Sawyer Free Library

Sign up today for a tour of the Sawyer Free Library’s historic WPA Murals on Saturday, December 11!

~ Sawyer Free Library

As a part of the Middle Street Walk festivities, this Saturday, December 11th, professional Conservator, Lisa Mehlin, will be leading 15-minute tours of the Saunders House’s historic WPA Murals that are currently being restored at the Sawyer Free Library.  She will speak to both their history and the conservation process.

Registration for a time slot is required at sawyerfreelibrary.org

The grand murals located in the Saunders House, completed in 1934 by Fredrick L. Stoddard and Howard Curtis as a part of the Federal Art Project of the Works Progress Administration, are currently being restored by the Sawyer Free Library. Titled “Scenes of the Region,” the murals depict maritime culture against a backdrop of the agrarian life that supported the early settlement of Gloucester, capturing the activity of the busy working harbor with views of the distant rocky shoreline, the city, Rocky Neck, Ten Pound Island and also a simplified representation of Dogtown Common and old “Whale’s Jaw.”  

Learn more about the murals from conservator Lisa Mehlin. Fifteen-minute tours will be available from 10:00-12:00 pm.  Registration for a time slot is required at sawyefreelibrary.org.

Enter the Sawyer Free Library’s Historic Gloucester Gingerbread House Contest part of the 2021 Middle Street Walk Festivities on Sat 12/11

~ Sawyer Free Library

The Sawyer Free Library is excited to be hosting the 2021 Middle Street Walk Gingerbread Contest on Saturday, December 11.  All gingerbread houses are welcome, but this year the Library is offering a special “Samuel Sawyer Award” for the best gingerbread creation representation of a historic Gloucester building. Top prizes for the Historic Gloucester Gingerbread Houses include $100 and $50 Cape Ann Chamber Gift Certificates.  All Middle Street Walk Gingerbread House entries will be displayed at the Sawyer Free Library located at 2 Dale Avenue throughout the day.  Open to all ages, for more information including contest rules and to register, go to sawyerfreelibrary.org

Enter Historic Gloucester Gingerbread Contest at Library

As a part of the Middle Street Walk festivities, the Library will also have activities for all ages throughout the day celebrating the theme “Where the Past is the Present.” To follow are the highlights:

An exhibition of “Then and Now” photographs of Middle Street, including some buildings that are standing today. Archival photographs from Cape Ann Museum are juxtaposed with current photos of identical spots on Middle Street. Illustrating the side-by-side pictures will be a short description of the history of specific buildings with highlights including St. John’s Episcopal Church, the Unitarian Universalist Church, American Legion, Saunders House, and 57 & 87 Middle Street.  

Tours of the historic Saunders House WPA Murals with restorationist, Lisa Mehlin. The grand murals completed in 1934 by Fredrick L. Stoddard and Howard Curtis as a part of the Federal Art Project of the Works Progress Administration are currently being restored by the Library. Titled “Scenes of the Region,” the murals depict maritime culture against a backdrop of the agrarian life that supported the early settlement of Gloucester. Learn more about the murals and their restoration process from conservator Lisa Mehlin. Fifteen-minute tours will be available from 10:00-12:00 pm.  Registration is required. Register HERE.

From 10:30am -12:30pm Jazz Guitarist Steve Lacey will be playing jazz standards from the early 20th century to accompany the historic exhibits at Middle Street Walk.

The Children’s Library will host children, their families, and caregivers at 10 am for a morning of fun with craft-making inspired by nature.  Then at 12noon, all are invited to join a special presentation of Curious Creatures, an engaging introduction to live and exotic animals from around the world where you can learn about the animals, their habitats, biodiversity, and conservation.  Both events are open to children of all ages.  

All Sawyer Free Library Middle Street Walk activities are free and open to the public to enjoy. The Library is located at 2 Dale Avenue in Gloucester and will be open from 10 am – 5 pm.  For more information and to register, go to sawyerfreelibrary.org or call 978-325-5500.

Sawyer Free Library Kicks-Off Annual Appeal

~ Sawyer Free Library

The Sawyer Free Library has launched its 2021 Annual Appeal campaign,“Charting the Course.” Letters with appeal information are in the mail to over 1,500 Gloucester households. The goal is to raise $50,000 during this year-end campaign, which provides the Library with much-needed annual support. 

The Library relies on this yearly fundraising effort to provide a wide range of new collections and resources, technology, innovative programming, and critical services to respond to the changing needs of the Gloucester community.

