In celebration Women’s History Month, the Sawyer Free Library asked several of Gloucester’s cultural, civic, and community women leaders to share books that they love or have inspired them, written by fellow women. The results are a mix of close to 100 titles, including classics, new discoveries, and more. To see the full list of What She’s Reading at SawyerFreeLibrary.org. Recommended books are available at Sawyer Free Library or are easily ordered from libraries in their consortium.
Illustration by Jane Mount
Mark your calendar, the Sawyer Free Library is hosting a virtual screening of the documentary“Left on Pearl”presented by The 888 Women’s History Project on Saturday, March 20 from 2-4pm. This special viewing will be followed by a panel discussion with the filmmakers, Susan Rivo and Iftach Shavit. “Left on Pearl,” tells the inspiring story of the highly significant but little-known event of the 10-day occupation of the Harvard-owned 888 Memorial Drive by grassroots feminist organizers during a 1971 International Women’s Day protest. With contemporary interviews, archival photos, and TV news footage, this lively documentary follows the movement as women vocalized the necessity of equal pay and access to child care, birth control, and many of the hopes, triumphs, conflicts, and tensions of Second Wave feminism. Registration through Library website for this event is required.
For more information about these programs and other Women History Month activities at the Sawyer Free Library visit: SawyerFreeLibrary.org
The Gloucester Lyceum and Sawyer Free Library (SLF) is pleased to announce the appointment of four new additions to its staff. Julie Travers has recently joined SFL as a new Community Librarian. Katelyn Rivela is the new Library Assistant in the Children’s Room, and Leah Svensson is the new Library Assistant at the 1st Floor Service Desk.Annemarie Sanfilippo was recently appointed to the position of Administrative Assistant. Also, Joann Dunajski was promoted to a newly created position, Library Public Technology Assistant.
“I am beyond pleased to welcome such an exceptional and experienced group of professionals to our dedicated and talented staff at the Sawyer Free Library,” stated Jenny Benedict, the Library Director. “Their innovative thinking, commitment to the community, and boundless enthusiasm will only help us better support our patrons of all ages, diverse and growing needs and connect them with ideas, information, the world of imagination, and each other.”
The recent vacancies at SFL arose due to three long-serving staff retiring, one taking a promotion at another library and one deciding to stay home with her infants.
New SFL Staff (Left to Right) Leah Svensson, Julie Travers, Joann Dunajski, Katelyn Rivela, and Annemarie Sanfilippo
Julie Travers brings her extensive library experience in adult fiction collection management and programming for diverse populations to her new position as Community Librarian. “As a lifelong lover of libraries, I’m so excited to contribute to the already vibrant library culture that exists here in Gloucester,” said Travers.” I look forward to bringing individuals across the community together for literacy and learning and developing the Library’s fiction collection.” She comes to Gloucester from the Swampscott Public Library, where she was the Head of Circulation. In addition, Julie coordinated innovative library programming in response to community needs, including the popular Librarians by the Sea Podcast and the Swampscott: Life in Quarantine project. Julie will be the Library’s community contact for newcomers and English language learners and work in partnership with Wellspring, Action Inc., Gloucester Housing, and Gloucester Public Schools
Children’s Room Library Assistant, Katelyn Rivela, comes to SFL from the Bigelow Free Library in Clinton, Massachusetts where she was an assistant children’s librarian. Before that, she worked as a substitute teacher in the Hudson Public Schools. She has worked with children of all ages and is passionate about fostering literacy through programming and readers’ advisory. She said, “My favorite part about the Sawyer Free Library is the sense of community felt between the staff and all the patrons. I hope to continue to make the Library feel like a fun and safe space that allows our wonderful patrons of all ages to keep exploring their passions, curiosities, and imaginations!”
A recent graduate from the University of Massachusetts Lowell with a Bachelor of Arts in English, Leah Svensson, the Sawyer Free’s new Library Assistant, has extensive experience and education in writing, editing, public relations, content marketing, social media, and literary analysis. Having grown up in Gloucester, Leah says, “I’m thrilled to become part of the Sawyer Free Library, a place that was a big part of my childhood, and have the opportunity to share my passion for literature while contributing to the supportive and enthusiastic atmosphere that the Library emanates.”
Annemarie Sanfilippo has recently stepped into the Library’s Administrative Assistant‘s vital role, where her support of the Library Director and Assistant Director is indispensable. A Gloucester native, she is thrilled to be back working in her hometown. Annemarie previously was an office manager for 14 years at Endicott College. “The opportunity to work at the Sawyer Free Library feels like somewhat of a homecoming for me,” Annemarie shared. “I am so pleased to be working with such joyful, engaged colleagues and helping to build on the Library’s outstanding service to my own community.”
