try going on a short walk in your neighborhood and see how many animals and objects you can find. Share a fun picture from your walk with us on social media, or by emailing us at brkyouth@minlib.net for a chance to win a special prize!

Animals and Objects to Find:

Cloud, Flower, Tree, Butterfly, Squirrel, Rock, Bird, Ant

 

Thursday, April 22 Nature Prints

Happy Earth Day! Try using objects like sticks, leaves, and stones instead of brushes to paint a picture. Share a fun picture of your creation with us on social media, or by emailing us at brkyouth@minlib.net for a chance to win a special prize!

 

What You Need:

-Paper
-Paint
-Objects from nature (leaves, sticks, rocks, etc.)

What You Do:

  1. Gather up all sorts of interesting nature objects – rocks, sticks, leaves, anything!
  2. Dip objects in paint
  3. Use them to make prints on the paper!

Friday, April 23 Cardboard City

Try using cardboard and paper from your recycling bin to build an elaborate cardboard city. Share a fun picture of your structure with us on social media, or by emailing us at brkyouth@minlib.net for a chance to win a special prize!

What You Need:

-Cardboard boxes (check your recycling bin!)
-Paper and/or paper bags
-Glue/Tape
-Scissors
-Drawing utensils

What You Do:

  1. Gather your boxes, or cut up some cardboard to make your own building shapes.
  2. If your box has a design on it, you might want to cover it up with some paper, or a paper bag.
  3. Draw fun designs right on the box, or on some paper and glue them to the box.

 

Saturday, April 24 Nature Hopscotch

Try using objects like sticks, leaves, and stones to create a hopscotch course on your driveway or sidewalk. Share a fun picture of your course with us on social media, or by emailing us at brkyouth@minlib.net for a chance to win a special prize!

What You Need:

-Objects from nature (leaves, sticks, rocks, etc.)

Optional: sidewalk chalk

What You Do:

  1. Gather up all sorts of interesting nature objects – rocks, sticks, leaves, anything!
  2. Make squares out of the straighter objects, like sticks.
  3. Place other objects, like rocks, inside the square to tell which direction you need to hop (or use chalk to draw numbers).
  4. Try hopping on one foot through your whole course!

National Poetry Month: Reading List



National Poetry Month

April is National Poetry Month, and we’re celebrating some of the great works of poetry in our collection. Check out our display and explore poetry for kids, tweens, teens, and adults!

Read

National Poetry Month: Featured Recommendations


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Looking for more resources? We have you covered. Check out our entire list of National Poetry Month recommendations. For more personalized recommendations, fill out our recommendation form.

Contactless Pickup Changes, Coming Soon

With Brookline’s COVID-19 risk status remaining in the green, plus the return of warmer weather, we’re excited to announce that all Library locations will eliminate the use of intercoms for contactless pickup, effective Friday, April 2.

What to Expect for Contactless Pickup Starting Friday

  • As always, you can come anytime during our hours. No appointment necessary.
  • You must wear a mask / face covering over your nose and mouth, even if you have been vaccinated.
  • Tell your name to the staff member at the doors.
  • Staff will grab your materials off our holds shelf and check them out for you.
  • Once staff have set your materials in front of the plexiglass, you can grab your items and leave.

If you’re homebound or unable to wear a mask, contact Mutual Aid Brookline to pick up your library materials for you.

Women’s History Month: Digital Book Display



Women's History Month

Celebrate Women’s History Month with our digital book display! We’re highlighting books and movies by and about women throughout history for readers of all ages. Each item is available through the Minuteman Library Network. All you need is your library card!

Read

Women’s History Month: Featured Recommendations


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Looking for more resources? We have you covered. Check out our entire list of Women’s History Month recommendations. For more personalized recommendations, fill out our recommendation form.

Tax Aid Resources 2021

We know your tax season might look a little different this year. That’s why we’ve compiled this list of local and national tax prep resources to help you along the way!

