Sawyer Free Library

New York Times Bestselling Author of Ordinary Grace: Author Talk with William Kent Krueger on 4/27 at 8pm

~ Sawyer Free Library

The Sawyer Free Library invites you to a riveting hour online with New York Times bestselling author William Kent Krueger! Join us on Thursday, April 27 from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. as he discusses his newest book in the Cork O’Connor series Fox Creek and his other works. 

This is a virtual event. Registration is required. Click HERE to register.

Fox Creek follows Cork O’Connor in a race against time to save his wife, a mysterious stranger, and an Ojibwe healer from bloodthirsty mercenaries. The ancient Ojibwe healer Henry Meloux has had a vision of his death. As he walks the Northwoods in solitude, he tries to prepare himself peacefully for the end of his long life. But peace is destined to elude him as hunters fill the woods seeking a woman named Dolores Morriseau, a stranger who had come to the healer for shelter and the gift of his wisdom. Meloux guides this stranger and his great niece, Cork O’Connor’s wife, to safety deep into the Boundary Waters, his home for more than a century. Meanwhile, in Aurora, Cork works feverishly to identify the hunters and the reason for their relentless pursuit, but he has little to go on. He knows only too well that with each passing hour time is running out. But his fiercest enemy in this deadly game of cat and mouse may well be his own deep self-doubt about his ability to save those he loves.

About the Author: Krueger writes a mystery series set in the north woods of Minnesota. His protagonist is Cork O’Connor, the former sheriff of Tamarack County and a man of mixed heritage—part Irish and part Ojibwe. His work has received a number of awards, including the Minnesota Book Award, the Loft-McKnight Fiction Award, the Anthony Award, the Barry Award, the Dilys Award, and the Friends of American Writers Prize. 

Ordinary Grace, his stand-alone novel published in 2013, received the Edgar Award, given by the Mystery Writers of America in recognition for the best novel published in that year. The companion novel, This Tender Land, was published in September 2019 and spent nearly six months on the New York Times bestseller list. His last nine novels were all New York Times bestsellers. He’s been married for nearly fifty years to a marvelous woman who is a retired attorney. He makes his home in St. Paul, a city he dearly loves.

This is a virtual event. Registration is required. Click HERE to register.

Questions? Contact: moneill@sawyerfreelibrary.org or 978-325-5562.

Earth Day Celebration with Ms. Frizzle of the Magic School Bus on Saturday, April 22nd!

~ Sawyer Free Library

Join the Sawyer Free Library in celebrating Earth Day with Ms. Frizzle of the Magic School Bus! Together we will be planting, gardening, and learning about ways to protect the environment on Saturday, April 22 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

This interactive event will be held at 70 Middle Street, Trinity Church, which is located right behind the main library.

No registration is needed. Fun for families of children ages 3 and up.  

Questions? Contact: crosso@sawyerfreelibrary.org or 978-515-6349.


Open Playtime for Babies and Toddlers at SFL@21Main Street on Thursday Mornings

~ Sawyer Free Library

Starting this week, on Thursday mornings from 10:30 to 11:30 am, the Sawer Free Library will be hosting Open Play at SFL@21MainStreet.

This unstructured open play for little ones and caregivers is an opportunity for social interaction and a nurturing way to introduce the very young to the library. Books and toys will be provided for caregivers to interact with their little ones and are best suited for ages 0-2. No registration needed.

Questions? Contact: jvitale@sawyerfreelibrary.org or 978-325-5505.  

Springtime Literary Party at SFL@21 Main Street – Thursday evening, April 20th

~ Sawyer Free Library

Come and join us at the Sawyer Free Library at 21 Main Street in downtown Gloucester for some springtime literary fun on Thursday, April 20th.

From 5:15 – 6:15 p.m. local harpist Moira Kelly will be sharing festive musical entertainment while refreshments are provided.

Then at 6:15 p.m. local Irish author Robert T. McMaster will be introducing his latest novel, Rose of Glenkerry: A County Wicklow Mystery via Zoom, the virtual presentation will be broadcasted at SFL@ 21 Main Street location for all to enjoy.