Sawyer Free Library Annual Appeal

“The Sawyer Free Library’s mission is to be a place of learning, innovation, and creativity to support the community we serve. During this challenging time, we have learned that whether our Library services are delivered in a physical location or digitally, they’re not just “nice-to-haves” – these services are vital to our community,” said Mern Sibley, President of the Sawyer Free Library’s Board of Trustees. 

This year a record number of Sawyer Free Library users from near and far connected, learned, and experienced moments of comfort and joy, in-person and online. The Library offered hundreds of hours of responsive programming and learning opportunities for all ages. Strategic investments were made in the Sawyer Free’s digital device program, increasing the number of laptops, e-readers, tablets, and Wi-Fi hot spots available to patrons, especially those who needed connections for education and jobs. Its vast collection of e-books and audiobooks and online resources were also dramatically expanded.  Many new innovative and reimagined services emerge in response to the evolving landscape, including Digital Devices to Go, Job Seekers Resource Program, the Student Study Hall, Gloucester Connection, and more.

“Private support strengthens the Sawyer Free Library’s capacity to innovate and adapt to change, especially now as we move ahead and help our Gloucester community recover, rebuild and renew safely,” said Library Director Jenny Benedict. “Supporting the Annual Appeal makes the difference in helping job seekers, keeping kids on track for school success, assisting digital learners in finding their way in the online world, connecting newcomers and lifelong residents to current information about community services – and so much more.”

Donations to the Library’s Annual Appeal may be made by check to the Sawyer Free Library, Annual Appeal, P.O. Box 415, Gloucester, MA 01930, or online at www.sawyerfreelibrary.org.

Historic Gloucester Gingerbread House Contest registration now open!

~ Sawyer Free Library

REGISTER HERE to enter into the Historic Gloucester Gingerbread House contest at the Sawyer Free Library as a part of the MIDDLE STREET WALK on Saturday, December 11th!

Recreate your favorite Gloucester building with gingerbread, frosting, candy and all things delicious!

Entries will be on display for all to see at the Sawyer Free Library located at 2 Dale Avenue for the Middle Street Walk!

Top prizes will be presented by the Library for best historic Gloucester gingerbread creation!

  • First prize  $100 Cape Ann Chamber Gift Certificate
  • Second prize $50 Cape Ann Chamber Gift Certificate

Open to all ages. For more information and to register go to sawyerfreelibrary.org

Register Today

Sawyer Free Library honors long-time volunteer with prestigious community award

~ Sawyer Free Library

Each year, the Gloucester Lyceum and Sawyer Free Library recognize outstanding volunteers for their efforts and dedication to the Libary. Last week, the prestigious Mary M. Weissblum Volunteer Award was presented in memoriam to Sharon Pablo for her two decades of service to the Library. During that time, Susan served on the Board of Directors in several capacities and then remained actively involved with the Library for many more years. Her longtime partner, Roger Armstrong, accepted the award on her behalf during the Library’s Annual Meeting on Wednesday evening, November 10. 

“We are so honored to present Susan Pablo in memoriam with the Mary M. Weissblum Award,” said Assistant Library Director Beth Pocock in presenting the award. “Susan’s endless generosity of her time and willingness to share her vast expertise greatly helped to enrich the Sawyer Free Library and the lives of those who use and love it, for which we are most grateful.” 

The volunteer award was established in 2016 and named after Mary Weissblum, who served the Library tirelessly over four decades. With it, the Trustees of the Sawyer Free Library seek to recognize and show appreciation for the numerous volunteers who help maintain and promote the Library’s services and programs. 

Assistant Library Director Beth Pocock and Roger Armstrong at the Sawyer Free Library 

For more information about volunteering at the Sawyer Free Library, please visit sawyerfreelibrary.org

Public Invited: Sawyer Free Library Annual Meeting on Wed, 11/10 at 6pm

~ Sawyer Free Library

The Gloucester Lyceum and Sawyer Free Library Corporation will be hosting its Annual Meeting on Wednesday evening, November 10, at the Sawyer Free Library from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. The Corporator’s sign-in begins at 6:00 pm.

The public is invited and encouraged to attend this informative evening, although only Corporators can vote. Masks are required, and for those interested in participating remotely, a zoom link is also available. For more information click HERE

The Sawyer Free Library’s Annual Meeting will be from 6:30–8:00 pm on the main floor of the Sawyer Free Library located at 2 Dale Avenue in Gloucester. For more information visit SawyerFreeLibrary.org

Sawyer Free Library to host presentation “Gloucester Urban Renewal” by historian Beth Welin

~ Sawyer Free Library

The Sawyer Free Library will be hosting the first two-part series: “Urban Renewal in Gloucester,” presented by Beth Welin, local historian and director of Manchester Historical Museum, on Saturday, October 23 at 2 pm.