To Request Tax forms

Visit the IRS website for printable forms and schedules. Learn more about our free contactless printing services.
Call their local offices at 781-835-4350 or 617-316-2850.

Tax Aid Resources


ABCD Tax Assistance


Contact: 617-348-6000
Services: Remote Support


AARP


Contact: 888-227-7669
Services: Remote Support, Self-Preparation


Boston Tax Help Coalition


Contact: FreeTaxHelp@boston.gov
Services: Remote Support


Greater Boston Legal Services


Contact: 617-371-1234
Services: Remote Support


IRS Free File


Services: Remote Support, Self Preparation


Legal Services Center of Harvard Law School LITC


Contact: 866-738-8081
Services: Remote Support


Taxpayer Advocate Service


Contact: 877-777-4778
Services: Remote Support

Black History Month: Histories



Black History Month: Histories

We are celebrating Black History Month with weekly reading recommendation lists throughout February! This week we’re highlighting books about Black history for readers of all ages. Check out this week’s recommendations, or browse through our lists from previous weeks. Each book is available through the Minuteman Library Network. All you need is your library card!

Read

Black History Month: Histories — books, movies, and more which examine the history of Black people and their lives, including but not limited to Black Americans.


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Looking for more resources? We have you covered. Check out our entire list of Black History Month: Histories recommendations. For more personalized recommendations, fill out our recommendation form.

Black History Month: Biography and Memoir

Black History Month: Friendship, Family, and Romance

Black History Month: Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror

Black History Month: Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror



Black History Month: SciFi, Fantasy, and Horror

We are celebrating Black History Month with weekly reading recommendation lists throughout February. This list features works of science fiction, fantasy, and horror by Black authors for readers of all ages.

Read

Black History Month: Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror — books, movies, and more by Black creators with elements of science fiction, fantasy, or horror


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Looking for more resources? We have you covered. Check out our entire list of Black History Month: Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror recommendations. For more personalized recommendations, fill out our recommendation form.

Black History Month: Biography and Memoir

Black History Month: Friendship, Family, and Romance

Black History Month: Histories

Black History Month: Friendship, Family, and Romance



Black History Month: Friendship, Family, and Romance

We are celebrating Black History Month with weekly reading recommendation lists throughout February. This list features books about friendship, family, and romance for readers of all ages. Each book is available through the Minuteman Library Network. All you need is your library card!

Read

Black History Month: Friendship, Family, and Romance — books by or Black creators which celebrate friendship, family, and romance


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Looking for more resources? We have you covered. Check out our entire list of Black History Month: Friendship, Family, and Romance recommendations. For more personalized recommendations, fill out our recommendation form.

Black History Month: Biography and Memoir

Black History Month: Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror

Black History Month: Histories

Black History Month: Biography and Memoir



Black History Month: Biography and Memoir

We are celebrating Black History Month with weekly reading recommendation lists throughout February. This list features biographies and memoirs for readers of all ages. Each book is available through the Minuteman Library Network. All you need is your library card!

Read

Black Creators: Biography and Memoir — books by or about Black creators and their lives


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Looking for more resources? We have you covered. Check out our entire list of Black History Month: Biography and Memoir recommendations. For more personalized recommendations, fill out our recommendation form.

Black History Month: Friendship, Family, and Romance

Black History Month: Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror

Black History Month: Histories

Black History Month: Reading Recommendations

 

We are celebrating Black History Month with weekly reading recommendations throughout February! Check back each Monday for a new list of great books, comics, and more by Black authors. Each list contains recommendations for adults, teens, tweens, and kids in all different genres. To check out a list, simply click on the banner image below.

All of the books and movies listed here are available through the Library. Looking for more resources? We have you covered. Fill out our recommendation form.

Black History Month: Biography and Memoir

Black History Month: Friendship, Family, and Romance

Black History Month: Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror

Black History Month: Histories