Already a familiar and welcoming presence at SFL, Joann Dunajski has been promoted to Library Public Technology Assistant. Joann has extensive experience in teaching technology and a passion for serving the public. Her patience, encouragement, and humor have been proven to be a winning combination, supporting even the Library’s most reluctant learners. Besides providing one-on-one instruction for consumer and library applications, Joann will deliver basic technology instruction online. She will also configure and maintain the Library’s Digital Devices To Go collection. “I’m incredibly enthusiastic about this new position. I have always had a passion for technology, and I look forward to assisting our patrons in using public computers and routine use of various applications on the computers,” said Joann. “I also help maintain and promote the Library’s ever-growing digital device collection, including Chromebooks, Hotspots, eReaders, App Sampler Tablets, and PressReaders.”
Just as a reminder, the Sawyer Free Library is open for select onsite services, six days a week, Monday through Saturday, from 10 am to 5 pm, except for Thursday, when it is open from 12 to 7 pm. Visitors are requested to keep their visits to 30 minutes or less, and all visitors will be required to wear masks, practice physical distancing and all public spaces have limited capacities. The Library’s online services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at https://sawyerfreelibrary.org
Please join us via Zoom this Thursday, March 4th to hear from Dr. Shirley Pomponi, research professor, ocean explorer, and part-time aquanaut, as she describes her experience living in the underwater laboratory Aquarius for nine days in 2019. Dr. Pomponi was selected to participate in one of NASA’s Extreme Environment Mission Operations (NEEMO), testing out techniques and protocols for future space missions.
The Sawyer Free Library will be closed on Tuesday, March 2nd for a professional development day.
Both in-person and curbside services will be unavailable until the following day, Wednesday, March 3rd at 10am.
We are excited to use the knowledge and skills we develop to further improve our services at the Library!
If you expect to need computer services on this day, consider borrowing one of our Chromebooks and wireless hotspots or reach out to us for information about other services in the community.
Don’t forget that our databases, eBooks, and other online resources can be accessed 24/7 at www.sawyerfreelibrary.org
Join Katherine Dench, Mass Cultural Council’s granted apprentice to master shipwright Harold Burnham, as she chronicles her experience in taking part in the restoration process of the historic Sylvina W. Beal and wooden boat building – from sketch to launch.
ZOOM Links will be sent 1hr prior to virtually scheduled talks on the dates listed below:
7pm-8p | Thursday, March 11th | Thursday, April 8th | Thursday, May 13th | Thursday, June 10th
Tickets: $50. Click here to purchase tickets and learn more. All ticket fees and additional donations are tax deductible. Proceeds support Backyard Growers’ programs connecting low- to moderate-income households to fresh produce through school, backyard, and community gardens.
Join us for a LIVE virtual cook-along and fundraiser for Backyard Growers with Ken Duckworth. Ken is a renowned local chef and restaurateur. Since landing in Gloucester from Boston 16 years ago to open Duckworth’s Bistrot, Ken and his wife Nicole have created community at their restaurant through their relationships with their customers and partnerships with local farmers, fishers, and makers.
In this interactive cooking class, Ken will demonstrate how to prepare fish cakes with remoulade sauce inspired by Gloucester’s seafood traditions and the freshest ingredients.
Cook alongside Ken at home and enjoy a question and answer session with this seasoned chef. You will not need any fancy, specialized equipment or prior experience to take part in this interactive class. Attendees will receive a link to join the class as well as recipes and an ingredient list. Please consider shopping for your ingredients at Common Crow (200 Eastern Ave., Gloucester), a generous Backyard Growers partner.
GLOUCESTER, Mass. (February 17, 2021) – March 10, 2021 marks a year since the Commonwealth of Massachusetts declared a State of Emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Cape Ann Museum, in partnership with the City of Gloucester and LuminArtz, is presenting a temporary public art memorial from March 10 – 14 to acknowledge this important anniversary and commemorate the 35 individuals from Gloucester, 55 individuals from Cape Ann, and over 2,000 individuals from across Essex County who have died from the pandemic.
The Cape Ann Museum COVID-19 Memorial is comprised of three parts: a video art installation from LuminArtz, the Cape Ann Cairns Memorial, and the Gloucester Memorial Quilt. These interconnected projects seek to simultaneously humanize the unfathomably large number of deaths in the past year, place the deeply felt local losses in the broader national conversation, and provide a space for visitors to take steps on the long process of grief and healing. In recognition that the pandemic still continues, this memorial takes place outside at the Cape Ann Museum Green and is a temporary installation.