Though registration is not required, the first three to fill out a registration form HERE will receive a free copy of the book! 💐

Questions? Visit SawyerFreeLibrary.org.


The Young Gloucester Scientist’s Club Presents: ASTRONOMY APRIL

~ Sawyer Free Library

Friday, April 14, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

YGSC: Solar System Explorers – The Young Gloucester Scientists Club is hosting a live virtual interactive journey through our Solar System with experts from Christa McAuliffe Center at Framingham State University. This program is suitable for 4th-8th graders. Registration is required to receive the link. This program is virtual, should a device be needed reach out to Teen Librarian Marisa.

Tuesday, April 18 – Friday, April 21 

Astronomy Take & Make Universe in a Jar – a take home kit for tweens and teens with hands on astronomy activities. For students in grades 4-8.  Registration is required for each child individually. Pick up begins Tues, and continues through Friday. 

Friday, April 28, 8:00 to 9:00 p.m.

YSGC Field Trip: Star-Gazing at Halibut Point State Park – SFL’s Young Gloucester Scientist Club is hosting an evening of night-sky observations with the Gloucester Area Astronomy Club.  Students, grades 4th through 8th, and their families, will use telescopes, chat with experts and do some hand-on astronomy activities at this late-night Field Trip to Halibut Point State Park located at 4 Gott Ave, Rockport, MA. Registration is required. 

Questions? Contact Teen Librarian Marisa Hall at mhall@sawyerfreelibrary.org or 978-325-5549.

Teen Art Collage Project on view at SFL@21 Main Street

~ Sawyer Free Library

Every ninth grader at Gloucester High School is represented in the Tween | Teen Zone at SFL @ 21 Main Street with squares they designed to ‘speak’ for themselves.

The public is invited to come and see this beautiful collaborative collage!

The students participated in this collaborative art activity as part of a Library Information Session that Gloucester High School coordinated by SFL Teen Librarian Meg O’Neil and GHS Librarian Samantha Teixeira.

During Teen Librarian Meg’s visits to Gloucester High School, she had an opportunity to share all about library resources and facilities, ensuring that all students have an SFL card and know about the Tween and Teen Zone as a free, public, safe community space.

For more information about the SFL Tween/Teen Zone at www.sawyerfreelibrary.org or visit Sawyer Free Library at 21 Main Street, Gloucester.

Sawyer Free Library & Treetop Yoga present Yoga for Children at Treetop Yoga – starting this Tuesday!

~ Sawyer Free Library

Sawyer Free Library‘s Children’s Services presents Storytime Yoga for children 5 and under with Erin McKay of Treetop Yoga.

This free program will be held, starting this week, on the first TUESDAY of the month: April 4, May 2, & June 6 at 10:45am at Treetop Yoga Studio located at 3A Pond Road in Gloucester.

Register HERE for this joyful morning exploring stories, movement and fun at Treetop Yoga Studio at sawyerfreelibrary.org.

If you have questions, visit SawyerFreeLibrary.org or contact: jvitale@sawyerfreelibrary.org or 978-515-6349.


Poetry and Popcorn at SFL @ 21 Main Street

~ Sawyer Free Library

All Gloucester Teens are Invited THIS WEEK: M-F afternoons 3-4p.m.

April is National Poetry Month AND the Sawyer Free Library is hosting its annual Poetry without Poetry Contest until May 14.

To get local teens’ poetic creative juices flowing, the Library is hosting a series of “Poetry and Popcorn” writing workshops. From Monday, April 3 through Friday, April 7, anytime between 3:00 and 4:00 pm, all teens are invited to SFL at 21 Main to enjoy popcorn and an afternoon of poetry writing.

Munch on popcorn (and lollipops, too!) and write your poems, or join Community Librarian Mrs. O’Neill in creating spatial poetry in which together you will reimagine maps, consider issues of place naming, and develop a renewed understanding of place and belonging.

Drop into SFL @ 21 Main Street this week at any time between 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. Registration is not required. If you have questions, visit sawyerfreelibrary.org or contact moneill@sawyerfreelibrary.org or 978-325-5562.