See images of old Gloucester and learn about the city’s history and redevelopment. Attendees are encouraged to share personal memories throughout the presentation.

Part two of the series will be Saturday, November 6 at 2pm. Registration is not required but mask are for all that attend.

For more details, go sawyerfreelibrary.org

Reading Together! Book Clubs at Sawyer Free Library

~ Sawyer Free Library

For those of us to like to socialize, the act of reading can feel a bit solitary. Fortunately, the Sawyer Free Library offers a range of book clubs to help make reading more of a social activity where you can connect with like-minded book lovers!

To join the fun, all you need is a library card! Book clubs’ featured books are available at the Sawyer Free Library’s Main Desk or, for most, download the eBook from OverDrive, Libby, or Hoopla.

Current groups include:

GLOBAL FORUM BOOK GROUP, Thursday, October 21, 6:30 pm at the Library Mezzanine

Join a lively discussion on international relations & history each month, moderated by Librarian Beth Pocock. October’s book is “Facing the Mountain” by author Daniel James Brown which tells the unforgettable story of the Japanese-American men who volunteered for the US Army’s 442nd Regimental Combat Team and displayed incredible courage on the brutal battlefields of Europe. Yet back home, their parents were being put in camps and stripped of their livelihoods, and fighting an equally brave battle in the courtroom. Peter King, director of the University of Mass Boston’s Asian American Studies Program, will join the group to discuss the book and the history of Asian-American prejudice on the Eastern seaboard.

Visit the Library or call to check out the book. Registration required, space limited.

BOOKS N’ BREWS, Tuesday, October 19, 6:00-8:00 pm
Here is your chance to get together, have an adult beverage, enjoy a meal and have a rousing discussion about the month’s great read. Books n Brews meets the third Tuesday evening each month, moderated by Librarian Mari Martin.

October’s Book is “The Cold Millions” by Jess Walter. The group will be meeting in person, place TBA. If the weather is inclement, the meeting will be over Zoom. Registration is requested. Email questions to mmartin@sawyerfreelibrary.org.

COOK-A-BOOK, Tuesday, November 9, 1:00 pm
Do you love to cook? Do you love to talk about food? Do you love to share food? If your answer is YES, then the Sawyer Free Library’s Cook-a-Book Book Club is for you! The group meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 1 pm in person in the SFL Amphitheatre or via Zoom if inclement weather.

Check out a cookbook from the Library or use a recipe from home and then get cooking. Bring your creation to the meeting for everyone to enjoy. The group will discuss the different recipes, what worked or didn’t in the preparation, cooking, and delicious things. Register online. Please email questions to mmartin@sawyerfreelibrary.org

Sawyer Free Library also has BOOK CLUBS TO GO!
The Library provides the books and the discussion questions so you can start your own book group. All you need to provide is a group of friends! Each kit contains 10 print copies, a large print copy or audiobook if available, and a reader’s guide of discussion questions. One member of your group will reserve and pick up the kit through our online booking system and distribute the books to everyone in the group. When your meeting is over, just collect all the books and return the kit to the Library. When you check out a kit, be sure to find a 25% discount coupon to use at The Cave so you can bring wine, cheese, and chocolate to your meeting. Go to sawyerfreelibrary.org to see and reserve the full list of titles available.

Local Author and Activist Kate Ranta to Speak At Sawyer Free Library putting a spotlight on Domestic Violence Awareness Month

~ Sawyer Free Library

Local Author to share her story of turning abuse and tragedy into transformation and triumph 

The Sawyer Free Library will present “Killing Kate: A Story of Turning Abuse and Tragedy into Transformation and Triumph,” Thursday, October 14, from 6:00 – 7:30 pm.

Manchester-by-the-Sea author KATE RANTA emerged from a severely abusive relationship to become a national leader in raising awareness about domestic violence. She will read passages and autograph copies of her book, “Killing Kate,” and engage in questions and answers about her first-hand experience of domestic and gun violence and her journey to empowerment in the aftermath. 

This important event hosted by the Sawyer Free Library is free and open to the public. Registration is not required. Copies of the book “Killing Kate” will be available. Face masks are mandatory for those attending. The Sawyer Free Library is located at 2 Dale Avenue in Gloucester. 

For more information about the event or other Sawyer Free Library offerings, visit sawyerfreelibrary.org.  

If you or someone you know may be at risk, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text “START” to 88788.