On Wednesday, March 10 at 6:00 pm, the Museum is presenting a Live-Streamed Virtual Memorial Ceremony that can be seen live on Facebook and YouTube. This virtual ceremony will serve as an opening for the Cape Ann Museum COVID-19 Memorial and a vigil for those lost. Due to current gathering restrictions, visitors will not be allowed onsite during the ceremony. Instead, they are encouraged to watch from home and visit the memorial in person afterwards.
The virtual ceremony will be comprised of local political representatives, community members, and artists including Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken, Senator Bruce Tarr, poet Caroline Harvey, musicians Brian King and Nathan Cohen, the Associated Clergy of Cape Ann, and representatives from the Cape Ann Museum.
Digital rendering of the LuminArtz Video Installation by Pamela Hersch
About the Cape Ann Museum COVID-19 Memorial
The three simultaneous projects that make up the Cape Ann Museum’s COVID-19 Memorial recognize the local, regional, and national realities of the pandemic in unique yet interconnected ways. Visitors can reserve free, timed entrance to see the memorial at the CAM Green from Wednesday March 11 – Sunday, March 14 between 12:30 – 8:00 pm.
The Gloucester Memorial Quilt was coordinated by the Cape Ann Museum and Roseanne Cody, Board Member on the Gloucester Council of Aging, at the request of Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken. This quilt memorializes the 35 Gloucester citizens who died as part of the COVID-19 Pandemic, some remain anonymous and others are personally identified by request of the families. The names were embroidered by Monograms by Diane out of Gloucester and the squares were quilted together by Ingrid Schillebeeckx-Rice, a member of the Burlington Quilters Guild. There is a long-standing tradition of quilts used to memorialize and comfort, most significantly the AIDs Memorial Quilt which was displayed for the first time in 1987 and continues to this day.
To commemorate the 55 individuals lost from across Cape Ann, Miranda Aisling, CAM’s Education Manager, will work with volunteers to build 55 cairns out of Cape Ann Granite in front of the White Ellery house. By request, the Museum will put small markers in front of a cairn to designate it for a specific individual who died of COVID-19. Unless personally requested, the cairns will remain anonymous, holding space for all those who have been lost from the region. The Museum encourages visitors to bring tokens of respect, traditionally small stones or flowers, which can be left on the cairns.
The Cape Ann Cairns and the Janet & William Ellery James Center will be illuminated by LuminArtz, a nonprofit that brings art to light collaborating with local artists, businesses, and the community to transform streetscapes into vibrant installations. Pamela Hersch, a Boston-based, multidisciplinary artist originally from Mexico, will create a video art installation that places the local COVID-19 deaths within the regional, state, and national context.
“Observing social distance practices to keep each other safe has left many of us wondering how we can process and acknowledge the tragic losses experienced locally, regionally, and internationally this past year,” says Oliver Barker, Director of the Cape Ann Museum. “Art and cultural institutions, so devastated by this tragedy, have a central role to play as we reopen in telling these stories and providing ways for all of us to grieve, remember, and heal. It’s our sincere hope that this memorial will help start that long process.”
The Cape Ann Museum encourages anyone who would like their loved one to be memorialized in these projects, or who would like to take part in constructing the Cape Ann Cairns on March 5 and 6, to reach out to Miranda Aisling at by email at education@capeannmuseum.org or by phone at 978-283-0455 x125. Family members and friends are asked to provide the name of the deceased as well as their town so that the Museum can make sure they are included in the applicable levels of the memorial.
LEAP for Education is offering a FREE 2021 Summer Internship Program for Gloucester Youth and Young Adults, and those from surrounding towns!
Work virtually on a project with a mentor/company where you will gain important workplace skills.
Receive school credit and a salary or $500 stipend for 9 hours of work per week for 6 weeks.
Start to build a resume for college and future endeavors – examples of projects include website design at a communications company; working on a Luminartz Labor Day light show event; marketing projects with a Vice President of marketing or local businesses; teen council/community representative for local nonprofits, positions at the Sawyer Free Library, teller positions at BankGloucester, internships at Halyard apartments, and many more.
Attend regularly scheduled Zoom workplace skills workshops on topics such as job interviewing, job hunting, and resume writing.
For more information, to set up an interview to discuss your interests, or to register, please email JoAnn Leavitt, Program Coordinator, at jleavitt@leap4ed.org
The Maritime Gloucester 2021 Winter Lecture Series goes virtual every Tuesday this March! This year’s roster focuses on the iconic vessel that defines our heritage and captures our hearts: The Schooner. With discussions of design, glimpses from past harbors, tributes to the fishing fleet and the men that drove it, and current legends that carry on the tradition…this lecture series goes in-depth with five entertaining and informative sessions.
We kick off the series on March 2, 2021 with Maritime Gloucester’s own Justin Demetri presenting Evolution of the Schooner: A Story in Half Hull. Presentation and Q&A to follow.
Cape Ann Community 